Alright – so today we’ve got the honor of introducing you to Danney Paul. We think you’ll enjoy our conversation, we’ve shared it below.

Danney, thanks for joining us, excited to have you contributing your stories and insights. The first dollar you earn is always exciting – it’s like the start of a new chapter and so we’d love to hear about the first time you sold or generated revenue from your creative work?

Thats the trick isn’t it?! Earning money doing what you love. I can’t remember when I got my first dollar doing what I love. There were so many first dollars. There was the first dollar doing music, then acting, editing, filming, etc.

The first dollar I earned from my creative work was simply money that I was given while performing music in public. I wasn’t busking, I had played a show in West Hollywood earlier that night and I had to take the bus home to the valley. That night this particular bus was packed solid. I had my guitar which only took up space on an already crowded bus. Several people on the bus quickly took notice to me and insisted that I “play something”. Next thing I knew, I was playing and singing with half the people on the bus all the way home. I received some money that night from some of the bus riders and that was the first time I made money.

Danney, before we move on to more of these sorts of questions, can you take some time to bring our readers up to speed on you and what you do?

It’s very easy to get into the business or any creative field that you strive to be in. Just start doing it. James Cameron one said in an interview that if you want to be a Director/filmmaker then go make your own movie and then you are a filmmaker. It’s as simple as that. You might not be doing what you want to do on a scale that you imagine but all of those things will come in time if you are consistent and dedicated to it. I myself have chosen to work in several fields being the jack of all trades that I am.

I am mostly known in the stand-up comedy community as a photographer and musician. Every now and then I can be found singing silly songs but not doing traditional stand-up. I very often do headshots for actors, comedians and artists. I also shoot comedy events and indeed all types of events. Video work is also a big piece of it.

I think being involved with several fields and being capable of several different applications makes anyone stand out. It also diversifies the people and creatives that have knowledge of your work and what you can do.

How can we best help foster a strong, supportive environment for artists and creatives?

I thing the best thing society can do to support artists and creatives is to stay out of the way as much as possible. Support and resources are necessary completely. In a perfect world, society isn’t tearing itself apart and is also economically balanced. That means enough resources for the artists and creatives. Not necessarily unlimited resources or tons of money, I believe that tons of money is a perfect way to ruin creativity and art. There is a balance, but as long as artists and creatives are left alone and properly supported, the system will be beautiful.

What do you think is the goal or mission that drives your creative journey?

Aside from making a living with your creative/artistic endeavors, I believe that many of us desire to do something that will stand the test of time. Immortalization in some way is the goal. To do something that will live on so people 200 years from now will know who you are and become connected with you. To leave something behind that people will want to preserve and protect because it inspires and touches them.

Contact Info:

• Instagram: @danneypaul
• Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@danneypaul

Image Credits

Danney Paul