Alright – so today we’ve got the honor of introducing you to Daria Amato. We think you’ll enjoy our conversation, we’ve shared it below.
Daria , thanks for joining us, excited to have you contributing your stories and insights. Can you talk to us about a risk you’ve taken – walk us through the story?
I moved from a professional life centered around the metropolis of NYC to the Wilmington area of NC in February of 2021. Covid -19 had put my business on hold as it did for most in the northeast. I had always wanted to move closer to the beach and in a warmer climate, so it seemed like the writing was on the wall to bust a move. So I and my family did. I hunkered down the first year I was here cold calling ad agencies and magazines, joining a bunch of networking groups and gave away free stories I wrote with accompanying photographs. Basically I became a marketing machine and it paid off.
Awesome – so before we get into the rest of our questions, can you briefly introduce yourself to our readers.
I have been a professional commercial photographer since I was 16yrs. old. I started out shooting live music venues and musicians marketing materials, press releases and cd cover art. But at that time fashion photography had its hooks in me and I was also shooting modeling portfolios for individuals as well as portraits for professionals in business. I always had the entrepreneurial spirit and loved a good challenge. I never refused a job no matter what genre of photography it was in as I was addicted to the act of taking and processing photographs.
I went straight from high school into the photography, BFA program at the School of Visual Arts, in NYC where I spent 4 years focusing on fashion and portrait photography all the while assisting professional photographers and shooting commercially for myself.
I think something that sets me apart from others is my tenacity and willingness to be a beginner. This combination has served me well in learning and exploring new avenues in the world of photography. If there was a photographer I wanted to work for, I would pursue them until they hired me. If there was a problem to solve I was happily knee deep in it.
In 1990 I desperately wanted to work for Patrick Demarchelier, he was at the top of his career and extremely busy that he was only using assistants with loads of experience and I wasn’t there yet. I was momentarily discouraged when told that by his studio manager Wendell, but did not let that deter me. Instead I camped out on the studios front stoop for a week and whenever Wendell came out I would walk and talk to him about why they should hire me. After the weekend when Wendell found me on the stoop again on Monday he belly laughed and told me I had won him over.
Wendell got me in to observe and help on one of Patrick’s photoshoots. At the end of day Wendell told me that I had impressed them both and then he did me one better by getting me a one on one portfolio review with Patrick. One take away from that meeting was that I understood I had the moxie to do anything I focused on and I have spent my whole career in that pursuit.
That mindset allowed me to grow the confidence to pursue many genres of photography. I have photographed for a wide range of editorial, advertising, company branding for small and large businesses, and corporate clients. I am an avid storyteller of portrait, lifestyle images, food, and travel photography and I have been branching out into video.
I have a wide interest palate and pursue them intensely which has lead me to many different interconnecting pathways in my photography career from working in magazine and book publishing, coaching new photographers and teaching.
We often hear about learning lessons – but just as important is unlearning lessons. Have you ever had to unlearn a lesson?
It’s not so much as a lesson that I had to unlearn as it is a practice to not be lead by my own ineffective habituated habits. There are so many intricacies in my field, so many details that sometimes it’s easy to become rigid in ways of thinking or processing or doing. So staying flexible and open to the creative processes or working with other egos in the room or business management styles is humbling as well as educational.
Any stories or insights that might help us understand how you’ve built such a strong reputation?
The long answer is Time. I have been dedicated to my craft since the first time I picked up a camera to now 35+ years later. I am so thankful of all the people that I have learned from and worked with along the way. The short answer is Me. I have crafted my character, attitude, professionalism intentionally. I give 100 percent all the time no matter a small or big job. I come to all shoots joyful, excited and ready with ideas as well as kicking ideas with others in the room and eager to push the envelope. I love every single fiber of what I do and I show it. I offer constant and consistent reliability. I know from practice that when I do this the rest follows. Lastly I’d like to give a shout out to my Beautiful Mother for being my number 1 cheerleader with her undying support and love. Thanks Mom you help make all things possible.
Contact Info:
- Website: www.dariaphoto.com
- Instagram: @dariaamatophotographer
- Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/daria-amato-photographer-81a9945/
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PcHb1HQTTIY
Image Credits
Daria Amato Photographer