We’re excited to introduce you to the always interesting and insightful Darren Flores. We hope you’ll enjoy our conversation with Darren below.
Darren, looking forward to hearing all of your stories today. Do you take vacations? How do you keep things going – any advice for entrepreneurs who feel like they can’t step away from their business for a short vacation?
Early in my career, I didn’t prioritize making time for myself. I became so consumed by my daily routine and responsibilities that I overlooked the importance of self-care and rest. Eventually, this led me straight into burnout. It’s incredibly easy to get caught up in the rhythm of everyday life and keep pushing yourself without pause. However, I’ve learned that consistently neglecting your own well-being will eventually catch up with you. Taking deliberate breaks and setting aside time to get away and recharge is essential. My wife and I try to get away as often as we can. Even if it’s for a day or two on a weekend, we’ll pack up the truck and our three terriers and hit the road.
Great, appreciate you sharing that with us. Before we ask you to share more of your insights, can you take a moment to introduce yourself and how you got to where you are today to our readers.
From an early age, magic was my first passion. Receiving my first magic trick around eight years old sparked an enduring passion, which eventually led me to perform as a magician throughout high school and college at parties and restaurants. My enthusiasm for storytelling and illusion naturally transitioned into film and photography, prompting me to pursue a Bachelor of Fine Arts degree in Writing and Directing at the University of Colorado Denver.
After graduating, I moved to Las Vegas in 2009, landing my first post-college role at Zappos.com as “The Video Magician,” where I produced engaging video content highlighting the company’s vibrant culture. My career continued to evolve as I joined a tech start-up, directing their video production efforts, before deciding to freelance full-time. I founded Magic Moving Pictures, a creative venture combining my passions for magic, video, and photography. Although freelancing presented ups and downs, I loved the thrill of the creative journey.
Seeking more stability while maintaining Magic Moving Pictures on the side, I accepted a role as “Creative Ninja” at a social media agency, crafting compelling social content for diverse clients. One of our big jobs at this agency was working with Bill Foley and his Vegas Wants Hockey team to drive their social media marketing, social management, social content and help sell season tickets to an pro team and arena that didn’t exist yet. That was an extremely fun and rewarding project. Next, I served as lead video editor at a creative agency, expanding my expertise by writing, directing, producing, and editing videos and photography across varied industries, including commercials, music festivals, musicians, television, hospitality, culinary, and non-profit organizations.
When the pandemic resulted in the agency closing down, I pivoted back to freelancing full-time with Magic Moving Pictures, editing videos remotely from home. After 13 incredible years in Las Vegas, my wife and I decided to return to my roots, relocating back to Colorado, where I’ve found a new passion, the piano, and am continuing my creative journey in video, photography, and magic.
Can you open up about a time when you had a really close call with the business?
One of the biggest challenges I faced while running over the years is burnout, and it wasn’t because of a single moment or near-miss—it was a gradual buildup from consistently neglecting myself and my mental health. Early on, I didn’t make time for breaks, vacations, or even simple days off. I became so absorbed in the routine and work, that stepping away seemed impossible.
Eventually, this constant grind took a serious toll. The passion I once had for film and photography began to fade. There were moments I was so exhausted mentally and emotionally that I seriously considered walking away entirely. I learned the hard way that not carving out time to recharge, to step away from the work, to travel or simply enjoy downtime, catches up with you in profound ways.
Those burnouts taught me a crucial lessons: investing in yourself, taking breaks, and prioritizing personal well-being aren’t luxuries—they’re necessities. Without them, the passion and energy that drive your creative energy will eventually burn out, and it can take awhile to light that re-light that drive.
What do you find most rewarding about being a creative?
For me, the most rewarding aspect of being an artist has always been seeing people’s reactions. It started early with magic—there was nothing quite like witnessing the amazement and wonder on someone’s face after performing a trick. That feeling stayed with me as my creativity evolved into photography and film. Now, I experience that same joy when clients or audiences react emotionally to the photographs I’ve taken or the videos I’ve created. Capturing those genuine moments and seeing their excitement, joy, or sometimes even tears, reminds me exactly why I fell in love with being creative in the first place. It’s the human connection, that moment when your work truly resonates with someone else, that I find incredibly rewarding and inspiring.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.magicmovingpictures.com
- Instagram: magicmovingpictures
- Linkedin: Darren Flores
