Danny Damian: The Photographer Taking Social Media by Storm
Ride The Wave #5: Danny Damian on finding your purpose, dealing with insecurities, and positive visualization.
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Are you tired of seeing the same old faces on social media?
Meet Danny Damian, the photographer shaking up the online world with his unique approach to portraiture.
By approaching strangers and offering to take their photos, Danny has a talent for capturing the beauty in everyday people.
His artistry and magic behind the lens have struck a chord with audiences, earning him 300 million views on TikTok and 150,000 followers on Instagram. And it's not just on TikTok where Danny's talent is being recognized - he's also gained half a million YouTube subscribers in just one month!
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So if you're ready to be inspired by something fresh and different, keep reading to learn more about Danny's fantastic journey.
For Danny, a change was necessary. Danny had been studying psychology and working as a waiter in New Orleans, but he wanted to pursue something creative.
He didn't want to continue working as a waiter or going to school for psychology anymore, and he was looking for a way to make some money doing something creative.
Danny tried several ideas, including analyzing stories from a psychological perspective and doing comedy sketches.
However, photography and making videos on TikTok took off for him.
One of his first videos on the platform blew up with over 5 million views. This success only happened a year ago, and it's been a wild ride ever since.
But Danny wasn't always sure about what he wanted to pursue.
He discusses in our interview that he was "so sick of where [he] was" and filled with "discontent and the feeling of wasting one's time." Not knowing what you want or having a clear destination is a miserable feeling.
However, Danny found motivation through both positive and negative visualization. He imagined the future he wanted and didn't want – the latter being a nightmare scenario where his friends and loved ones were at his funeral, regretting that he had never reached his potential.
But it's not all fun and games. Danny also discussed the challenges of dealing with hate, criticism, and insecurities.
He admits that many of the comments he receives echo his self-criticisms, but there have been times when he's been pulled in and affected by what others have said.
Danny talks about the challenges of editing his videos: "Even though no one else really cares, listening to the sound of your own voice can be somewhat horrifying for no reason at all," He emphasizes that the editing process is mentally challenging and is worried about how other may perceive his content.
However, Danny talks about how the process has gotten easier as he has gained confidence and built a stronger character from experience.
To combat this, he relies on the support of his close-knit group of friends and family, who he describes as his "found family" and his "armor" against the hate and paranoia he sometimes encounters.
"As long as [my friends and family] love and respect me, I feel safe," Danny says. "Those people will be there to say no, and they will fight for me, and I will do the same for them... That's the armor that makes all the hate or paranoia disappear."
It's essential to surround yourself with people who support and uplift you, and Danny is fortunate to have a strong network of friends and family who do just that.
Danny proves that battling certain insecurities and criticism is part of putting yourself out there, but he has ultimately grown from his experiences.
Danny's most significant accomplishment was his scripted video with his friend Coco. This video was a turning point for him, as it was his first scripted video that amassed millions of views.
At first, Danny was struggling to make scripted videos that went viral. He hired beautiful models and influencers in an attempt to make a successful video.
However, he failed over and over again. He learned a lot from the six videos he made that "bombed" and realized he needed to try a different approach. "I thought to myself, what am I doing wrong?... I didn't know what I was doing," he says.
But instead of giving up, he used that experience to guide him in a new direction and eventually found success with the video he made with Coco.
It was not until he realized that he needed to bring beauty out of funny people that his scripted videos started taking off. Danny finally found the ideal character for his scripted videos in Coco, which he describes as "the best of both worlds" because she was funny, beautiful, and naturally entertaining.
Danny exclaims as he edits the video with Coco: "I was just laughing until I was crying... I knew this is going to do so well she is so beautiful she is so funny... I love this video that is one of my absolute favorites and one of the ones I'm most proud of putting together, capturing how funny and attractive she is."
It was also a moment of realization for him – he realized that he didn't have to stick to one format or be a "one-trick pony" and that he could try multiple things and be successful. His realization has caused his channel to grow exponentially in recent months and allowed him to express his creativity in a new way.
Since then, Danny has made more scripted videos with funny people and even worked with comedian Mike Birbiglia.
It's clear that Danny is passionate about what he does and is dedicated to improving and growing as a creator.
He is always looking for new opportunities and ways to expand his reach and bring joy to others. "I have a couple of plans next year that will be very exciting," he says, including working with a big-name comedian to promote and direct their shows.
Ultimately, following your passion and doing what makes you happy is critical. Danny's journey from studying psychology and working as a waiter to finding success as a creator on TikTok is a testament to this. "I was so sick of where [I] was... I wanted to do something creative," Danny says. It's always possible to make a change and pursue your passions.
Where to Find Danny
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Outstanding!