Today we’d like to introduce you to Dylan Wallis.
Dylan, can you briefly walk us through your story – how you started and how you got to where you are today.
I had a pretty unorthodox path to where I’m at now. When I was young I do recall making videos with my friends and always enjoyed film photos of my friends and me, but I wouldn’t say that’s where my photography journey began.
A few years ago, three of my best friends and I did a National Park tour and traveled around the west coast backpacking Yosemite, the Redwoods, Crater Lake, Mt. Rainier, and Cascade National Park. One of my best friends, Ryan, was a landscape photographer and convinced us to buy a camera and bring it so we could document from different perspectives. I searched around and found a good deal on a used Canon 70D and a cheap wide-angle lens. We shot every day on that trip and it’s where I really learned how much I enjoyed photography but once I returned home, I didn’t touch my camera again.
Fast forward a couple of years later, me, Ryan, and our girlfriends spent a weekend camping in the Ozark Mountains and each night ended with him teaching me some astrophotography. It reignited the feeling I felt on that backpacking trip. When I returned home, I decided I wanted to put the time and effort into really learning the art of photography. I consumed tens, probably hundreds of hours of YouTube tutorials over the next few months. I sold my Canon, took the money and purchased a used Sony a7iii. I knew it was something I wanted to take seriously, so I considered it an investment in myself.
Not long after, I met my neighbors Dustin McLaughlin and AJ Aiello and learned they recently opened a small visual content agency called Twelve Midnight. I mentioned if they ever needed any help on projects I’d be interested, I just wanted to get some experience and learn as much as I could. Honestly, I didn’t expect anything to come from it but a few weeks later I got a text from Dustin asking if I wanted to shoot some BTS at a music video shoot for local talent Abraham Alexander. At the time I didn’t know who Abraham was and I had no clue how to shoot good behind the scenes content, but I knew I had to jump at the opportunity anyways. I’m a big believer that your best growth as a person comes when you’re forced into uncomfortable situations.
The BTS was a success and more opportunities just kept coming. Four months later, I was on a plane to LA to shoot photos and videos for Abraham Alexander at The Troubadour and The Observatory where I quickly fell in love with music photography. I enjoy the creative aspect and emotion I’m able to capture in an image. Since then I’ve worked on projects with TX Whiskey, Hilti Tools, TX Monthly Festival at Bomb Factory, Mt. Joy and more.
Great, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
I consider myself very self-aware. I realize the opportunities I’ve received with how little experience I have is very rare. With that said, it certainly hasn’t been smooth. Each project I’m involved in, it’s likely my first time being in that position it so it brings a level of stress and anxiety I’m unaccustomed to. I still have so much to learn though so that’s the main challenge for me personally.
Please tell us about Dyl.Pixel.
This is all new to me, so I’m learning the business side of things on the fly. I started out essentially shooting my travel adventures and just wanting to capture the amazing places I go to. Then I stumbled into music photography and quickly realized how much I enjoy it. I just recently returned from shooting a proposal in Yosemite National Park, so that was super cool. I just got asked to video a friend’s wedding, which is another avenue I have zero experience with, but the challenge is exciting. I would say I’m still narrowing down my specialty, I don’t want to box myself in but I do love outdoor lifestyle and music photography.
What sets me apart is how obsessive I am. Attention to detail is the foundation for success in anything you do in life.
Do you look back particularly fondly on any memories from childhood?
Probably the freedom of being a kid. Getting together with my friends and building quarter pipes to skate on or playing football at the park. Just the creative aspect of having nothing to do and figuring out how to spend your days. I miss those days.
Contact Info:
- Phone: 817-929-3280
- Email: dylanwallis90@gmail.com
- Instagram: instagram.com/dyl.pixel
Image Credit:
Chris Killingsworth
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