Today we’d like to introduce you to Sean Daniel.
Thanks for sharing your story with us Sean. So, let’s start at the beginning and we can move on from there.
In November of 2019, I invested in a camera with intentions of starting my dream of becoming a YouTuber. I quickly began thinking that nobody would care to see my personal life through videos, so I decided to utilize the camera towards photography for others. With a background in playing basketball and a strong passion for the game it was inevitable that sports photography was what I wanted to focus on. When I came back to Dallas for school, I reached out to some of the top high school players in the DFW area to get their game schedules. I went to games at Guyer, South Garland, Little Elm, and Duncanville to watch and shoot players that were ranked in the top 100’s of their respective class. After a few games, I started getting traction from the players’ followings and feedback on my work which motivated me to keep shooting and building relationships. I went back home to New York the following summer and got the opportunity to do some photography at the notorious Dyckman park. Through that opportunity, I was fortunate to meet my current boss, Ian Pierno, who eventually hired me as an intern for LeagueFits/SLAM magazine. Without him and the SLAM organization, I wouldn’t be where I am today. Before I knew it, I was transitioning from taking photos at high school games, to college, to the NBA, with just a year of photography under my belt. Although there have been natural limitations and setbacks with this current pandemic, I refuse to stop putting in the work and pursuit to continue photography and the platform I have started to build.
Overall, has it been relatively smooth? If not, what were some of the struggles along the way?
One of the biggest lessons I’ve learned throughout my journey is that nothing good comes easy and that struggles are unavoidable. I personally have had to learn everything on my own and make mistakes along the way. Trials such as getting denied credentials to games, is what fueled my desire to improve and my determination to not be denied the following year. Although I was blessed to eventually get credentials at NBA games this past season, there were numerous times that I would make hour long drives to arenas and then shoot, edit, and provide content for myself and SLAM all at the same time which was challenging in the moment. Considering the struggles of hard work, financial limitations, and minimal support, the road hasn’t been smooth at all.
Please tell us about your work.
I think that it is obvious to say that I am a content creator, but it is definitely more than just that. I specialize in sports photography and am generally known for my editing style. I like to differentiate myself from other photographers and “basic” edits that keep the colors and views the same as everybody else. In addition to the unique editing style of my work, I firmly believe that being able to tell stories through photo/video is what makes a content creator great. With this being said, I love to connect with my clients on a personal level while documenting their games or journies in life. My work is about connecting with clients to capture distinctive shots and stories, rather than just creating content and leaving with money, which is what I believe sets me and my work apart from others.
If you had to go back in time and start over, would you have done anything differently?
If I would have known what I know now when I first started, there is no doubt that I would have done some things differently. Everything that I have done leading up to this point, however, is what has taught me what I now know and carried me to this point, which I wouldn’t change for anything. There are small photography tips with angles and edits that I wish I knew earlier, but experience and time is the best way to figure those things out.
Contact Info:
- Phone: 6463610779
- Email: Sean16daniel@gmail.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/1shotsean/
- Twitter: https://twitter.com/Sean_Daniel01
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