Today we’d like to introduce you to Daniel Anderson.
Daniel, can you briefly walk us through your story – how you started and how you got to where you are today.
I got my start as a freelance photographer in Houston, TX in 2006 where I was attending Texas Southern University’s Jesse H Jones school of business working towards earning a degree in finance where I knew I would be working in investment banking soon after. I had no idea at the time that I would end up doing the one thing I have loved since I could hold a camera, photography. I was originally a transfer student from El Centro College based in Dallas, TX where I was born and raised. When I arrived, I had 2-years left to complete my degree and my free time was usually spent hanging with friends or trying to impress the ladies I was pretty good at both. Out of now where, I just so happened to be studying which is a rare thing for me, the first 4 months of the fall semester I had no idea where our campus library was. Looking for the library I ran into one of the most beautiful women I had ever laid eyes on, and I had not the slightest clue on how to approach this gorgeous women. But to my surprise she approaches me, I had hoped it was because of my striking handsome good looks but it was mostly because of my Nikon camera strapped around my neck. She was a fashion merchandising major and needed a photographer for a project she was working on and I happily agreed to help. I mean who wouldn’t she was hot! Little did I know that very moment was the most pivotal of my life, without quite grasping the concept I began the journey of becoming a fashion, editorial, and commercial advertising photographer and I have been mastering the art every since. Before I know it by 2015, I had moved to Los Angeles opened a small apartment based studio in my home, and fast forward to 2017 now I’m the head nacho at a mid-size photography firm with 3 studios in Los Angeles, 2 in New York, 1 in Miami and another in Toronto Ontario. I had somehow managed to grab that American dream, never would I have thought that my passion for photography would afford me the best years of my life.
Overall, has it been relatively smooth? If not, what were some of the struggles along the way?
The road taken is hardly ever smooth, breaking into the photography business as fast as I did people thought I was crazy, I might have to agree photography is a very expensive business to be in. Most assume is just picking up a camera and pushing a few buttons and telling a person to stand this way and to smile or not smile. I wish it were that simple. We have to be masters of light, and pay close attention to detail like how a women’s hair lays on her shoulder and how that may affect the overall mood of the shoot. The biggest struggle is the massive overhead cost. In my particular niche of photography, the equipment can get quite expensive and it may take a client sometimes upwards of 90 days to cut a check. When you’re shooting with a camera that cost the price of nice luxury car $55k you have to constantly work to keep the cash flowing. I live is Los Angles at least that’s where my apartment is but I spend about a week a month actually at home, the rest of the time I somewhere in the world working to keep the lights on. Travel is constant in my line of work, and sometimes can be overwhelming and exhausting but I love what I do!
Alright – so let’s talk business. Tell us about Revolt Studios – what should we know?
So I am considered to be a fashion, editorial, lifestyle and commercial advertising photography at least that’s what I specialize in. I am mostly known for my fashion work and as a company, I am most proud of our huge growth in a short amount of time from me starting off freelance to a staff of 50+ in a few years in not bad. What sets me apart from most other photographers is simply understanding what my client’s needs are and exceeding them in a not so conventional way, can’t really get into too much detail there I’d be giving up my secrets.
Any shoutouts? Who else deserves credit in this story – who has played a meaningful role?
I would say my biggest supporter has been my aunt Stacy Anderson. She has supported my dream since day one, and invested in my start.
Contact Info:
- Address: Corporate
8560 Sunset Boulevard
West Hollywood 90069 - Website: http://revoltstudios.com
- Phone: 323-886-0210
- Email: book@revoltstudios.com
- Instagram: https://instagram.com/revoltstudios/
- Facebook: https://facebook.com/revoltstudios/
- Twitter: https://twitter.com/revoltstudio
Image Credit:
Revolt Studios
Daniel Anderson
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