Today we’d like to introduce you to Daryl Henderson.
Daryl, let’s start with your story. We’d love to hear how you got started and how the journey has been so far.
My journey is not a typical one. This story starts as many do though, with a young boy and a dream for something more.
It’s a beautiful sunny day in Central Florida. I’m five years old visiting a national park with my parents and my mother, who’s an avid amateur photographer, is taking some images of a crocodile on the nearby shore. Suddenly I wanted to see what she was seeing, so I reached up and asked if I could look through the camera. A request she lovingly obliged. The camera was a large SLR and had a telephoto lens so she helps me hold it up and look through to see. To this day I can still see the image of the crocodile through the lens, up close and personal. It was a small moment that led to a lifetime of discovery.
It was there that I began to develop a curiosity about life and viewing it from a different point of view. My mother taught me to always try and see something in a way that no one has ever seen before…even if what I’m looking at has been seen a million times. This sense of wonder and discovery led me to a career in photography, and far beyond into a journey that is still unfolding.
Ever since I was a child, I’ve had a camera in my hands in some way shape or form. My photography business was born after college and spending several years as a studio manager for a professional photographer in Fort Lauderdale. I began with local publications doing portraits and slowly moved into bigger clients before deciding that to really go where I want I need to be in a bigger market. LA here I come! With a dream, my girlfriend, a station wagon, and a little trailer we set out across the country for California. No plans, no real connections, and no job. This was truly a leap of faith.
After landing in LA I was able to secure several freelance opportunities working behind the scenes as Digital Technician and Retoucher on large-scale productions. This is where I really learned what the business of large-scale photography looks like. Through the years I began working and shooting for some of the biggest brands in the world and traveling to distant countries for projects. Yet this was only the beginning of the journey.
It turns out that I am deeply driven by contributing to people’s lives, and after a couple really tough years of barely getting by during the 2008 recession, I was ready to explore something else. There was deep calling in me to dive into the more esoteric and spiritual side of life. I began to meditate, to attend seminars about consciousness and meet people who were in a more mindful community. This changed everything about my perspective of the world and what I wanted to do. No longer was I interested in just making beautiful images, I became interested in the beauty of people. Those hidden places that so often get missed in all of us.
Through this turn of life, I have been able to use my skills as a photographer to support and contribute to projects and causes that are making a difference in the world. Shooting for and collaborating with projects like the Heart Gallery which focuses on finding forever families for foster children and RAW Beauty and Face My Beauty which focuses on capturing amazing images of physically disabled women to alter the conversation about what beauty REALLY is! I’ve been to Peru to shoot stills and video of the Matsés tribe to help them save land in the Amazon, and earlier this year there was a journey to Africa with Unity Earth to help them capture the magic and power of a convergence of 70 spiritual leaders from across the world to spread a message of unity and peace.
And this is only the beginning. The question is “Where do I go from here?”…. honestly, I’m not 100% sure. One thing I do know is that where I go, my camera will be there to help capture the journey and share it with the world.
Overall, has it been relatively smooth? If not, what were some of the struggles along the way?
The road for this journey has taken many turns and had many potholes! A few times the road was even completely destroyed and I had to find another way. I have faced heart breaks (personal and professional), started a magazine that went nowhere, had thousands of dollars either not paid or lost in investments that seem smart at the time.
At one point I even faced high debts from an unexpected appendicitis surgery and credit cards from college and then had to declare bankruptcy. I’ve lost friends and made new ones. Been screwed over by clients, and been well taken care of. I’ve been rocked to my foundation and had to rebuild… several times. At it’s all been worth it
Daryl Henderson Photographics – what should we know? What do you guys do best? What sets you apart from the competition?
My business as it stands offers photography services to the fashion, commercial, and advertising industries. High-end productions and photo shoots is what we specialize in.
Working with top-tier companies as well as promising artists, musicians, and companies that are on the rise. As long as there is a solid vision and good people on board we are there to support in taking an idea and making it a reality.
As a company, I’m most proud of the charitable projects that have benefitted from my services throughout the years. Knowing that someone’s life has been transformed through the contribution of my time and services brings more fulfillment than any paycheck.
What is “success” or “successful” for you?
Success in my book is defined by taking consistent action toward a worthy goal. Said another way, If I’m growing, learning, and moving toward a dream then I am successful.
Contact Info:
- Website: www.daryl-henderson.com
- Phone: 9177969685
- Email: [email protected]
- Instagram: @dhendersonphoto
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/dhenderson.photo
- Twitter: @darylhe
- Other: www.legit-digital.com
Getting in touch: VoyageLA is built on recommendations from the community; it’s how we uncover hidden gems, so if you know someone who deserves recognition please let us know here.
