Today we’d like to introduce you to Domonick Giorgianni.
Domonick, please share your story with us. How did you get to where you are today?
I was working in Phoenix as a morning show co-host and producer for a radio station. I applied to SiriusXM in Los Angeles because I thought it would be the next step moving up in my career. It lasted six months. I wasn’t sure what I was going to do next because the radio market it tough in LA, I still wanted to be creative and knew it might not be in radio anymore, so I look on Craigslist for a camera to bypass the time. Taking photos was always something that fascinated me, although I’ve only ever owned disposable cameras. I started to take photos of people outfits on Melrose because they were all stylish. I’m not sure how it came about, but within six months I snuck my way into a fashion show. I started to meet makeup artist, models,designers and hairstylist and realized that I wanted to be involved in that industry.
Has it been a smooth road?
The only thing that hasn’t been smooth is how expensive it is to live in Los Angeles and everyone knows someone with a camera. People expect you to work for free and gain “exposure”. That was short-lived because I wasn’t even getting that and exposure wasn’t paying my bills. As soon as I started charging was when I started to get some attention. It’s still a work in progress, but I no longer work for free.
Tell us more about the struggles you’ve faced along the way.
I could write a book or movie about the struggles I’ve encountered. Among them was when I decided to purchase an RV, travel the country and take photos of national parks. About the time I got to San Francisco about 1/3 of my money was gone. Eight miles a gallon and repairs weren’t really factored into my travel equation. The whole experience had ups and downs. When the negative ones came it forces you to step out of your element and looks at things in different ways. My worst case scenario was if I didn’t have enough resources I at least had a home wherever I was at.
What’s your outlook for the industry in our city?
Los Angeles is a fantastic place to be. It’s where I first picked up a camera. Doesn’t matter what type of photographer you are because you can find your niche. I gravitated to fashion, but if you want landscapes you can travel about an hour outside of the city and Angels Crest is a sweet spot. The ocean is not too far away. I’ve shot street art, street style, out of helicopters, rooftops…It’s hard not to tell someone to not start out here. The weather is just as amazing as the opportunities.
Contact Info:
- Website: www.Domsnuts.com
- Email: [email protected]
- Instagram: Domsnuts
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Hippie-Dom-116969765026638/
Image Credit:
Models: Justin Kier, Meghan Herring, Katie Machaiek, Cassandra Dellamaddalena-Hughes, Maja Malnar
