{"id":819803,"date":"2025-05-14T12:29:47","date_gmt":"2025-05-14T19:29:47","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/community.wacom.com\/en-us\/?p=819803"},"modified":"2025-05-14T13:56:50","modified_gmt":"2025-05-14T20:56:50","slug":"dani-diamond-interview-photography","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/community.wacom.com\/en-us\/dani-diamond-interview-photography\/","title":{"rendered":"Dani Diamond on why he prefers fashion shoots, the role of technology in photography, and his advice for aspiring photographers"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

Dani Diamond<\/a> is one of the most talented \u2013 and popular \u2013 photographers working today. He’s currently primarily a fashion photographer based out of New York City, who has also written dozens of informative articles for FStoppers<\/a> and created tutorial videos<\/a> to help out the next generation of photographers. He’s been a longtime Wacom user, and swears by his Cintiq Pro 27 pen display<\/a>, Wacom Intuos Pro pen tablet<\/a>, and his Wacom Movink OLED pen display<\/a> when he’s traveling.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

We spoke to Dani about his background, how he got into fashion photography, his views on technology in photography and his Wacom tech in particular, and any advice he has for young or beginning photographers looking to pursue a creative career. The interview below has been lightly edited for length and clarity.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\n
<\/div>\n\n\n\n
\n\n\n\n
<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n
\"Dani<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

You didn\u2019t pick up photography until you were in college studying business. What eventually drew you to it? Why has it become your career?<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

I had a very difficult time studying in school \u2013 my mind always wandered off. But a friend of mine in college had a camera, and I was fascinated by the technical side of it. The more I learned about it, the more I realized I didn’t know \u2013 this is true to this day. When my mind finds an interest, I hyperfocus on it until I reach the end, and in art there is no end \u2013 so I’m hooked for life!<\/p>\n\n\n\n

I turned photography into a business because I saw an opportunity to feed my soul while making an income. Being that I’m business-oriented, I had an easy time navigating the freelance, self-employed world. I’m very self-motivated, and the freelance lifestyle suits me.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Why fashion and portrait photography specifically? Did you start out exploring other types of photography before you landed there?<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Simply put, fashion is the most sought-after genre within photography, and there is a prestigious label that comes with it if you can make a full time living doing it. For a very short while, I did product photography \u2013 before I learned that I loved dealing with humans, so I jumped over to portrait photography. Portrait photography was essential to excel at before stepping into the fashion world. I took baby steps to gain experience, build relationships, and learn to perform under any scenarios. Now I focus mostly on fashion.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"Dani<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

You\u2019ve talked about how the market is saturated, and aspiring photographers might be better off studying something else so they can make money. Is that still your advice to young folks who might be interested in photography as a career? What about going to art school?<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Ever since my first day as a photographer, I’ve felt this way \u2013 and I still do more now, than ever. If you want to love the art of photography, don’t pay to learn it \u2013 and don’t expect to get paid doing it. Leave it as a hobby while you choose a more promising career. For every couple hundred people who get into the field, very few will make a comfortable living at it. The odds are against you, and the stress will take the art and pleasure out of it. In my opinion, if you’re paying for school and putting in the years of studying, it should be for a career path that guarantees a job. Art is not guaranteed. Furthermore art is learned from within, not dictated by a teacher. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

You were once known for your \u201cnatural light\u201d photography. How does one master lighting? Isn\u2019t it tricky to be dependent on the weather? <\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

While I was known for my natural light portraits in my earlier years, I now use an equal amount of artificial light. Nothing beats the look of a natural light portrait, though. I’ve learned to work under all lighting conditions, and come prepared to each shoot with everything necessary to get the job done right. The night prior to shooting, we always check the weather \u2013 and if there is rain we make backup plans. However, I can always work with the sun at any time of the day.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\n