We were lucky to catch up with David Armenta recently and have shared our conversation below.
Hi David, appreciate you sitting with us today. Maybe we can start with a topic that we care deeply about because it’s something we’ve found really sets folks apart and can make all the difference in whether someone reaches their goals. Self discipline seems to have an outsized impact on how someone’s life plays out and so we’d love to hear about how you developed yours?
My self discipline comes from my fear of failure. I heard once that you will never allow yourself to fail and I believe that to be true. As a photographer I do have a 24 hour turnaround on all of my projects. The discipline to come home from a shoot and get right to transferring photos and editing I think comes from the excitement of the shoot of course some are harder to come home and get to work on but I try and do one new thing every shoot so I have something new to look forward to in the editing process. We are in the generation of now we all want instant gratification now, purchases we make now, so as a consumer I always want things now and that’s something I can pass along to my clients.
Great, so let’s take a few minutes and cover your story. What should folks know about you and what you do?
I am David Onwer of David Took It Photography & Videography. I think what’s so exciting about being a full time photographer and videographer. is the opportunity that will knock at any moment. I have photographed everyone from the President of the United State, to professional athletes, comedians, musicians all the way to your great grandparents surprise anniversary parties. I have somehow managed to do all of these cool things within the small town of Pueblo Colorado I call home.
I Quit my Federal Law Enforcement career during the pandemic, At the time I had 6 weddings on my calendar and a dream of doing what I love full time. Within my first year of being a photographer full time putting my energy, time, and focus into this passion of mine I was able to create a name for myself locally. That’s when opportunity started calling from shooting a $250,000 McLaren in down town Denver with Kenny G Films also from my home town to the both of us shooting TikTok star Loren Gray in LA for a music video that first 6 months really opened my eyes to what doors this passion could open.
Fast forward to year 3 of this journey I have really started to distinguish my work from others not only locally but nationally. I have built a new studio to expand my opportunity with indoor portraiture and have really started doubling down in the world of real estate listing content along with other small business. I think surrounding yourself with those who are at the top of their respective industries can teach you so much and help one another grow.
If you had to pick three qualities that are most important to develop, which three would you say matter most?
Looking back I think the three qualities or skills that were the most impactful in my journey were 1. Never stop learning and trying new things along with that never be satisfied 2. Communication with clients and setting expectations is a life skill I’m learning and working hard at 3. Balance work and life is also a life skill I think is paramount. Hustle culture is everywhere on social media but you can not isolate and burry yourself in your work. You must enjoy the fruits of your labor and enjoy the process because that’s the most fun part of all of this.
For those who are early in your journey my best advice to improve on those skills is to surround yourself with people who are better, more successful and older than you. Understanding where those people have made mistakes and navigating around those so you don’t make the same ones can propel you so far forward, Making contracts and premade messages with instructions or information to make sure you never miss any details has helped me so much with communication. I will save a prewritten message for wedding, senior photo, and studio rental instructions all the way down to my deliverable instructions in my notes and just copy and paste them to the client. As far as balance goes my advice is set timers and to do lists I set 45 minute timers when I edit to make sure I get up walk around rest my eyes grab a drink of water and refocus along with a white board that sits on my wall where I can see everything that needs to be done and in que. Also looking into a booking service and calendar app I personally use square booking and google calendar to keep organized. I am afraid of missing appointments and understand if it isn’t in my calendar it isn’t going to happen. Even if we have a family event or BBQ my Fiancé knows to send the event to my calendar.
Thanks so much for sharing all these insights with us today. Before we go, is there a book that’s played in important role in your development?
I will be the first to say im not one to read or feel enjoyment out of reading a book however I am a huge podcast guy so when I realized how amazing audio books were I dove right in. There were a few books that helped shape my mind years before ever leaving my 9-5. The books that changed everything for me were The Power of Broke, Rich Dad Poor Dad, and Crushing it. Each book brought a little something different to the table. I am forever grateful my friend gave me his audible login and recommending those books.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://davidtookit.square.site
- Instagram: @davidtookitco
- Facebook: Facebook.com/davidtookitco
- Youtube: @davidtookit
- Other: Email: [email protected]
