We’re looking forward to introducing you to Daniela Duncan. Check out our conversation below.
Good morning Daniela, we’re so happy to have you here with us and we’d love to explore your story and how you think about life and legacy and so much more. So let’s start with a question we often ask: Have any recent moments made you laugh or feel proud?
Photography wise, the most joyful moments for me are when I’m watching wildlife thriving. For instance, this spring I had the opportunity to watch a rookery with wild wading birds forming bonds, building nests, having offspring and caring for them; and then I watched as their chicks grew healthy and capable. There were funny moments, there were moving moments, there were awe-inspiring moments – and it was so gratifying to capture them on camera!
Can you briefly introduce yourself and share what makes you or your brand unique?
I’m a stock photographer, focused on nature photography: animals, blooms, trees, and wild places. I also love to travel, so my portfolio includes travel photography. My passion is to capture frozen moments in time – real images, real moments.
Amazing, so let’s take a moment to go back in time. What did you believe about yourself as a child that you no longer believe?
That’s a great question! I once believed I couldn’t have a career as a photographer. I remember when I was a kid looking at photography books, thinking how awesome it would be to be a photographer. I was discouraged then; I was told it was impractical, that I needed to go to college, etc. So I went another route; I thought I could be a journalist and take pictures for my stories. So I studied Mass Communications, majored in Journalism, ended up working as a reporter and producer for a little while… and funny how life is, through a series of huge changes in my life, I was working at a corporate job as a translator and just doing photography as a hobby, posting them online: when I was “found” by an editor, who invited me to be a contributor for a large international stock images agency. And it worked so well for me! So here I am, doing what I love, being a nature photographer, with images being published all over the world for over a decade. I feel was born to do this. So, what I do believe wholeheartedly now is: trust your heart’s desire, follow your passion, there’s a reason for it.
Was there ever a time you almost gave up?
There were a few times I was tempted to find more lucrative or stable careers – but I’m glad I didn’t. Not doing photography, not exercising freedom, flexibility, and creativity would be soul crushing for me.
I think our readers would appreciate hearing more about your values and what you think matters in life and career, etc. So our next question is along those lines. What would your closest friends say really matters to you?
Compassion, kindness and respect for animals – for all creatures, big and small. Conservation. Appreciation of wild, natural spaces.
Okay, so let’s keep going with one more question that means a lot to us: What is the story you hope people tell about you when you’re gone?
That I followed my passion, that I did what I loved, that I was happy and blessed.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.daniela-duncan.com/
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/danieladuncan
Image Credits
Travel & wildlife photos by Daniela Duncan; pics of her by Brian Duncan.
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