Alright – so today we’ve got the honor of introducing you to Daniel Acevedo. We think you’ll enjoy our conversation, we’ve shared it below.
Hi Daniel, we’re so appreciative of you taking the time to share your nuggets of wisdom with our community. One of the topics we think is most important for folks looking to level up their lives is building up their self-confidence and self-esteem. Can you share how you developed your confidence?
Confidence and self-esteem are skills I developed over the years, especially after many failures in the past. They also come from the need to protect what you truly value about yourself in the real world. I used to have a long list of insecurities, and even now, I still find myself struggling with some of them. However, it’s a daily exercise. Allowing myself to be the person I genuinely want to be while reminding myself to respect everyone was a good starting point and continues to help build my confidence.
It’s also important to mention that building confidence is challenging if you don’t truly want it. Even if people around you cheer for your potential, you need to see it and desire to change yourself. No one else can make you feel confident; it has to come from within. I’ve noticed this recently, even in simple things. For instance, when you walk outside smiling, people around you tend to smile back. We are what we do; we are what we embrace. By committing to small changes to build your self-esteem, you will notice how the world around you changes.
As a photographer, confidence has been a meaningful skill that I’ve had to develop over the years. I still remember how shy I was when I started in this field. I would get nervous in front of clients and models, worrying if they liked my photography. However, my mindset has changed as I gained more experience. Clients want me because of what I do, and they know my work and what I can bring to the table. If they didn’t, I probably wouldn’t be there.
My confidence has improved as I’ve invested time in developing my skills. The fear and lack of confidence disappear by working intelligently and making time to learn and reinforce what I do. It’s an ongoing journey, but each step forward makes a significant difference.
Let’s take a small detour – maybe you can share a bit about yourself before we dive back into some of the other questions we had for you?
This year, I’m celebrating my first decade as a photographer. It has been a significant milestone in my personal career. Looking back, I realize it’s been ten years since I decided to start this journey, and the most exciting part is that I don’t see an end in sight—this is just the beginning of more projects.
My photography path has taken many different directions. I started as a self-taught photographer, practicing with family members and friends. When I was a teenager, the dream of being a photographer was just a hobby. But as I grew older, I found myself increasingly attached to the camera. Moving to Minneapolis made me believe I could take this passion to the next level, which is why I’m currently pursuing a BFA in Photography.
Recently, I’ve been sharing a stop-motion post series of my most recent photo booklets, created over the past year. The creation of photo books has become a new passion for me. Bringing real pictures to life and seeing them printed is such a wonderful feeling. I invite you to follow me on social media, especially on Instagram, where I share most of my projects and upcoming photo endeavors. I’m also working on collaborative projects with local models, writers, and sculptors, which I will be sharing soon—so stay tuned!
If you had to pick three qualities that are most important to develop, which three would you say matter most?
First and foremost, believe in yourself. No one else will believe in you more than you do. Hold strong to your beliefs and ideas, and keep going. You are on the right track, even in those moments when you feel like you are about to lose. That’s when you need to be strongest. Success is waiting for you, just beyond those challenges.
Second, try to surround yourself with people who share your interests. This way, you can receive honest critiques and insights from people who truly understand what you’re talking about. Avoid asking for opinions from strangers who may not have the right answers or solutions you are looking for. There are many ways to connect with like-minded individuals these days.
Lastly, always be open to learning and observing what is around you. You can learn impressive things if you allow yourself to think outside the box. Bright ideas often come from a mix of different thoughts and techniques.
Okay, so before we go we always love to ask if you are looking for folks to partner or collaborate with?
Most of the time, people might think I like to collaborate to increase my social media numbers, but that’s not true. I’m interested in collaborating with strong, creative minds. What I love about working with great artists is seeing what we can both bring to the table to create something truly remarkable. If I can capture something big with my camera, and you have a powerful idea in another form, the result will be strong and meaningful. That, to me, is what makes a good collaboration.
I also approach people to collaborate, as I’ve recently started doing this to expand my creativity in different forms. If you’re interested in collaborating with me, you can reach out through my Instagram. If we both agree on our ideas, I’m open to creating something together.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://danielacevedo.mypixieset.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/danielacevedove/
- Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/danielacevedove/
Image Credits
All images by Daniel Acevedo
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