Meet Francesco Da Vinci

We were lucky to catch up with Francesco Da Vinci recently and have shared our conversation below.

Francesco, so good to have you with us today. We’ve always been impressed with folks who have a very clear sense of purpose and so maybe we can jump right in and talk about how you found your purpose?
My purpose is self-respect followed by service to others. I found my purpose through something called ‘inspirational dissatisfaction,’ meaning to learn to convert adversites to advantages. In my case I had the adversity of alcoholic parents. Having to endure emotional and physical abuse prompted me to read every self-help book I could get my hands on. Fortunately, we had a home library that was stocked with motivational books. One of the sayings that stayed with me came from Napoleon Hill’s, “Think and Grow Rich,” — “You can never be defeated, unless ‘you’ accept the defeat.” A sliver lining to my parental problems was that I emerged much stronger than I would have otherwise. I became determined to reinvent my life. One of the pledges I made to myself was this – if I can pull myself out of this abyss I’ll find a way to help others.

In the progressive ’60s I was strongly drawn to the civil rights and peace movements. The more I learned about social injustice and the tragedies of war the more passionate I became about addressing those issues. By participating in civil rights and peace marches, I found a strengthening of my purpose. During the Vietnam War, I faced the draft and felt a moral responsibility to take a stand as a conscientious objector. That meant giving up my student deferment and risking prison. Finally, after three and a half years on appeal, I won my conscientious objector case and did not have to go to prison. Instead, I served two years of alternative service at a community center.

Two years later, I decided to chase my dream of becoming a full-time photojournalist. I packed up everything I owned into my pathetic Pinto car and moved from San Diego to Hollywood. Quickly, I became an artist – a starving artist! More than a few times I was tempted to abandon my dream and go back to teaching. But I kept telling myself, “It’s not a matter of ‘if’ you’ll make it in photography; it’s only a question of ‘when’. Never give up!” My first break was becoming a set photographer for NBC-TV and Universal Studios. While I enjoyed entertainment photo work, I found more fulfillment from photojournalism. My first two years in Hollywood were pure hell, barely making rent month-to-month. But five years later I had established one of the top ten entertainment photo studios in LA in the ’80s. My studio was just off Sunset at the top of Horn Avenue. That steep hill leading up to my studio always reminded me of my struggle.

My second big break was signing with Getty Images, which gave me a bigger platform. I used that larger following to promote causes I deeply believed in, such as UNICEF, gun control, ending capital punishment, United Way, animal rights, nuclear disarmament, the equal rights amendment, paying tribute to conscientious objectors to war, and human rights. However, my main cause, throughout my life, has been to promote peace through nonviolence. So, it was particularly gratifying to receive a 2023 nomination for the U.S. Peace Prize. At the same time, however, I realized there have been so many peace activists in history that sacrificed ‘much’ more than I did, sometimes even giving up their life to stand for peace.

While I’ve mentioned a host of serious subjects, I’d like to mention the importance of having fun along the way. I believe that when you’re happy, you have more to give others and that happiness is contagious! The following is a simple formula for my happiness; it’s around the word LOVE:
“L” – Learning to love yourself; self-respect.
“O” – Oneness with others; be of service.
“V” – Victory over adversities; turn obstacles to advantages
“E” – Embrace life; being positive for peace of mind

Thanks for sharing that. So, before we get any further into our conversation, can you tell our readers a bit about yourself and what you’re working on?
My professional career is focused on photography, writing, and film.

PHOTOGRAPHY – Examples of my photography are on my Instagram page: francesco_davinci and on my photo site: www.francesco-da-vinci.com
WRITING – I’m working on my first novel; a fictionalized version of my photo career; the theme reflects my motto: Love your work, and work at Love.
FILM – I’ve adapted my memoir – I REFUSE TO KILL – into a screenplay that I’m currently shopping to producers; it’s about my conscientious objection to war and includes a dramatic love story. If anyone would like to intern with my film that promotes peace, please send an email: [email protected]

Looking back, what do you think were the three qualities, skills, or areas of knowledge that were most impactful in your journey? What advice do you have for folks who are early in their journey in terms of how they can best develop or improve on these?
The three qualities that I’ve found the most valuable for inner and outer success are (1) SELF-RESPECT AND POSITIVITY – These two values, in my view, are the foundation for happiness and for achieving what you want. If you’re lacking those, you’re likely to be unhappy, negative/cynical, and not in a good state to relate to others. If, on the other hand, you’re happy and at peace with yourself, you have more love and positivity to give others.

(2) KNOW YOURSELF AND BE TRUE TO YOURSELF – I found it invaluable to take a self-inventory of my strengths and weaknesses, to be aware of what I truly wanted to focus my life on, compared to what others thought I should focus on. If we’re strangers to ourselves, and are not making ourselves happy and fulfilled, we’re left fragmented. Gandhi’s advice on how to avoid inauthenticity and make ourselves whole in spirit was to make our thoughts, our words, and our actions harmonious.

(3) PERSISTENCE – No matter how talented we are, it doesn’t mean much if we don’t back it up with persistent action. It’s one thing to talk about what you want in life; it’s another to do the work. Whether it’s in our careers or in our personal relationships, we need to keep on keeping on to achieve inner and outer success. Of course there are going to be setbacks and obstacles along the way. I didn’t get that in the beginning of my career as a photojournalist. I was too impatient for change and would get discouraged and tempted to give up on a goal if it didn’t happen in short order. I learned the hard way that many worthwhile things take long-term commitment and action. There’s a great Japanese proverb: “Fall seven times, stand up eight.”

I came to realize that failure and success are two sides of the same coin! Setbacks are inevitable. But persistence enables us to learn from them and move on; to adapt to our challenges and stay focused on what gives our life meaning, happiness, and fulfillment.

Okay, so before we go we always love to ask if you are looking for folks to partner or collaborate with?
Currently, I’m seeking FILMMAKERS and INTERNS to help develop my feature film – I REFUSE TO KILL. The film will promote diversity and peace through nonviolent action. In these extremely divisive times, this story could not be any timelier. Those who have written testimonials for the story include Noam Chomsky, Governor Michael Dukakis, Garett Reppebnhagen (Veterans for Peace), Peter Yarrow (Peter, Paul & Mary), filmmaker Robert Richter, and Joyce Ajlouny (General Secretary of the American Friends Service Committee).

Prior experience is not necessary to help. I’m seeking people that are passionate about peace through nonviolence and who are dependable.
Whether you’re here in Los Angeles, or you’d like to help from out of state, please send an email: [email protected]
Let’s be kind, let’s inspire each other, and let’s never give up!
Thank you!

Contact Info:

Image Credits
All photos by Francesco Da Vinci

Suggest a Story: BoldJourney is built on recommendations from the community; it’s how we uncover hidden gems, so if you or someone you know deserves recognition please let us know here.
Highlighter Series
Are you walking a path—or wandering?

The answer to whether you are walking or wandering often changes from season to season

Highlighter Series
What makes you lose track of time—and find yourself again?

With so many high-achievers in our community it was super interesting to learn about the

Highlighter Series
If you could say one kind thing to your younger self, what would it be?

We asked some of the wisest people we know what they would tell their younger