Meet Hannah Daniel

We were lucky to catch up with Hannah Daniel recently and have shared our conversation below.

Hannah, thank you so much for taking the time to share your lessons learned with us and we’re sure your wisdom will help many. So, one question that comes up often and that we’re hoping you can shed some light on is keeping creativity alive over long stretches – how do you keep your creativity alive?

I feel like I was born to create. I grew up in a family that was full of creativity, and almost every single one of us has our own craft that we spend our time on. Being exposed to so many different art forms from a young age really allowed me to see the world through so many different lenses, and gain such an appreciation for the arts. In addition to being a photographer I am also an artist, and I draw and paint regularly. I also recently taught myself to crochet. I’m no a stranger at all to picking up something new and giving it a try. I think having hobbies aside from your work is so important. It allows you to feel like you have the freedom to make something without any expectations or outside pressure. Because I have so many outlets for my creativity, I feel like my brain is constantly swirling with ideas of things I can do. I think this has really helped me in my photography career, because I’m coming at things from more than just one perspective.

Thanks, so before we move on maybe you can share a bit more about yourself?

My name is Hannah and I’m a concert photographer and artist from Michigan. Growing up, my grandma always had a camera around her neck, and no visit to her house was complete unless she had you pose for a picture or until she had shown you her most recent nature shots. I think it was just a matter of time before I found a camera in my own hands. I quickly fell in love with taking pictures. I went to college for studio arts, and it was my photography professor who really helped me get even more comfortable behind my camera.

Live music has always been another huge passion of mine, and it was my dream to be able to combine my two favorite hobbies, photography and going to shows. One of my friends eventually brought me along with her to shoot my first show and the rest is history!

There are very few feelings I love more than being in the crowd at a concert. Being able to capture that feeling and share it for others to experience is something that is so special to me. It provides a little window into the world of that artist for people who were unable to attend, and serves as a memory of the night for those who were there. I really love what I do, and I wouldn’t have it any other way.

There is so much advice out there about all the different skills and qualities folks need to develop in order to succeed in today’s highly competitive environment and often it can feel overwhelming. So, if we had to break it down to just the three that matter most, which three skills or qualities would you focus on?

Firstly, knowing your way around your camera is so important! Taking the time to practice and really learn your camera settings will make a huge difference in your work. Some people will tell you that you need to buy this camera or that lens to take good photos, but if you know how to make your camera work for you, you’ll go so far.

Also, don’t be afraid to talk to people! You never know who you might meet. Networking is super important and I’m always talking to other photographers, venue staff, and even fans in the crowd. The world is smaller than you think and those connections can really help in the long run!

And finally, be yourself. It’s so easy to sit and compare your work to others, and want your work to look like theirs. If everyone was the same, and everyone’s work looked the same, the world would be boring. Don’t be afraid to stand apart and use your own creative vision to create your work. And don’t be afraid to try something new and take some risks!

One of our goals is to help like-minded folks with similar goals connect and so before we go we want to ask if you are looking to partner or collab with others – and if so, what would make the ideal collaborator or partner?

I’m always looking for people to work with! I’m very passionate about supporting small artists and I’m also always down to make a creative vision come to life for a portrait session. If you want to be in front of my lens you can find me on Instagram @hannahs.sdcard if you want to connect!

Contact Info:

• Website: https://hannahedaniel.myportfolio.com/
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/hannahs.sdcard

Image Credits

Hannah Daniel