Meet Darius Spain

We’re excited to introduce you to the always interesting and insightful Darius Spain. We hope you’ll enjoy our conversation with Darius below.

Darius, looking forward to learning from your journey. You’ve got an amazing story and before we dive into that, let’s start with an important building block. Where do you get your work ethic from?
I got my work ethic from my parents and uncle. Growing up, my mom was a single mother who worked two jobs to provide for herself and I, as well as my grandmother and great grandmother. She was the epitome of hard work and sacrifice. My dad also was a hard worker. From a young age he taught me nothing and life comes easy and you have to get out and go get it. Both of my parents were in the military so they instilled in me those hard lessons and that military mindset. Last my uncle. My uncle had to overcome adversity with being in the Texas Prison System for 8 years. When he came home, he opened up his own gym and became a personal trainer. My teenage years were spent watching him hustle and grind to become the one of the best, if not the best personal trainer in the DFW.

Appreciate the insights and wisdom. Before we dig deeper and ask you about the skills that matter and more, maybe you can tell our readers about yourself?
My name is Darius Spain and I’m a Photographer and Videographer from Fort Worth, Texas. I graduated from the University of North Texas in 2022. I specialize in Video production from Events, Music, commercial, and with photos Portrait, Events, etc. My focus is making sure that my team I capture every single special moment.

I picked up camera as a little hobby in college to distract me from work sometimes and also to make a couple of extra dollars on the side. A little hobby turned into a business when I took some maternity photos for my friends Arika and Matt. From there, it turned into something more. Even though I’m self taught, my mentor Joe Carroll taught me alot and a couple of my friends like Joel, Corey and JD have taught me some things along the way and also have learned alot together. My classmate and Football brother, Ezekiel K started shooting videos in 2022 and he’s been the biggest help. That same year, I decided to make my own team who specialize in different things. Andrea, Ezekiel, Jawon, Victoria, Brianda, and Allen are all special in their own ways. I’ve had the privilege to shoot over 2000+ photoshoots and over 400 videos and of all sorts. I’ve had the opportunity to travel because of it as well and be able to provide for myself and loved ones because of the camera.

I think the most exciting part about being able to do this is to capture special moments and be able to smile on peoples and too give back.

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?
First thing is to know your camera inside and out. It doesn’t matter what type of camera or lens you have honestly as long you know how to properly use it and know its function you can create and do beautiful things with it. I know people who shoot on $400 camera and know how to use it so well and are able to do their thing.

I think the second most impactful thing is knowing the business side of it. Even though I still struggle til this day with it’s so important. When setting prices we sometimes don’t consider our time or gas even small things. You have to consider those things, you have to know how to invoice and keeping track of your clients, your pricing, equipment , etc. You have to invest in equipment which is expensive, so you have to know how to correctly price yourself and put your money in the right places.

I think the most important thing is staying true to yourself. In this industry and more you see people charging higher amounts, maybe booking more or doing different things, but you have to commit to yourself. Invest more into yourself and believe. The best of advice I got was from the lady I look up to with photos named Amina. She told me a Chevy is made in a couple hours, cheap and it’s easy, but a Rolls Royce takes months to produce and they’re more expensive. Meaning that you should never under value your work. Stick to yourself and believe in it.

What was the most impactful thing your parents did for you?
Easily showing what hardworking is. You can’t teach a person to wake up and go to work, or how to deal with adversity. You learn by someone leading by example. My mom worked two jobs until I was 17. She’s the epitome of someone who sacrificed it all to make sure we had a roof over our head. My dad went through a rough patch when I was in middle school and to see him start from ground zero by putting in nothing but restless effort and waking up everyday even when he didn’t want to was enough for me. I tell people that some things your either born with or you aren’t and it’s that simple. By having two great role models like that made me who I am today.

Contact Info:

Image Credits
Ezekiel Kealoha

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