BIG Folio is honored to present a conversation with the brilliantly-talented Dan O’Day. Dan has graciously agreed to answer a few of our questions for the first post of a new blog series we like to call “Artist Spotlights.” So, without further ado, Mr. Dan O’Day.
BF: You are based in Australia, but you work internationally. How often do you travel? And where are some of your favorite places to go?
I have only (this year) advertised myself as being available internationally, the good news is that since doing this, I have secured a booking in the Cook Islands, as well as receiving two other inquiries from Tokyo and New Zealand. Hopefully, I will secure these bookings as well. I spent some time in New York last year and am returning for a month in June. During my stay I am hoping to take advantage of this trip to team up with some photographers and shoot some weddings and personal work.
BF: Did you have any other occupation before becoming a professional photographer?
Yes, it is a time in my life I am trying to block out: a place of blue and gray carpets, smelly air conditioning, artificial smiles and whispers over coffee in the hallways. Photocopiers are also involved.
BF: So when did you realize that you could make a living shooting pictures?
About a year ago. I guess the trick is looking at the results you have been getting, believing in yourself and your work, and then… taking that leap of faith.
BF: Was there a photographer (or anyone else) that inspired or influenced you?
Yes, I am inspired by many things, photographers, painters, music. I like to think that all of these influences stimulate my creative juices. To give you some examples, some of my favourite wedding photographers are Marcus Bell and Tony Marin, lately I have been loving the work of Justin DeMers, Jose Villa and our own Samm Blake . Art photographers Sally Mann, Gregory Crewdson, and Trent Park are but only three in a VERY long list of art photographers that I admire and that inspire me. Painters: Jean Michel Basquiat, Cy Twombly, Gerhart Richter and Cherry Hood. Music: Sigur Ros. I also do a lot of my post to the sweet sounds of the cinematographic masterpiece BARAKA.
BF: How would you best describe your style?
Illustrative and expressive. I love faces! I like to try and capture “that thing” that a family member, or a friend “does” that makes them “them” to the client. I will jump at any chance I can get to make a piece of art out of a moment.
BF: Any horror stories you’d like to share? Something bad that happened during a shoot?
Who me?! Ok. Ok.. Back when I was first starting to shoot weddings, I used to have my assistant back up my flash cards to a laptop as the day went on and on occasion re-use the same flash card if I was running out of space toward the end of the day. On one occasion, I cleared a card that had not been downloaded successfully to the lap top and I lost about 200 shots. Thankfully, they were probably the nicest couple I have ever met and were extremely understanding, in fact, they tried to console me! To this day we remain good friends.
BF: Do you ever do any photography just for fun? If so, what are your favorite things to shoot?
Yes, I do. I exhibit heavily with my fine art photography, a lot of this imagery consist of lone figures in urban and natural landscapes, usually in ridiculous times of the morning to put emphasis in the “stillness” of a moment. In 2007 I also worked on a fun project where I photographed (from my mobile phone) people sleeping in public places from Barcelona to LA. This series is called “sleepers” and is an ongoing project.
BF: Any predictions on the next big trend in the wedding photo industry?
With the way camera technologies are going, I anticipate (unfortunately) a trend where wedding film makers and wedding still makers will begin to venture into the others worlds. For example, the still cameras coming out of late with High Def video recording options are making it easier for photographers and videographers to explore the option of trying to take on both. This may create a blurry line between some filmmakers and still makers. Hopefully we all stick at what we are good at and focus our extra energies and technology into making us even “gooder” at what we already do well. But who knows, In the future, you might even see Dan O’Day Photography (and High Definition digital DSLR video studio) opening up on a street corner near you.
BF: What type of local publications or resources do you advertise in? What about international publications?
There are two local Canberra publications that I advertise within, the rest I leave to the internet. I would love to start shooting a lot O/S so maybe advertising in international publications might be the next step.
BF: What are you working on next?
Well next on the cards for me is an exhibition of my fine art photography opening at Catherine Asquith Gallery in Melbourne next week. The week following, I will be undergoing an intense designing regime of my fine art wedding album options. I am really looking forward to this! And then hopefully, I will be organising meetings with some fellow shooters for the short time I will be in New York this year- fingers crossed something exiting will come of this.
