Today we’d like to introduce you to Daniel Shippey
Daniel, we appreciate you taking the time to share your story with us today. Where does your story begin?
Photography has been a permanent fixture in my life for over 20 years. I think a lot of creatives owe it to their parents in regard to their beginnings. I am no exception to this sentiment. My parents were always very supportive and encouraging with my photography career. Without them I would not be who I am today.
I actually remember taking my first photograph ever. My father handed me his old Pentax film camera while we were visiting a Native American burial mound in Georgia. I held up the camera and looked up at my father and pressed the shutter button. It’s a blurry memory for me now some 30+ years later. And I’m pretty sure the picture I took of my father turned out a little blurry, too! Everyone has to start somewhere, right?
One thing lead has to another throughout my life. I can trace a lot of the work I have to this day back to about 4-5 original sources. I worked with a lot of bands and local businesses when I was starting out. This eventually lead to me photographing clients like Bruce Willis, Mel Gibson, Dustin Hoffman, 2 Chainz, Lil Job, Third Eye Blind, Awolnation, X Ambassadors, Silverstein, Mayday Parade and many others.
I still do entertainment photography for solo artists, bands and actors. I also do a lot of commercial based work these days for medical companies, manufacturing plants, corporate offices, etc.
I still make time for personal projects, too. I believe that is important for career creatives. It is easy to get lost in the work sometimes. That’s what I always take on a few personal projects each year to feel alive and to remind myself why I wanted to do this in the first place. This year will be my first year offering timed, limited edition print releases of American Landscapes. I’m excited to offer large giclée printed photos on high quality archival paper. I’ve already ordered several test prints and excited to release these images to the public.
The future is still wide open! Looking forward to it!
-Daniel C. Shippey
We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
Owning a small business as a solo entrepreneur is challenging. Every day has its set of challenges to overcome. For me it is mostly the internal battle to stay motivated, inspired and disciplined. Sometimes I have to work when I don’t feel like, just like everyone else, right? Even though I love what I do I can still have bad days from time to time. Ultimately I believe my worst days as a self employed person are better than my best days if I were working for someone else.
Practically speaking, I have been through rough times in my career. Sometimes it has been hard to pinpoint what lead to those moments but I think learning about time and resource management through a small business lens has been key for me. Budgeting just looks different when you’re not guaranteed a set amount of income per month. It’s key to balance everything has best as I can to make it through slow seasons or unexpected trials or changes in schedule.
Alright, so let’s switch gears a bit and talk business. What should we know about your work?
I specialize in creative portraiture for entertainment and commercial clients.
I have photographed for brands such as Google, Amazon, BASF, Bayer, Wayfair, Hospital Corporate of America, Porsche and many others.
I have also done portraits and lifestyle photos of actors like Bruce Willis, Mel Gibson, Dustin Hoffman, Josh Duhamel, Robert Knepper, Luke Wilson, Sissy Spacek, Michael Rooker, Olga Kurylenko, Elisha Cuthbert, Frank Grillo, Kevin Dillon, Maria Menounos, Alexander Kane, Thomas Jane and many others.
I have also photographed many bands and artists such as X Ambassadors, 2 Chainz, Lil Jon, Awolnation, Third Eye Blind, Mayday Parade, Flora Cash, Silverstein, Alexandra Kay, Mitch Rossell, Sean McConnell, Cyndi Thomson, Pepper, Less Than Jake, A Wilhelm Scream and many others.
I have also contributed Editorial photography and written pieces for South Magazine, Garden & Gun, The Guardian, THOM Magazine and many others.
I also keep a personal blog detailing some of my personal projects and experiences. One of my favorites was a photo and written essay about my time with Okefenokee Joe. Okefenokee Joe spent two decades in Nashville writing songs and performing with the likes of Johnny Cash, Roy Orbison, Bill Anderson and other golden era legends. He eventually left Nashville to live off the land in the Florida Everglades as well as the Okefenokee Swamp in Georgia. I first heard about him as a child via his PBS series “Swampwise”. Okefenokee Joe spoke at public schools, educating many young people about natural wetland habitats and native history. In 2021 I spent a whole day with him at his hand built house and listened to him tell stories about his life. It is a day that I will never forget. Okefenokee Joe passed away in January of 2023.
Is there anyone you’d like to thank or give credit to?
My parents have been supportive since day one. Their encouragement and support has been everything to me. I cannot thank them enough for everything they’ve done. They have been there for me during the highs and lows.
I also want to give a shoutout to my amazing girlfriend, Olivia. She has been a constant source of confidence. Sometimes she helps me do photoshoots and scheduling for my business. Ultimately, her listening ear and valuable feedback has been what’s elevated my creative career to the next level.
I cannot thank all of my collaborators and clients but you know who you are!
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.danielshippey.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/danielshippey/
