Today we’d like to introduce you to Dorian Santana.
Hi Dorian, it’s an honor to have you on the platform. Thanks for taking the time to share your story with us – to start maybe you can share some of your backstory with our readers?
I started my Career in Photography eight years ago right after High School. It was more or less a hobby since I went to school for Graphic Design. I went to Lone-star North Harris for one year and it honestly was not for me. Both of my parents are in Real Estate, which I look up to both of my parents as they were always encourage me to exceed in anything I put mind too. One day my Mom asked if I wanted to start taking pictures of houses for extra money so I took on the challenge started learning Photography at 18. Luckily both my parents worked a Re-max office so I had access to all the other agents there. My first camera was a Canon 70D with a 10-18mm Lens and was charging the agents a whopping $40, sometimes I wouldn’t charge at all. I definitely had my ups and down on growing my name and getting more work in Real Estate photography, I do it all for my two boys and my wife.
In 2020, I started my Photography business and It really took off even with COVID all around us. At this point, I was doing more than Real Estate. I got into doing Family Photos, Senior Photos and even picked up doing Video work as well. During the Quarantine, I was still going out taking photos of houses but no one wanted/needed portraits. As of now, I worked for the Nicole Freer group, Subaru, Dirtfish, Hoonigan. I have good Handful of agents that uses my services for real estate. I’m constantly shooting for new companies and businesses around the area photos and videos!
Can you talk to us a bit about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned along the way. Looking back would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?
Defiantly had hard times when I moved out from my parent’s house wanting to do photography full time. I remember looking through the couches with my wife now, girlfriend at the time. Just to eat dinner, and we barely had enough to eat Ramen for the night. My wife has been there through the thick and thin. Always pushing me and encouraging me to do better.
Can you tell our readers more about what you do and what you think sets you apart from others?
I shoot Real estate photos/videos. I am into shooting automotive so I shoot a lot of Rally racing. Family photos, senior photos. I do videos for a company called Global Ceramic. Got to do a video on $19 M Private jet plane. Fighter Tank, $2.5 M Fighter jet plane. Custom ATVs for a youtube channel, etc.
Any advice for finding a mentor or networking in general?
I had a few mentors that helped me and I also mentored other photogs. Best thing to do is go out to events offer free lifestyle photos or create a club of photographers and models to shoot lifestyle photos you’ll learn from other photographers and models as some might have more experience than you.
Contact Info:
- Instagram: @asapdst
- Facebook: @space_cityphotog
Image Credits
Nicole Freer Jaydon Medina Graciela Santana Ken Block Hoonigan
