Daily Inspiration: Meet Daniela Duncan

Today we’d like to introduce you to Daniela Duncan.  

Hi Daniela, can you start by introducing yourself? We’d love to learn more about how you got to where you are today?
I’m a photographer living in beautiful Charleston, SC. I was born in Brazil and graduated in Mass Communication with a major in Journalism. Photography was a passion of mine since I was a teenager when my father gave me my first camera. Books with wildlife and historic pictures were my most treasured gifts. In college, photography classes were my favorite. For a while, photography was a hobby and not my main occupation. I first worked as a reporter and producer in Brazil, and then as an interpreter for an international law firm in the US for several years. 

While sharing my captures online, my pictures caught the eyes of a Getty Images editor and I was invited to submit my images for licensing. Now Getty Images represents most of my nature and travel images – and they’re often used in news articles, products, and ad campaigns. It’s been an unexpected, incredible journey – my captures have been published all over the world. I’m so thankful for that and I especially love when my work is used for educational purposes. Some of my select images can also be provided upon request; and limited framed and metal prints are sold when I exhibit them personally. 

I so enjoy connecting with people and hearing how my captures moved them or spoke to them! 

I love being in nature, watching animals, and traveling – I mostly photograph wildlife, tranquil paths, reflections, colorful blooms, and beautiful, interesting places. 

I’ve learned so much and I’ve been so inspired by photography! On Instagram, I often pair my pictures with the information I’ve researched about the animals, subjects, and places I photographed – or with texts that came inspired by photo walks. 

I like to think that my images have an uplifting, inspiring feel to them and my hope is that they elicit a positive emotion in the viewer. 

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?
With photography, you’re always learning. There’s always room for improvement. So that’s humbling and exciting. As far as challenges for professional photographers, people using and posting their images without licensing, permission or proper credit is always unfortunate.

Alright, so let’s switch gears a bit and talk business. What should we know about your work?
I gravitate towards photographing vivid, colorful subjects. The SC Lowcountry is my muse – so full of life! 

I love when my images are used to inspire, inform, and educate and I love it when they are used in unexpected, creative, and fun ways. One of my pictures is a top-selling jigsaw puzzle – this was fun to see. I’m humbled to have a few of my pictures on books and magazine covers. 

How do you define success?
Success is loving what you do! And having time to do it. And being able to do it on your own terms. I feel blessed I’ve achieved that with stock photography. 

Contact Info:

• Website: daniela-duncan.com
• Instagram: https://instagram.com/danieladuncan

Image Credits:
Gau Souza