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I started a new job a couple of weeks ago, Chief Photographer for Time Out Sydney magazine.
It's pretty bloody exciting, getting paid to take pictures fulltime. And for a magazine i've loved as a reader while travelling, one that's just starting up in my hometown.
It's an unplanned career turn. For the past seven years i've worked in the web design field. I have a communications degree, but no formal training in photography. When i took up the hobby about 5 years ago i never dreamed that one day i'd be "Chief Photographer" for a world recognised magazine title.
For the past few years my passion for working on the web was drifting. That coincided with my passion (some might say obsession) with photography ever increasing.
I kept getting more and more freelance photography jobs. My pictures had appeared in magazines all over the world, but the income i was making was little more than pocket money. I continued to work full time in my day job while doing photography on the side.
When i was approached about taking up the photography gig at Time Out it was a no brainer. A regular income taking pictures everyday for a magazine i love. So far i've shot chefs, drag queens, venues, tourist attractions, food, a swimming pool, coffee, a fashion designer and a musician.
I couldn't imagine a much better job.
Comments (45)
Congratulations Daniel - and how exciting that TimeOut is finally coming to Sydney - with your photos its bound to be a big hit.
Posted by Ryan Peal | August 23, 2007 12:44 PM
That's bloody fantastic. Well done.
Posted by jen | August 23, 2007 1:14 PM
Couldn't happen to a nicer and more deserving photographer. Top work Dan.
Posted by Matt | August 23, 2007 1:19 PM
Wow, thats great, very jealous. Well done mate...
Posted by Ari | August 23, 2007 1:24 PM
Very proud of you, Hot Photogroper.
xx
Posted by Jess | August 23, 2007 2:04 PM
Congratulations
Posted by Thu Giang | August 23, 2007 2:48 PM
Congrats! Will you still be able to shoot for Drum et al?
Posted by Simon A | August 23, 2007 3:08 PM
congrats again dan. some of the things you've already photographed sound quite awesome so i hope it continues for you.
keep setting a great example for us amateur photographers dreaming of a better place... :)
Posted by lucky | August 23, 2007 3:25 PM
Congrats mate. Glad you turned down British Balls.
Posted by syms covington | August 23, 2007 3:57 PM
Incredible...I've been waiting for an update of your site for a couple of days, all the while thinking "oh, Dan must be busy with his REAL job".
Congrats. It was your blog that inspired me to get a 30d 18 months ago.
From the pic it looks like you're using Lightroom rather than Aperture. Looks a little more intuitive to me.
Keep the updates rolling in...
Posted by Sevi | August 23, 2007 4:10 PM
Kudos, Dan. Look forward to seeing the first edition.
Posted by Sasha | August 23, 2007 6:06 PM
Thanks all :)
Sevi - i'm just using Bridge. I used to use iView Media Pro but it kept crashing on me. I've never tried Aperture or Lightroom.
Posted by Dan | August 23, 2007 7:12 PM
Congratulations Dan! Can't wait to see your work!
Posted by Sean | August 23, 2007 7:29 PM
mate - working for time out!!! well done
interesting that the are starting up in sydney also - it is a bible here in london town as you would know
rock it
Posted by mic | August 23, 2007 7:54 PM
That's awesome - congratulations!!
Posted by Rachel | August 23, 2007 7:54 PM
Congrats Dan.
Give 'em hell.
Posted by Nate | August 23, 2007 10:58 PM
Once again Dan, big congratulations! Can't wait to see what will be coming our way on the blog over the next horizon ;)
Posted by James | August 24, 2007 1:29 AM
Hmm,
I didn't know anything about this. You never mentioned it once......
Seriously though, I'm glad you're enjoying it. See you in January.
Posted by Bobbo | August 24, 2007 2:38 AM
Congrats, Dan!
Posted by Amy | August 24, 2007 4:13 AM
Excellent. Congratulations!
Posted by The Countess | August 24, 2007 8:39 AM
I'm really excited for you Dan! Time Out was very handy last time I was in London, so I can't wait to see the Sydney version.
Posted by Roshan | August 24, 2007 9:50 AM
well done dan, very excited for you! you inspire me so i think the mag has just got a new subscriber!
Posted by belle | August 24, 2007 10:46 AM
That is bloody unreal!! I've really enjoyed watching this journey of your unfold on here. Congratulations!!
Don't forget...your 'hobby' is now tax deductible!!!
:-P
Vix
Posted by Vixter | August 24, 2007 3:33 PM
That's fantastic news Dan!!
Congrats mate.
N
Posted by Nic | August 24, 2007 7:11 PM
félicitations, tes photos sont superbes...tu méritais ce poste.
amitiés photographiques
franck (from france suburd of paris)
Posted by franck | August 24, 2007 11:02 PM
Hi,
Just wanted to tell you how happy I am for you.
I am following your adventures through the updates on your website and I find that you deserve this hot job into photography.
Well done. All the best.
Hope to meet you one day.
Manu
Posted by Manu | August 24, 2007 11:36 PM
What a wonderful and exciting change in life.
You truly are inspirational, Daniel.
I remember when I first discovered your blog and it was full of photos of you and your friends jumping and out at bars.
I've pretty much watched you grow as a photographer, gain confidence and I've seen the passion grow in you just through reading your blog and meeting you along the way.
Congratulations...I'm certain that you'll be as well known and as celebrated as Tony Mott in years to come.
Posted by amanda | August 25, 2007 12:46 AM
Congratulations Dan!
That's fantastic that Time Out has come to Sydney. It will be interesting to see how it goes down as it obviously costs money but in people in Sydney town are used to free street press.
Posted by Matt | August 25, 2007 2:33 AM
Good on ya mate!
Find your passion, follow your passion, and good things will come! It inspires, it motivates, and fulfills.
If you shoot in RAW, Lightroom brings back detail in blown-out highlights. It also allows you to change the WB and exposure of your pictures like many RAW conversion softwares out there. But it is more intuitive and easy to use.
Posted by ww | August 25, 2007 8:49 AM
That's awesome...hope you can still blog some of your adventures when you get time...sounds like a great gig.
Posted by Adam Weathered | August 26, 2007 9:09 AM
You do take lovely pictures.....congrats.
Posted by Helli | August 26, 2007 11:02 AM
Congratulations, Dan :) like i said it's always great to see one of the good guys getting ahead.
Having a job that satisfies your passions is one of the greatest things you'll ever experience...glad you've found it! x
Posted by Talitha | August 26, 2007 11:58 AM
CONGRATS!!!!!!!!!!!
Posted by bennoss | August 26, 2007 1:55 PM
That is so great Dan! Congratulations!
Posted by Clinton | August 26, 2007 9:20 PM
Dan - awesome. You put the HOT in photographer.
xxx
Posted by fluffy | August 26, 2007 9:38 PM
It's all about the Saturn Return.
I think I can finally kick my day job in too...
Look forward to the first issue.
Congratulations. xx
Posted by Veronica Sywak | August 26, 2007 10:10 PM
Congrats Dan!
What a amazing job to start, Time Out is a great mag and your photos will be a wonderful addition to it. Way to go!
Posted by Amanda | August 27, 2007 2:18 AM
gosh, congrats dan! definitely well deserved, and so very proud of you!
Posted by barb | August 27, 2007 12:31 PM
big congrats Dan, that is great to hear!
Posted by Helen | August 27, 2007 8:15 PM
Congrats
Lightroom really streamlines the workflow & I'll just second what was saids above
"If you shoot in RAW, Lightroom brings back detail in blown-out highlights. It also allows you to change the WB and exposure of your pictures like many RAW conversion softwares out there. But it is more intuitive and easy to use."
& Aperture tends to be a bit of a procceser hog .......
happy snaps
Posted by Charles C Stirk Jr Jr | August 28, 2007 1:57 AM
congrats man.thats so good
Posted by stricker | August 28, 2007 12:45 PM
Dan, that is just the best news...
its been pretty obvious for some time that an offer like this was just around the corner...
and Time Out.... yowser. TO was my favouritest NY guide - i hope they make one just as good for Syders.
you really have to change your little profile blurb now.
Posted by morgan | September 3, 2007 3:07 PM
Congratulations Dan!
I have to say that this is so freakin cool! I think it is amazing what talent and a passion for something like photography can do in so little time.
Your story is an inspiration and your photography is my primary measuring stick for quality.
All the best from this Floridian in The US of A!
Posted by Mike (From The States) | September 8, 2007 3:08 PM
damn you! you lucky lucky LUCKY baaaaastard! I dream of jobs like that.. whilst I work full time as a digital processing dogsbody for a photolab..
oh well, at least the weekend's are still fun getting killed in tiny music venues taking band photos.. aaah :)
Posted by Spoz | September 13, 2007 10:21 PM
fantastic Dan - just awesome... and love the most recent photos especially the one of patience..
Posted by jess l | September 19, 2007 11:59 PM