[upbeat piano music]
MARIA: Hey, Dane!
DANE: Oh, hey! [Maria laughs]
How's it going? MARIA: Good!
I'm hanging out here in Brooklyn,
and I heard you were setting up for a shoot,
and I wanted to ask you 21 questions.
Do you have some time? DANE: I do have some time!
MARIA: Awesome! DANE: Let's go!
MARIA: Awesome! Alright, so I'll get right to it.
Tell us: what type of photographer are you?
Oh, that's a great question. Um...
I feel like every day I'm trying to figure that out, but! [Maria laughs]
I am a portrait and commercial photographer.
MARIA: Cool!
MARIA: As a portrait photographer, who always deals with people,
how have you been adapting to this pandemic?
Well, it's been weird, to say the least,
but just making sure we get tested before every shoot,
wearing protective gear, sanitizing everything
and, when need be, keeping the social distance.
MARIA: Sure, and I know you've been busy over the pandemic as well.
Yes, very busy!
I had a baby.
MARIA: Wow, congrats!
Thank you!
So, yeah, it's a pandemic baby.
But, right in February, right before everything shut down,
I had a baby.
So I've been learning a lot learning a lot as a new dad, a new parent.
But yeah, it's been a very busy time.
MARIA: That's awesome, and what got you started in photography?
My interest in photography goes way back
before I even had a camera.
It goes--I used to read a lot,
and I used to--my mom used to bring home all these Nat Geographic magazines,
and I would read them,
but I got fascinated by how great everyone could tell stories just in a photo.
But, I always set out as a random goal of mine
that one day I'll do the same.
MARIA: Wow, that's awesome!
And, what was your first camera?
Oh! [Maria laughs]
My first camera was...
First working camera, I would say--
and that's outside of cell phones, right?
MARIA: Mhmm, yes.
Yeah, first DSLR was a Nikon D60.
MARIA: And what's your go-to camera and lens?
Go to camera and lens... I have the a7R III
and the new 35 1.4 G Master. [Maria "ooo's"]
MARIA: And, so, I know that you're a Sony Alpha Collective, right?
Yes I am.
MARIA: What does that mean to you?
It means a lot, um...
From where I started with photography as a hobby,
and to be highlighted and recognized by
one of the larger, if not the largest, camera makers in the world,
It means a lot. It puts...
It's a lot of responsibility. MARIA: Mhmm, yeah.
I feel like, you know, I'm representing a brand,
but also too it's inspiring.
You know, not only for me, but for other people that's coming into the field. It's...
It's a beautiful thing.
MARIA: Awesome...
And so what drew you to portraits and people specifically?
Well, I started off as a street photographer,
which is way less intimate.
And some background about myself:
I studied architecture-- MARIA: Wow!
and so I would love to see how people interacted with those empty spaces
because I'd show up way before anyone even came
and just like watched as the spaces filled with people.
But, I got more and more curious to kind of like learn the stories of those people
that would be in this places.
So I started going out with friends
and taking their portraits,
you know and trying to like learn more about them through that.
And, yeah.
MARIA: That's awesome!
And I know you continue to shoot a lot of film, right?
Yes! Film has now found his way into my daily shooting routine.
MARIA: That's awesome! What are you shooting with?
Right now, I'm shooting with the Mamiya RZ67.
MARIA: Can we see it?
Yes, you can! [Maria laughs]
MARIA: Wow, that's awesome! DANE: So, yeah
It's a challenge to lug around
when you when I go into like some sporadic walks,
but it's a beautiful camera.
One of the best cameras ever built!
MARIA: That's great!
And I love the way you incorporate ambient light and sunlight
in many of your images.
How did you learn to master your own style?
Lots and lots of practice. [Maria chuckles]
I would say lots and lots of practice,
but just paying attention. Just paying attention to how
light interacts with spaces, but also people,
how that light affects how someone looks
and brings out different emotions,
and just being patient, you know, because...
Even today, I was actually just on the phone with one of my friends,
and I'm telling him every single time I set up lights, you know,
I feel like I'm a rookie because I'm always learning.
So it's just being patient and practicing.
[music continues]
MARIA: And you do a lot of studio stuff, right?
Yes, I do!
MARIA: And so, can you tell me about the couple of series you've done?
Yeah! Um... Oh!
A few, um, but...
The most recent one I just completed was Connecting While Disconnected.
It was set up as a portrait/interview series
where I contacted a bunch of friends and family and community members
that was really close to me
to just kind of catch up with them,
interview them through the pandemic to see how they were doing
and capture their stories and intimate portraits as a time stamp.
Um, yeah!
[music]
MARIA: And your work is so diverse from the people and style.
Why do you think it's important that we capture all the different faces in the world?
Well, for me, it's super easy to be inclusive
because I live in New York City
and it's one of the most diverse places in the world.
But I do think it's important to have representation.
You know, growing up--and you've probably seen these stories all the time,
now that we have the internet,
that people talk about never seeing someone look like them
on television or like in photos,
and what that really means to be included into these conversations,
so I think it's very important.
MARIA: And so do you have any projects coming up?
Yes! Well I just spoke about the Connecting While Disconnected series.
I am actually working on a zine for that.
Looking for funding
Um...
But, yeah, I have a few projects I'm going to continue working on,
like a lot of like the personal ones that I've been developing.
You know, I have a series called Segmented Portraits,
which is the next one I'm going to bring to the forefront this year.
Um, yeah! I have a few projects coming up.
MARIA: That's great.
And, switching it up a little bit.
What are some tips for somebody looking to create
a unique portrait series in the way you do?
[whispers] Wow!
[both laugh]
Um...
Really pay attention to the story that you're trying to tell
um...
because I think a lot of times like we rush into projects
just because we want to create something,
and we don't know how to conclude it
because we don't really know the story we're really trying to convey.
So, I think sitting down and really paying attention to what that story
and why you want to tell the story
would really help you fill in all the blanks for that project.
MARIA: And coolest shoot you've ever been on?
Oh! Well, as I mentioned, I had a baby
in the middle of pandemic or at the start,
and so he just turned one recently, and...
With his new legs under him, it was very...
It was a great photoshoot.
I didn't know it was gonna be that challenging,
but we built the entire set
and did a nice little photo series for him.
MARIA: That's awesome!
And most challenging shoot?
Oh, that one as well! [Maria laughing]
[both laugh]
That one as well takes the cake.
MARIA: That's hilarious.
[music]
MARIA: Most impactful shoot you've been on.
Most impactful shoot, as I mentioned a few times,
my project, the Connecting While Disconnected series.
That one by far has been the most impactful shoot I've done.
It was tear-jerking.
It was beautiful.
It was draining, empowering.
Um, yeah. my entire crew was all--
We all left better people interviewing the series of people we did.
We interviewed about 20 people within a weekend,
sit here and hear all the stories and take their portraits
and also just to reconnect with all these people--
MARIA: Sure --after a year.
You know, it was a [at a loss for words]
Yeah, I don't even know if I could even compare
That to any other shoot that I've done.
MARIA: Yeah, that's awesome
And, if you could only shoot one type of portrait forever, music, street or studio?
Um...
That one is tough,
and I think my answer is probably going to change every single day
if I were asked that question again. Um...
[clicks tongue]
Maybe studio. I think, um...
When I'm in the studio and I get to curate some really creative lighting
and play with backdrops and work into a space that's more controlled,
I think sometimes I enjoy it more.
MARIA: Sure
And, if you weren't a photographer, what would you be?
Hm!
Well, I did mention that I also majored in architecture in college, so...
I think that's an easy choice, but um...
If I wasn't a photographer--this is a dream job
MARIA: Yes! Dream job
Um...
Anything creative, honestly.
I think that anything in the creative fields sparks my interest
or makes me happy. It fills my soul.
Yeah, once I'm creating, I'm happy.
MARIA: Best piece of advice you've ever received?
Meditate
MARIA: That's a good one!
And, aside from your camera, what's your favorite piece of gear?
Favorite piece of gear beside my camera...
Maybe my new B10's!
MARIA: Ooo! Okay, yeah!
And, if there were to be a movie about your life, [Dane laughs]
who would play you?
Donald Glover.
MARIA: Oh, nice! You have the same style
[both laugh]
Thank you!
MARIA: And last question, who should we interview next?
Jane Silva.
MARIA: Okay, awesome!
So, we'll call him right up! We'll let you get back to it
and wait for your model.
And thank you so much!
Thank you for stopping by!
MARIA: See ya!