Meet Dan Ampudia | Photographer & Editor

We had the good fortune of connecting with Dan Ampudia and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Dan, we’d love to hear more about how you thought about starting your own business?
For my business, it actually came as both a type of recovery method and a suggestion from my primary doctor. I was involved in a nasty car accident in May of 2017. The driver hit me on my passenger side and sent me and my car down an embankment and a barb wired fence brought me to a stop in a grass field. On top of it all, it was sleeting that day, so it wasn’t exactly the best driving conditions out there. What frightened me the most from that experience was when the paramedics and police came and examined the scene. They informed me that there were a few rocks embedded into the incline part of the hill and had my back tires hit those rocks, my car would have easily rolled and I could have died. Thankfully that wasn’t case and by July 2017, I was in for a post accident exam with my doctor and she suggested a few activities/hobbies to take my mind off of the accident and she happened to name photography. I gave it some thought for a while and since I was majoring in multi-media journalism for college at the time, I figured it would coincide well with my studies and thus, DTM Photography was born!

Alright, so let’s move onto what keeps you busy professionally?
I think what sets me apart from other photographers is not only my style of photography but also my method of editing (which is a 4 part process) and the vast quantity of finished photos that I give back to the models. Now, in terms of challenges, what I’ve faced more than a few times is criticism, no-shows, unprofessional attitudes, unconvincing excuses and unresponsiveness to my questions that need an answer. I’m pretty sure everyone has experienced at least one of these challenges or something similar at one time or another in the road that it takes to become a professional but I’ve learned that you have to shake it off, take no notice, find new opportunities and continue moving forward. That’s what will get you to that professional level easier. If you want to know me, just take that chance and say yes to a shooting request and I’ll make sure the experience of modeling and being in front of a camera is truly memorable as it is enjoyable.

Let’s say your best friend was visiting the area and you wanted to show them the best time ever. Where would you take them? Give us a little itinerary – say it was a week long trip, where would you eat, drink, visit, hang out, etc.
Some of my personal favorite spots would be Park Meadows Mall and the Villas in Lone Tree, Estes Park, Union Station and it’s surrounding restaurants, 16th Street Mall in Downtown CO, Castle Rock, Pearl Street in Boulder and any Starbucks cafe. In terms of places to do photo shoots, I typically look for a park that has all the essentials (paths, ponds, rivers or creeks, plenty of trees and bushes, etc.). Finding a park that has a little bit of everything gives more diverse backgrounds, it creates character with the photos being taken.

Who else deserves some credit and recognition?
I wouldn’t be where I am today without the help and talent from all the beautiful ladies that I’ve worked with so far in my life. There is so many talented models out there and I want to say thank you from the bottom of my heart! And to all the models that I’ll work with in the future, I can’t wait to meet you and you deserve the credit as well!

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