Meet Daniel Jenkins | Photographer – Design | Architecture | Travel

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

Hi Daniel, what’s the end goal, career-wise?
For me, the end goal is fluid. I believe a career in photography, like life, is all about the long game. It’s a journey that will inevitably have setbacks and successes. It is continuously evolving. Today, my professional work is centered around architectural and design focused photography. But, that may not always be the case. I have a strong ambition to grow creatively – both personally and in the types of work I document.

Through my work, my hope is to be able to look back on a well documented life… I want to know that the work I create made an impact for my clients. My hope is that the people – whether they be family, friends, clients, colleagues, or strangers – that view my work find beauty and inspiration through it.

Overall, my desire is to live a fulfilling, adventurous, and meaningful life on my own terms. This is not an easy thing to do. My profession and my business allows the opportunity to take on that challenge and make it a reality. It keeps me hungry. At the end of the day, if I’m able to do all those things while still putting myself and my family in a financially comfortable place, I’ll view it as a success.

Alright, so let’s move onto what keeps you busy professionally?
Please tell us more about your art. We’d love to hear what sets you apart from others, what you are most proud of or excited about.:

I’m a professional photographer based here in Denver with a primary focus on architectural, design, and travel-related work. I believe that my focus on detail and storytelling help set me apart in the field. I aim to find and show emotion through my work, which is something that may not always be evident in the subjects I’m tasked to document.

Overall, I’m most proud of my approach. When I take on a project I want to understand its scope and history fully. With architectural photography especially, I find that there is a need to slow down and find meaning behind the design… Why were certain materials used? How does the structure fit within it’s natural landscape or the built environment? My end goal is to document my client’s projects while telling a story through the structure, its materials, and its surrounding landscapes as well as the overall impact these things have on on the architecture itself. These same things translate to my work in travel photography. When I travel – for work or pleasure – what excites me most is creating photographs that capture the intersection of those elements, and that inspire the viewer to want to come see a place for themselves.

How did you get to where you are today professionally. Was it easy? If not, how did you overcome the challenges? What are the lessons you’ve learned along the way.

Any self-employed person will tell you that it’s a grind and it is not easy in any way, shape, or form. There are constant challenges – most notably the huge initial challenge of breaking into the industry and being recognized as someone who can do the job well. Beyond that, there is the challenge of sustaining yourself financially for the long haul. It’s all on you – which is both a blessing and a curse. I’ve been successful and able to withstand these challenges to date my waking up every morning and doing something – big or small – towards advancing myself and my business. Networking has been huge for me – over the past few years I’ve had over a hundred coffee meetings, zoom meetings, events, and phone calls with people I’d like to work with or who I find have found success in their fields… For me, it’s all about moving forward, advancing and growing within the craft and learning from the mistakes I’ve made along the way. I try to never get too high or too low – just enjoy the ride.

What do you want the world to know about you or your brand and story?

Through my work and as a photographer, I strive to capture authenticity in both time and place. My aim is to create photographs that show beauty and emotion in unexpected and interesting ways. Through the documentation of architecture, design, as well as the people and landscapes they impact, I believe my photography shows and enhances the vision behind my client’s work, all the while helping to tell the story of their projects.

Any places to eat or things to do that you can share with our readers? If they have a friend visiting town, what are some spots they could take them to?
I’m a big fan of the Highlands neighborhood, so I’d start our day with coffee at Steam Espresso Bar on Tejon Street. The shop’s located in an old firehouse and the vibes are always great. I love to get outside, so after coffee we’d take a drive out of the city and get in some hiking on the trails around Boulder – Enchanted Mesa and Royal Arch are a few favorites. It’s always nice to hit up Avery Brewing for lunch and a few post-hike brews before heading back down to the city.

In the evening, I’d start with drinks at The High Lonesome in LoHi – a great old school biker bar with a little edge to it and incredible cocktails. For dinner we’d hit up Alma Fonda Fina – just up the hill on 15th Street. The space is intimate and very well designed. In my opinion, this spot has the most authentic take on contemporary Mexican food in Denver. Order an Aquachile and the Camote Asado and wash it down with a few Avocado Margaritas or Oaxacan Old Fashions. Simply amazing stuff!

After dinner we’d head out for a show at Red Rocks – you just can’t beat a night under the stars at the best live music venue in the country!

The Shoutout series is all about recognizing that our success and where we are in life is at least somewhat thanks to the efforts, support, mentorship, love and encouragement of others. So is there someone that you want to dedicate your shoutout to?
I have a few shoutouts here.

First and foremost, my wife, Diana. Di’s my number one. She has been and continues to be an aggressive supporter of my ambitions. She’s my best friend and my muse – I love her more than anything!

I also want to throw a shoutout to my parents, Daniel and Leslie. They instilled in me a belief that life can be anything you want it to be. They’ve always pushed me to follow my passions and not look back. I thank them for planting that seed in me at an early age.

Last, my pup, Leo. He keeps me company on editing days and mountain hikes. He’s been the subject of many photos over the years and is simply the best dog. His happy spirit and ability to always live in the moment are a constant reminder for me to live life now – in the moment – and to see and appreciate all the beauty there is in this world.

Website: https://www.danielscottjenkins.com

Instagram: @danielscottjenkins

Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/daniel-jenkins-3b413546

Image Credits
All photography by Daniel Scott Jenkins