Meet Daniel Lozada | Portrait Photographer

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

Hi Daniel, how has your work-life balance changed over time?

That’s probably one of the most important things I try to keep in check. I don’t like the feeling of being constantly overwhelmed with burnout. I think the perception amongst many photographers is that if you’re not burning yourself out then you aren’t working hard enough. I don’t think I’ve ever felt the burnout I see people humble bragging about on social media, but I’ve learned to not take on more than I’m capable and be more strategic with how I want to improve my skill set in order to get bookings based on where I see myself further on in my career.

I’d rather not sacrifice a season of sleep if I can help it. Quality over quantity. Setting proper rates for a healthy living wage is crucial to that too.

Let’s talk shop? Tell us more about your career, what can you share with our community?

I focus predominantly on portraits spanning the advertising, editorial, and photo journalism worlds. I’m excited to be seeing the budding fruit from all the hard work I’ve put in over the last decade. It was kind of lonely at first because photography can be unfairly seen as a competitive field, so it was difficult in many ways. However, if you love something enough, the hard times don’t really intimidate you because your eyes are looking ahead to the good that will come if you just keep at it.

One of the many lessons learned: keep making your art even when you aren’t being hired. Give yourself assignments to work on, go to bookstores and read books, park yourself in front of a magazine rack and look at the images that stand out to you. Try to figure out how the photo was made and replicate to learn rather than plagiarize.

A huge challenge is being a BIPOC creator. The fact of the matter is that people don’t take you seriously and are seen as unprofessional until proven otherwise. Locally, at least in my Midwest city of Cleveland, I couldn’t even get a job as an ASSISTANT in certain photo houses like Kalman & Pabst or local magazines. I actually got hired on the marketing photography team at Cleveland Clinic. I beat out all other candidates because my work stood out. But, after my first day, the HR team pulled the plug on my contract because I did not meet the bachelor degree requirement and “should have been weeded out during the application process.” Funny stuff and embarrassing for them to let an “unqualified” photographer show them that they’re ways of acquiring talent is an outdated formula made to uphold gatekeeping. Meanwhile, New York Times and other national publications and agencies will tap me for commissions. It can be very frustrating with the imbalance of that and people lacking vision to hire new blood that doesn’t look like themselves. Without Diversify Photo allowing people like me to be seen on a broader scale, I may still be frustrated and questioning if I was good enough.

My story is not uncommon: Self taught person of color trying to overcome gatekeeping and lack of opportunities, financial inequality and few local influential voices for guidance during the critical learning years. That’s why I’m just now seeing results ten years into the game. I’ve learned to persist and continue being the best I can be so that I can discover more and more about the art I love. The jobs and commission will come if you find ways to grow and not stay stagnant.

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.

Well, first off, pizza. I can end the conversation at that but for the sake of giving more recs, I’ll continue haha Edison’s pizza in Tremont is probably the best I’ve had (and I lived in NYC). For tacos, we’re going to Hola Tacos or La Plaza in Lakewood. If anyone tells you Barrio, they don’t know tacos.

Cleveland also has one of the country’s top rated museums, and get this…it’s FREE admission. Who else has that?! After the museum we’d walk to Little Italy and grab some authentic pasta. Catching a 90’s theme dance party at one of the coolest and oldest bowling alleys/bars – Mahall’s.

Nightcap drinks at The Spotted Owl for a chill vibe.

Nothing beats a solid day at Edgewater Park and Beach. Whether you wanna ride your bike, walk your dog, people watch, or let your pet python or tortoise get some air (yes, I’ve seen both). Just don’t do swimming in the water haha

Assuming you’re visiting in the summer, grab some food and drinks downtown before and or after catching a baseball game at Progressive Field.

Who else deserves some credit and recognition?
There’s a lot of internet resources that helped me learn and shape my eye. People like Chase Jarvis provided that with Creative Live. Sometimes there are teachers who believe in you enough to propel you to push yourself and a gentleman by the name of Jonathan Wayne was that for me, as well, when I was ready to give up photography. Even to this day I appreciate resources like The Portrait Masters provide. There’s so much information that really doesn’t say or teach much in depth, so when you find substantial information that will truly help you grow, soak up as much as you can.

Website: Daniellozada.net

Instagram: Daniel.ozada

Image Credits
Diana Galay