Meet Danny Minard | Freelance Cinematographer

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

Hi Danny, we’d love to hear more about how you thought about starting your own business?
Freedom. I wanted to break away from the restraints of a full time employer. I found jobs that were very fulfilling, however they were all positions where I had very little freedom of choice with what I was shooting. I wanted to be able to work on different projects involving a variety of subjects.

Let’s talk shop? Tell us more about your career, what can you share with our community?
While I still have a long way to go, I have come a very long way in just a few short years. I specialize in outdoor cinematography, with a significant portion of my experience being in the ski industry. I worked very hard to hone my skills to a level of professionalism that allows me to work in a frustratingly exclusive industry. I spent the greater part of the last two years working for Winter Park Resort as the resorts cinematographer, photographer, and editor. I learned a lot about my passion for ski imagery, and I learned a great deal about my work ethic and determination. I spent countless days pushing myself to physical and mental limits just to “get the shot.” I was so incredibly fortunate to have my imagery distributed by companies such as Ikon pass, The North Face, Smith Optics, and others. Many of these brands share my same determination to make outdoor recreation a more inclusive community. With that being said, I am deeply passionate about making the ski community a more welcoming and inclusive space, and telling stories about the land we ski on and it’s history. I want to tell more stories about underrepresented groups in these spaces and what their experiences have been like. As things currently stand, the ski industry is a largely white and elitist space. Beginners are largely looked down upon and mocked, and BIPOC individuals seem to mostly feel as though it isn’t a welcoming space. I want this to change, and I want to tell stories to help push change in the right direction.

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 think Denver’s value lies largely in its proximity to the Rocky Mountains. I have a deep love for Fraser Valley, as I lived there for nearly two years, so many of the outdoor recreation I do is in that area. The hiking, backpacking, fishing, etc is all excellent. Rocky Mountain National Park, is also just north, and I think it’s a must-visit. I only moved to Denver itself two months ago, so I still have a lot to learn about it. I like sports so whenever a friend visits, I’m likely to try and go to a baseball or basketball game. I also am loving City Park Jazz on Sunday nights in the summer. Climbing gyms are also a great way to meet new people and exercise in a social setting. There are several Movement climbing gyms that are pretty fun!

Who else deserves some credit and recognition?
There is a community of people, and an organization I have been a part of since I was 12 years old. Camp Nor’wester. It is a summer camp in the San Juan Islands of Washington State. This is the community that raised me in many ways. It’s the most unique camp I have ever heard of. It’s on a tiny outer island, and has a trip program that sends kids and teens out on 5 and 4 day trips. I have been heavily involved in the waterfront program. This place is where my love for the outdoors really came from, and this community is what made me who I am. To care deeply about others and the natural world. To have my motives in life come from a place of selflessness and giving. My love for cinematography revolves around the natural world, and I want to tell stories about people in these outdoors spaces. All of this stems from my experiences as a child and young adult being a part of that program.

Website: www.danielminard.com

Instagram: @dannyminard

Linkedin: Daniel Minard

Image Credits
Skier Credit: Connor Ryan, Birk Irving, and Caite Zeliff