Meet Dustin Moon | Portrait and Commercial Photographer

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

Hi Dustin, we’d love to hear about how you approach risk and risk-taking
There are certainly times where I think about how wild it is that I’m a full-time photographer now. I’ve been running my photography business since 2019, but didn’t go full time with it until the summer of 2021; coming off of the pandemic and leaving a secure job with steady income seems insane to me now. There was a lot of anxiety and second-guessing in that first year.

Things have settled now, and the business has grown with each year that has come and gone. I feel incredibly fortunate to be doing something I genuinely enjoy for my job now, and I’m so glad I took the leap. All of the most worthwhile things I’ve done in my life all carried a degree of risk; going full-time freelance in a shaky market will probably rank in the top-3 big swings I’ve taken.

What I’d say to anyone who might be in a place where they’re wondering if they should take a big leap in their career, I’d say to go into it with a plan. For me, pursuing a career in photography was a risk, but it was a calculated risk. Weigh your pros and cons, and at the end of the day, if it makes you happier, it’s probably worth it.

What should our readers know about your business?
My business is primarily based around commercial, portrait, and branding photography. During 2020 and 2021, a lot of my work shifted more towards headshots and personal branding, and I’ve been stoked with the switch. I particularly love working with other small business owners. I like hearing their story and their vision for their brand. My job is to create visuals that will make an impression, and I truly enjoy the collaborative process in working with the business owners. Aside from the photos, I would say my clients are always happy with my streamlined and clear process, communication from start to finish, and my turnaround time in sending out the deliverables.

For anyone seeking professional photography services, I would encourage you to really take a deep dive through any photographer’s portfolio. Get in touch with them, and get a feel for their workflow and process. If you vibe with your photographer and think you’ll have a solid rapport, your shoot is going to go great.

If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?
Anyone visiting me in Denver could probably expect to spend some time outside with some nice views and eating some good food afterwards. This is probably cliche for Colorado, but if it ain’t broke….

I’d probably try to get out of Denver a bit to chase some nice scenery, and head down to the San Juans to find some good hikes and views. I’m not much of a planner; I’d probably just get out and start driving and make stops wherever we get to a cool spot. I started in photography with travel and landscape photography, so as long as the surroundings are nice, we’ll be fine.

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?
There’s too many to list here. Every single day, I’m grateful for my friends for their support, my clients for their trust in me, and anyone who has taught me anything about cameras and photography. This job has helped me meet some inspiring people, travel to incredible places, and make a living creating.

Website: www.dustinmoonvisuals.com

Instagram: instagram.com/dustinxmoon

Image Credits
The Block Agency, Wilhelmina Denver, Isla Salon/Vie Hair Extensions, LinkxLou