Meet Daniella Jin | Photographer

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

Hi Daniella, any advice for those thinking about whether to keep going or to give up?
I’ve actually often thought about whether to keep going or give up, and for me, it really boils down to passion. If you wake up excited to do what you love, if you find joy in the process and expressing yourself through your work, then that passion is a sign you should keep going. Sure, there are tough days and times when you might doubt yourself, but if the love for what you do is there, it’s worth pushing through. It’s all about enjoying the journey, and if you still find happiness in it, that’s your answer right there.

Let’s talk shop? Tell us more about your career, what can you share with our community?
What sets my art apart is the deep connections I build with the people I photograph and the joy they feel when they see their portraits. I primarily shoot portraits, and there’s nothing more rewarding than seeing someone genuinely happy with how they look in my photos. I only started doing photography seriously a year ago when I joined ArtCenter College of Design, but I’ve loved taking pictures since I was a kid. Back then, it was always on a phone, capturing candid moments of my family and friends.

Interestingly, my journey began with a focus on music. I spent years at Berklee College of Music studying film scoring, dreaming of being a singer and composer. It wasn’t until my fourth term at Berklee that I bought my first camera out of interest and started shooting my friends’ recitals and performances. The positive feedback was overwhelming; everyone felt I captured their true selves beautifully.

The turning point came thanks to my friend, singer-songwriter Echo Ding. She invited me to shoot her single album cover and behind-the-scenes moments. Echo always felt I understood her vision perfectly, something she didn’t experience with other photographers. Her faith in my ability and her encouragement gave me the confidence to pursue photography seriously, leading me to apply to ArtCenter.

Now, in my third term, I’m thrilled about everything I’m learning and the growth I’m experiencing. My journey wasn’t straightforward, but every challenge taught me resilience and the importance of following my passion. I want the world to know that my work is driven by a genuine love for capturing the essence of people, and I’m excited about the future of my photography career.

If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?
We’d start with a trip to Laguna Beach, my favorite place. The scenery is breathtaking, and there’s nothing like a day spent by the ocean. I love Hermosa Beach too for its long route next to the beach for riding bikes, or skateboarding. For food, we’d hit up Villa’s Tacos in Highland Park—seriously the best tacos ever, but be prepared to get messy! I also recommend the Getty Museum, and the Huntington library.

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’d love to give a shoutout to my friend, Echo Ding, who believed in me when I doubted myself. Her faith, encouragement, and support were the reasons why I started taking photography seriously. Echo’s unwavering confidence in my abilities has been instrumental in my journey as a photographer.

Instagram: djin.photography