Meet Dayna Marie | Musician/ social media creator

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

Hi Dayna, why did you decide to pursue a creative path?
I first started off my career with photography and videography. When I was young I picked up a camera and from then on it’s all I wanted to do. I had dyslexia so it really helped spark my creative side. I also started painting and drawing and focused a lot on people’s faces in my art. Everything I worked on reflected my creative side. I started shooting a lot of different creators and they were always telling me that I should get into social media, which is how I ended up where I am now. I often get a lot of questions on whether I miss videography and photography and although I still keep my hobbies going in my free time, I do really miss being behind the camera on a daily basis. I also miss the full creative side of things, but it helped me to get to where I am today.

Alright, so let’s move onto what keeps you busy professionally?

My passions keep me busy both personally and professionally. During my photography journey, I would sit down every single day and send around 100 emails to companies to get my name out there and ask if they had any budget to work together. One of the creators I was shooting with told me that I had good humor and suggested that I make a TikTok. I was very hesitant at first because I had never shown my face in front of the camera and although I was very insecure, I figured I had nothing to lose. I took the chance and I remember it was my fourth video I ever posted that blew up only because everyone seemed to be hating on me and calling me ugly. I was sad at first but then decided it wasn’t worth my tears because to be getting over 1 million views was a huge win for me and ultimately led me to my new career path. This got me to post every single day without caring about the negativity that came my way. I started using the knowledge I had with photography and instead of reaching out to brands about working with them as a photographer, I decided to start reaching out about myself. I ended up getting accepted into the LA film academy for pitching a film that I hope to one day make about my mother’s life (based on a book written by her). One of my biggest passions in life is to make this movie and also to express myself through my music which I am actively working on now. I’m using TikTok and social media as leverage to move into what I really want to do with my career. Another one of my passions that keeps me busy is the environment. I’m originally from San Diego, however I spent a lot of time in Hawaii. I call Hawaii my home because that’s where I really found myself and became the woman that I am today. My experience there was incredible, I had to really learn how to survive off the land and live with such gratitude and love for my surroundings. While in Hawaii, I started familiarizing and educating myself with the coral reef system and specifically what’s going on in our ecosystem. Did you know that without the coral reef our oceans will suffer? People don’t usually know that we get 2/3 of our oxygen from the coral reef and without it our oxygen levels would be scarcely low. I’ve partnered with the coral gardeners to help rebuild the reef one little step at a time. This is so important to me and the best part is that I get to use my platform for good.

Separately, I’ve gone through a lot in my life and appreciate that I have a platform to speak to the younger generation. It’s so amazing having an audience that I can share my experiences with and help people who may not have anyone else to turn to. I’m Only 22 years old, I have so much growing to do and a lot learn. Words cannot describe how lucky I feel to have a community with so much opportunity and the ability to reach as many people as I do.

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?
If you couldn’t guess, the first place I would take anybody visiting LA would be the beach of course! Specifically, I would take them to Malibu because it has the most beautiful beaches in LA. I would take them for a drive up Topanga Canyon for some of the best views and incredible hikes (specifically one that takes you up to an old graffitied bunker). One of my favorite things to do is to go downtown and sneak onto one of  the rooftops and find a helicopter pad – great for photos! Everyone visiting should always go to Santa Monica pier and try out one of the rides. Every time I have a spontaneous friend come visit I take them to jump off the backside of the pier (definitely not allowed but so fun). My friends and I also love to go to a spooky hospital in Pasadena and it’s about 8 stories and completely abandoned. I would take visitors to eat at Boa, Water Grill and Pink Taco. Water Grill has the best clam chowder and the best crab ever, Boa has the best steak in town and when I tell you the best Caesar salad you’ll ever eat! Pink taco has the best tacos and the best guacamole.

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?
Sam Kolder played a huge role in steering me in the right direction with my career. He is the best videographer and creator I have ever seen in my life when it came to how to start off on social media. Alex Warenn who told me to get into social media. When it comes to my mindset and how I view things I have to give all of that to Will Smith. I read his book, he is just so insanely talented and I’ve learned so much from him. In regards to my music, I am completely inspired by Labrinth, Billie Eilish and K.Flay and if you mix all those together it’s me.

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/daynamarie/

Twitter: https://mobile.twitter.com/daynamarie1738

Facebook: Facebook.com/daynamarie

Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCmMW0kdDUNJUQhAMnvySa6A

Other: Snapchat: https://www.snapchat.com/add/daynamarie1738_id=ODI0OTY5&locale=en_US; Music: https://fanlink.to/missinlove

Image Credits
Shania Houchens