I recently wrote and email to some friends and clients about 2020 and looking towards 2021. I’ve attached it here if you’re curious what we’ve been up to:
Hello friends,
A friend suggested I send a yearly update to my clients, friends, and those that find themselves in both categories (that’s most of you!)
What. A. Year. I’ve never been thrown so many curveballs in my life and I’m sure you’re probably feeling the same. I’ve had some of my lowest moments this year dealing with the effects of this pandemic in my own family. If you’ve endured suffering too this year, I feel for you.
While there have been dark points this year, there have been positive moments for me as well. This has been our best year yet. I’ve been floored by not only how quickly we’ve integrated video production into our services, but also how willing our clients have been to utilize our new offerings. I’ve been photographing for 15 years and while photography is undoubtedly my first love, I draw immense pleasure while storytelling with video content. I’m so thankful that we’ve had wonderful clients interested in our creative video content services alongside our photography services. I’m pleased to say that our business is now roughly made up of 70% video and 30% photography.
Some of our 2020 projects
With this increased interest in video, I’m working with long-time friend and collaborator, Tom Gavin, on a small agency dedicated to servicing industries outside of my traditional customer base. The Now Agency specializes in identifying and conveying the key differentiating elements of companies to ensure potential customers understand their value. While this venture is just beginning, I’m excited to expand my bandwidth and work to bring well-established businesses into the 21st century.
Also, we worked with our first video intern, Yani Trujillo. Yani graduated from Taylor University with a B.A. in Film and Media Production and hails from The Canary Islands. This was a pretty big deal for our team, as she’s our first video-focused intern. She’s been a joy to have on set and a real asset in the editing room. We can’t wait to work with her more in 2021! If you’re interested in interning for us, please drop me a line.
I also have to thank another team member, the ever-helpful Hector Pacheco for helping me with everything from editing, to organizing, to really just being my jack-of-all-tradesman. I couldn’t have done this without you!
We’ve worked on all sorts of fun projects in 2020. From our trip to Cancun with Curioso in February shooting photography and video that recently won two Gold Key Awards, to our video project with Danish company Kvadrat Fabric, to shooting a video for one of my favorite brands Notre in collaboration with Hoka One One, it’s been one hell of a year. There are a bunch more projects you can peruse at Danielkelleghan.com or on the ‘ol instagram.
I’m hoping that in 2021 we have the opportunity to help even more clients in the hospitality and advertising space with their strategy, creative direction, production, editing, and audio needs. There’s a good chance we can bring your photography and video content to the next level.
OK, enough of the business stuff. On a personal note, Katrina and I hiked Machu Picchu in January which was breathtaking. Also, Hector and I have had a blast DJing throughout quarantine. Our live sets (aptly named “Covid Grooves”) have been a shining light at the end of many hard days. It feels almost magical to get the creative juices flowing in new ways. Hector also moved below me and now we jam out once or twice a week (Hector on drums, me on bass). Lastly, I had the privilege of officiating two weddings this year! While the circumstances were nothing close to normal, it was an incredible honor to join some really close friends and family in their unions together.
Thanks to each and every one of you that has helped me this year in both big and small ways. I certainly could not have done this year without all of you wonderful people in my life. Thank you thank you THANK YOU!
Looking forward to 2021, if you think that there’s anyone that I should meet either a client or even a friend, I’m always game for introductions.
All in all, I have to say, I couldn’t be more excited for where things are going in 2021.
Stay well my friends,
Dan
