Today we’d like to introduce you to Damon Decker.
Hi Damon, thanks for joining us today. We’d love for you to start by introducing yourself.
I didn’t pick up a camera because it looked cool—I picked it up because I’ve always been drawn to stories. I started in wedding videography, and I loved the feeling of taking real moments and turning them into something people could relive forever. Then I realized something: I could tell stories with photography the same way I did with video. The principles were the same—light, emotion, timing, composition—just captured in a single frame instead of a sequence. That’s what pulled me into photography, and it’s what made me take it seriously.
Early on, the hardest part was money. I had one job paying $15 an hour, and real life still had to get handled—rent, food, the basics. There wasn’t a safety net. But my drive was louder than the pressure. I dedicated the time anyway. I studied, practiced, and built my skills the way a lot of self-starters do: by learning from what I had—YouTube, repetition, and a refusal to quit.
The moment I knew this was real wasn’t a big viral moment or a lucky break. It was personal. I realized I’m a self-starter. In every job I’ve ever had, I naturally ended up in leadership—either someone put me there, or I stepped into it because it needed to be done. That’s when it clicked: if I can lead in someone else’s system, I can build my own. I can be my own boss— and I can win doing it.
Today, D3D serves corporate clients first and foremost—because businesses don’t just need “coverage,” they need content that makes them look credible, polished, and ready for what’s next. And I also serve families and seniors, because those moments matter too. At the core of it all, my work is about helping people celebrate their existence—capturing proof that they were here, that it mattered, and that it was worth remembering.
We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
Investing in gear was one of my first real tests, because photography gear is not cheap. and rent and food still took precedence, every single time. I wanted to build the business the right way, but I also had to make sure I could keep my car and keep my house, so every upgrade came with a decision and a sacrifice.
Then there was client acquisition, which is its own mountain to climb. Getting leads, being taken seriously, and knowing your pricing—knowing what you’re worth—are things everybody has to master. Because without those, you’re not really making money whatsoever, and you’re not building something stable. I learned quickly that talent isn’t the only thing that matters; you have to be able to communicate value and stand on it.
And if I could do back then what I know now, I wouldn’t have offered so much of my services for free. Yes, you do need to do free work at some point to get started and build your portfolio, but the length of time I did it was astronomical. I’m grateful for what it taught me, but I’m even more grateful that I’m in a better place now—where I don’t need to do that, and I can say no more often with a smile!
Thanks for sharing that. So, maybe next you can tell us a bit more about your work?
I’m the owner of D3D Photography & Videography, and I create premium photo + video for corporate teams across the DMV—especially events—so companies walk away with content that looks high-end and actually gets used. I specialize in fast, stress-free coverage with same-day sneak peeks and a polished, design-forward look, and I’m known for capturing real emotion and energyI’m most proud of building this as a self-starter and earning trust from respected organizations, and what sets me apart is the all-in-one experience (photo + video), speed of delivery, and a client-first process that turns one event into months of marketing.
I shoot a wide variety- Families, HS Seniors, Weddings, Birthdays, Anniversaries—people have told me they can *feel* the moment in my images.
I keep striving to set myself apart because I don’t want to be just another ant in a colony of black ants; I want to be the red ant.
Are there any books, apps, podcasts or blogs that help you do your best?
I used to read mostly non-fiction, especially self‑help books. Lately, however, I’ve been drawn to fiction, often gravitating toward horror and mystery.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://D3dphotoandvideo.com
- Instagram: @D3DPhotoandVideo
- Facebook: @D3DPhotoandVideo
- LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/damongdecker/
- Youtube: @d3dphotographyandvideography
