Daily Inspiration: Meet Manny De Los Santos

Today we’d like to introduce you to Manny De Los Santos.

Hi Manny, we’re thrilled to have a chance to learn your story today. So, before we get into specifics, let’s briefly walk us through how you got to where you are today.
My story began on a weekly commute to the BestBuy electronics store with my father 12 years ago. We’d go every Friday, to be exact, to gaze at the latest televisions on display and to tinker with the newest laptops and smartphones. One day in particular, when we walked inside the store, instead of heading towards the television area, I immediately had a strange feeling. I decided to walk straight ahead until I came across the photography camera section. I curiously looked around and picked up a camera, which instantly felt comfortable in my hands. I held the camera to my eye, which felt like an extension of my body and soul. At that moment, I had an epiphany and knew right then that photography was what I wanted to do for the rest of my life since I was just a college student without much direction. I left the store, and that night, I started researching camera brands and the technology behind them. I looked up countless tutorials and everything I could learn about photography. The following week, I walked back into BestBuy and bought a camera from a new brand that needed to be more relevant. That camera was a Sony Nex 5n. I decided on that specific camera because it perfectly captured my personality. A quirky, rebellious, unknown underdog that doesn’t conform to society, since at the time, the two big camera brands in the world were Canon and Nikon, and everyone used those cameras. I wanted to stand out, do my own thing, and blaze my path in the industry, so what better way to do that than by using an unheard-of camera brand at the time?

The first time I went out to use my new camera coincided with the annual Wichita River festival. I took candid photos of people having the time of their lives during the festival. I had no idea what I was doing but decided to post the pictures on social media. The photos received lots of positive attention from outlets, and the rest was History, as they say. I ended up working for the Wichita State University newspaper as a correspondent for the Wichita Eagle newspaper, then started shooting for the Wichita State basketball team when they had the perfect undefeated season, so I had the honor to travel with them all over the country during the NCAA tournaments, got published in the New York Times and Washington Post. It all happened so fast.

Next thing you know, I’m traveling the country shooting weddings, Quinceañeras, and corporate events, and eventually started shooting music videos and going on tour with bands. I was honored to shoot social media influencers with 10 million plus followers and a UFC fighter. I never once imagined my career would come this far, and it all started with a trip to BestBuy. So, I’m forever grateful for the opportunities I’ve had. I hope to continue blazing my path and prove that anything is possible as a Mexican-American who came from nothing.

Would it have been a smooth road, and if not, what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
Some obstacles along the way are that acquiring new lenses, camera bodies, computer parts, and hard drives adds up throughout the years. The startup cost is high, but the rewards pay off in the long run. Other struggles have been saying yes to everything, sacrificing sleep, and sacrificing time with friends and family since I became a workaholic to complete every assignment I was given.

Thanks for sharing that. Please tell us more about your work.
I’m a photographer and videographer specializing in photos and video for Quinceñeras, weddings, and other events. Music videos and family and maternity sessions are also part of my repertoire. I’m known mostly for having shot the sporting events for Wichita State University(Basketball, baseball, volleyball, tennis) and being a photojournalist. I’m proud to be published in the New York Times and have shot for the Wichita State basketball team. What sets me apart is that I go above and beyond to capture candid moments and satisfy customers and clients with the results, and seeing them teary-eyed when they see my end product makes it all worthwhile.

Is there anyone you’d like to thank or give credit to?
My biggest inspirations that helped me believe in myself are the Wichita Eagle staff photographers(Travis, Jaime, Fernando). I’ve always secretly admired their work, and they gave me the confidence to pursue photography since I’ve always been a shy introvert. Seeing them shooting assured me that I could achieve some success in this profession. They are the rockstars of photography in my eyes. Also, all the sports photographers I shot along with while shooting the WSU basketball team. They were all welcoming and friendly, and I strove to be as good as them. They were always blessing me with knowledge and answering my camera settings questions. Regarding a supporter, I was the sports editor while working for the WSU newspaper. She allowed me to shoot sports, which got me into shooting professionally.

Contact Info:

• Instagram: Instagram.com/mannydelossantosphotography
• Facebook: Facebook.com/mannydelossantosphotography
• Other: Facebook.com/mannydelossantosphotos

Image Credits
Photo of Manny(The photographer being interviewed) taken by Kaylena Chupp. The rest of the photos were taken by the photographer being interviewed-Manny De Los Santos