How Photography Will Change Your Life Forever

What’s poppin’, people? It’s Dante. This morning, I’m waking up inspired, full of curiosity, and I want to share some thoughts with you. It’s early—I wake up around 4 AM every single day.

I like to go through my photos, develop lectures and slideshows, and hopefully provide insights that help you on your photography journey. Photography has fueled my lust for life. Because of photography, I’ve lived an enriching, meaningful existence.

The World Is Waiting for You

I want you to experience this. I want you to get out there and explore the world. Photography is not just about photography—it’s about how you engage with humanity.

“Life is outside of the four corners of a frame.”

The world is open. Your mind, your body—it all needs to step beyond the box. If you limit yourself to one way of doing things, you become stagnant.

Move Your Body, Move Your Mind

Get on a train, a plane, a bus.
Take a long walk or ride your bike.
Go somewhere new—even within your city.

Here in Philadelphia, I remind myself of this constantly. I can go from the center of the city to the Wissahickon Forest. As a kid, I explored there—climbing trees, building teepees, sharpening spears, and attempting to hunt deer. That spirit of adventure never left me.

Break Free From Routine

Most people live life on repeat:

Wake up.
Go to work.
Come home.
Repeat.

“You’re living the same day on loop every day in these modern cities.”

But there’s more. Imagine if you could go train with a Zen samurai master in the mountains for a month. You could do that. You could do anything. Photography has blessed me with experiences I never dreamed of—photographing conflict in Palestine, exploring Zambia, documenting life in Hanoi, and climbing the mountaintops of Mexico City.

Life Is Like Minecraft

You ever play Minecraft? In survival mode, you need food, you need shelter, and you mine for diamonds block by block. That’s life.

“We’re just a bunch of pigs with carrots on a stick, living for the future.”

But what if you switch to creative mode? Unlimited blocks. Unlimited options. That’s the mindset shift.

Photography and Presence

Photography is about being fully in the moment. Whether I’m in Rittenhouse Square, Logan Square, or walking along the Schuylkill River, I remind myself:

“Look at the trees. Listen to the birds. This is awesome.”

We have a past. We have a future. But neither is my concern. My concern is waking up curious.

Consistency Is Everything

You won’t get better at photography by shooting once a week. Improvement comes with:

Discipline
Curiosity
Courage
Consistency

“If you go out only once a week, you’re not going to improve.”

The more you practice, the more you see patterns in light, human behavior, and movement. Eventually, you’ll time decisive moments by instinct, effortlessly ordering the chaos of the streets.

The Spirit of Play

For me, photography is play. I wake up early because I can’t wait to get outside and join the dance of life.

Each day, I aim to increase my curiosity by 1%. That’s the goal. That’s the path. And that’s what keeps me moving forward.

Final Thought

“Anything is possible with photography. You don’t need preconceptions. Just put your mind, body, and soul out there on the front lines of life.”

Now go out there and move. See ya.