Daly is behind many of the photos of your favorite creatives. His attention to color and dexterity for complementing the people he shoots stands out not just on his account, but on the accounts of those who share in his work.

The self-taught creative is originally from Orlando, Florida, and began to pursue photography in 2012. Daly started off majoring in film when he realized he enjoyed photography more.

Resolute Magazine was able to catch up with the photographer a while ago to discuss inspiration, trials, and triumphs.

Resolute Magazine: What is photography about for you?

Barry Daly: It’s a way for me to put my thoughts out into the real world. Not the way a writer does, but something visually that anyone can pick up and not only see my perspective, but hopefully be able to apply it to their own [perspective] and help them to grow. Ultimately, my goal with photography, with art in general, is to encourage people. To inspire people. [To] show people what life is like for people around them everyday.

Do you have any influences?

I think I get a lot of inspiration from conversation. A couple of my friends are really dope. One person that consistently inspires me is J. Givens.

What interests you most about your photographs?

For me, when I look at my work, it always interests me to hear how much something I made affects or impresses someone. I think that for me, everything about my work is found in the way people respond to it. It’s taken a while where I can get to the point where I can say I’m really proud of what I do. I think it’s because it’s easier as a creative, or an artist, to be hard on ourselves and our work… it helps [to hear that] the work I’m hearing is of value to others and it’s not just valuable to me.

What interests you about others photographs?

Emotions and the colors. I really love color.

How do you know when an image is a good image?

[It’s] always different. Every image is different. Every image is like a child, you know? There are subjectives to qualities that make [an image] good, but it’s really a case-by-case thing. There are certain things that are needed in every image to make it good, but sometimes what’s good in one image won’t be good for the other.

How would you describe your personality?

I’ve worked very hard to be considered mild-mannered. And, I know how that sounds… I’m an introvert with extrovert tendencies. I’m very introverted at the same time… I’m not gonna try too hard. If people don’t want to be around me, it’s cool. Because I’m cool just being around me. And I spend a lot of time figuring things out for myself.

What is your creative process?

My creative process is inspiration-driven because I feel like it’s really not. I feel like sometimes we get caught up in trying to create the next something and we get lost in the fact that we need to be working on something that speaks to us first. That’s original. So, I think a lot of times for m, my creative process starts with the simple things like just being out on a walk on my own or just driving somewhere. It always starts with something that’s a random moment, or thought. It also involves more than one person… that’s what makes things great; when you have good people to collaborate with.

What are some obstacles that you’ve had to overcome?

Not being white is probably the biggest obstacle I’ve had to overcome. As much as people don’t want to admit it, it’s easier for white people to make it in creative fields. Not only that, as much as white women love to talk about their hardships, it’s easier for them to make it as photographers than men. This is the way things are.

What is a failure that you’ve had to learn from?

When bad things happen, the best thing that I’ve learned to do is not dwell on them for too long. I give myself time to process it and to let it be a thing and then I’ve gotta keep moving. I don’t want to spend too much time in that.

Do you feel that social media affects the world of photography?

Yeah, it does. Most of the time negatively. I think that some people believe that the foolishness that is constantly presented on social media is what photography is. Just because someone takes a selfie, that doesn’t mean that it’s photography.

What’s the best thing about working in photography?

I think it’s important when it comes to any form of creating art that you have a purpose. And, that your purpose hopefully is, to create something that is different. Create something that makes people stop and think about it. Don’t let it just be pretty.

What is the worst thing about working in photography?

It’s easy for people to take advantage of you and not to focus on your worth. Trying to get what they need for as little as possible, not taking into account your time or how much effort you’re putting into each product.

Is there anything that I may have forgotten to ask?

I guess one thing that I feel is important to express is, for me, the reason why I do what I do is because I’m the oldest in my family. So, I’m really trying to set an example for my siblings that they can achieve anything that they want to. Just because people look at what I do as a non-traditional job doesn’t mean that it’s not a job and [it] doesn’t mean that I can’t make a way [for myself] this way. But, also, just so that I could give back to my mom. I don’t think I would’ve been able to do that if I had chosen another career path… My goal is to plant seeds and hopefully change the world. Even if it’s after I’m gone.