Brandon Daruna

I have been attracted to cameras and photography for the majority of my life, but never really considered what about the art form was appealing. I was raised in New Orleans, attending grade school in the French quarter, immersed in culture and characters from all walks of life. My love for people began during these formative years and continued as I became a paramedic in the city. Being a first responder, however, fundamentally changed me as a person. I first began to insulate myself from the humanity of my patients, which progressed to general isolation, as a method of coping. I moved to Colorado, believing a change of venue would allow me to find my original love of human connection, but I grew more distant and superficial in my relationships.

In 2009 I met a person who helped me begin to understand my isolation and I was fortunate enough to marry her. I am sure at this point you are wondering what the hell this has to do with photography, hang tight, I am almost there. As I began to reconnect with my humanity, and let people into my life, things began to change. I started to find success, becoming an administrator in EMS, ending my clinical career and leaving me missing the patient connection. The birth of my son coincided with a decision to attend graduate school at the University of Denver to better my abilities as a leader.  This path led me to spend a month in Africa, studying the economics of healthcare in a wasteland of access to care. On a whim I decided to bring my camera and I quickly realized two things: I can intimately connect with people through my lens – similar to my missed opportunities in EMS, and I am passionately in love with photography.

In 2019 I began to focus on moving this passion from hobby to profession, with the goal of further developing my skill and sharing my passion with like-minded people. I seek opportunities to develop intimate connections with customers, documenting a moment in their lives in a timeless way that communicates far more than a simple snapshot or phone picture. If you are aligned with this idea, I would love to discuss how I could provide value to you for your family or event.

Thank you for viewing my work,

Brandon