Donald Miralle
Photographer
“I try to be true to the way I see things through my lens...That’s the hardest part, to not be influenced by the way other people see it or the way you think it should be seen.”
Videos
By Roadtrip NationDonald Miralle
Milestones
My road in life took a while to figure out.
Born and raised in Southern California.
Attended UCLA, where he started as a biology major with the intention of one day becoming a doctor in order to satisfy his parents’ wishes.
During his sophomore year, he realized that he didn’t really like biology and that his true passion was in art—ended up graduating with his degree in fine arts.
After graduating, he began working with different portrait photographers in Los Angeles, but this work wasn’t fully satisfying him.
He decided to answer a vague Los Angeles Times classified ad looking for photographers for a sports photography agency, and ended up getting a job as an photo editor instead.
Working for that company gave him the time and access to eventually start practicing his photography at sporting events.
He is now an award-winning photographer best known for photographing some of the world’s greatest athletes, biggest events, and most remote locations.
He is also the founder of Leucadia Photoworks, a full-service studio and photographer collective in North County San Diego, California.
Keep following my journey
Education
High School
Career
Photographer
I am an award winning sport, landscape, and portrait photographer.
Career Roadmap
My work combines:
My work combines:
Art
Entrepreneurship
Being Creative
Day to Day
As a freelancer, I have to actively go out to find jobs and clients so that I can keep getting paid. I travel a lot because my jobs and clients take me all over the world. Every day and every job is different. A project usually starts by meeting with a client to go over the creative brief and establish what they are looking for and go over terms of our contract. The goal is to always do a great job so that they become a repeat client which makes business easy.
Advice for Getting Started
Here's the first step for high school students
Master the craft. Nowadays with the technology we have available, people have started calling themselves photographers even though they don't know how to manually expose or focus a camera. Learn the basic skills and understand the intricacies of a camera. Don't hesitate to reach out to people that you admire in your field of interest to get their advice and mentorship.
Hurdles
The Noise I Shed
From Parents:
"You have to be a doctor or a lawyer."
Challenges I Overcame
Changed Major
Financial
Work Stress
Interviewed By
UCLA Roadtrip
University of California, Los Angeles students and alumni
