My name is Danny Trujillo. I am a photographer based in Bangkok, Thailand. I have now lived here 9 years in total. I am originally from the great state of Colorado in the United States. I started the BKK Collective with some friends during Covid. A group of friends and myself were going out and doing street walks around the city to capture the silence. Everytime we went, people would ask us to invite them to the next one. So we did! Since then we've been doing some type of photography related event/ happening every single month. Throughout the 2-3 years it has had an amazing response. We've connected and met with so many amazing creatives while doing this. We host photowalks, workshops, galleries, parties and more. We are looking to expand to art in general in the future, not just photography. So I'm excited for that!
David - When did you first come to Thailand & what initially brought you here?
Danny - I first came to Thailand in 2013 as a backpacker! At the end of my trip I met a lovely girl who later became my wife! So that is the biggest reason I am still here.
David - What made you stay/ leave?
Danny - Aside from just settling down, I've stuck around this long because the quality of life here is really quite good! The food is amazing, there's amazing destinations just 2-3 hours away either by plane or car. Also it's been great for my growth as a creative.
David - Were you photographing before or was it something you picked up after arriving here?
Danny - As a traveler, I've always loved taking photos. Though not professionally, I always tried to get the best result. So while here in Thailand, I really started to take it more seriously. I never really had a plan with photography. I have just been following the path and have been trying to learn as much as I can while I do it. I try to shoot every day and whatever situation I'm in, I just try to do my best while I do it!
David - If you were photographing previously did Thailand change the way you approach photography?
Danny - Since moving to Thailand, my approach to photography has completely changed. Before my arrival, I only had a GoPro, an iPhone 5 and a hand-me-down Nikon that I had no idea how to use. It wasn't until one day a shot of mine caught the eye of a girl traveling to Bangkok. She sent me a direct message and asked if I would take her portrait and how much it would cost. Before that DM, I never even dreamed of photography as a way to make money. So from that point forward I've worked every day to improve my skills and learn as much as I can with a camera in hand.
David - Is there any challenges that you face as a photographer unique to Thailand?
Danny - Because I've never really photographed outside of Thailand, the only challenges I face have all happened here. These challenges I look at as positive because they are ways to improve and learn. Honestly the biggest challenge for me is time. Going out in the heat/ traffic in Bangkok takes a lot of time. Taking the photos the way you'd like takes time. Coming home to edits takes a lot of time. This is my biggest challenge that I'm constantly trying to get better at managing.
David - What small thing, (on a daily basis) inspires you most during your time here?
Danny - I'm constantly inspired by growth. I don't know if it's a small thing but I love being in motion, trying to grow every step of the way. I grow by trying everything I can, trying every style I can. I hardly ever say no, I'm always willing to try new styles and to learn and do my best each time I do it.
David - Is there something perhaps larger or more poignant that you took from your time here?
Danny - My time here has been extremely positive all around. There's so much to experience and learn in a big city like Bangkok.
David - What makes this country so fascinating to photograph for so many people?
Danny - So many things! The people are friendly, the colors are vibrant, the action never stops and the light is ever changing. Also, because Bangkok is so popular, we get people from all over the world to draw inspiration from and to connect and create with.
David - Is there a certain location here in Thailand that you hold dear to your heart?
Danny - Yes, so many places but the most special to me is Pai. I met my wife in Pai. I lived there for one year and love nature, simplicity and peace.
David - Please share a photographic technique or philosophy, a tip for someone reading this.
Danny - Challenge yourself as often as you can. If you forget something on a shoot or if something isn't working with your camera, shoot anyway! Figure out a way. I'm sorry, this is a very difficult question for me to answer. Just shoot a lot, try new things, try new techniques. When I shoot I don't stick to certain techniques that are constant in all of my work.
David - A question I always ask is what relationship do you have with the viewer and how does that affect you when shooting?
Danny - If I'm shooting for a client of course I must care and think about what my viewer wants. If I'm shooting for fun the only viewer I worry or care about is myself. I want to enjoy my photos or at least learn what I could do differently on the next one.
David - Please share a sentimental photo from your time here and what makes it sentimental to you.
Danny - This photo of the two hands on the wall is a sentimental one. It's the hand of my mother and the hand of my wife. It has elements of my favorite things in it. It's shot on film. I love film, I love traveling and this photo was taken in India when I was traveling with my mom and wife- they just got Henna done. Two special people and the two other things I love.
David - Bonus “Gear Talk” question, what equipment do you use and how does that help with your photography?
Danny - If you see me outside you'll almost always find me with 2 cameras. My main digital camera is a proudly beat up Canon EOS R. I use this camera every single day and it is the single best investment I've ever made. It's a workhorse and it's taken me to some amazing places in this world.
My second camera would be a film camera. I started shooting both digital and film at the same time. Film is fun, film is perfectly imperfect and I normally shoot it with a Pentax K1000, a Canon EOS55 or a Pentax 67.
Make sure to check Danny out on Instagram @true.heo where you can keep up to date with his projects, If you want to see more of his personal work on film, (lots of nice 6x7 scans) follow his @filmjuntz account and last but not least keep up to date with whats happening with the BKK Collective on @bkk.collective and perhaps we will see you at a future meet up!