In this Business Blast Podcast episode, host Tyler Wagner interviews John D'Amato, a branded lifestyle portrait photographer who helps speakers, coaches, authors, and photographers build authentic online presences. D'Amato shares his pivotal story of quitting his corporate job without a plan, enduring 2.5 years of varied photography gigs, and eventually discovering his niche through networking and mentorship. He emphasizes that social‑media images should serve storytelling, not just vanity, acting as visual punctuation for a brand’s narrative. His broader business advice encourages embracing failure, seeking help, and allowing creative play. When reflecting on his younger self, he advises compassion, self‑empathy, and taking time to discover personal values. D'Amato defines happiness as having purpose and balanced growth across business, family, relationships, finances, health, and continual learning. He cites a technique‑focused Joe McNally book as the catalyst for his photography career and shares his personal mantra, “social media is a long game,” underscoring patience in content creation. Listeners can connect with him via Instagram @D'AmatoPhoto and his website johndamato.com.
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Welcome to the Business Blast Podcast. I'm your host, Tyler Wagner. This episode is brought to you by Authors Unite. Authors Unite provides you with the support you need to finish your book. Best part is, after you finish your book, they take care of the entire publishing and marketing process 100% for you. So if you want to become a successful author, make sure to check out authorsunite.com. Now let's jump into the episode.
Alright everyone, welcome back to another episode of the Business Blast Podcast. I'm your host Tyler Wagner. Today I have John D'Amato with us. He is a branded lifestyle portrait photographer and content creation expert who serves speakers, coaches, authors, and photographers to help them create a powerful and authentic online presence. So welcome to the show, man.
Thanks for having me, Tyler. Appreciate it.
Of course. Grateful to have you here. So the first one I got for you, John, is what is the best story from your life that has an underlying valuable message?
What is the best story from my life? Well, I would say quitting my job and having absolutely no plan in place and freaking out and then ultimately deciding on this current niche that I've been working on. It was quite an adventure and it took about 2.5 years after I quit my job to finally go from jack of all trades photographer to taking any job I can just to pay the utility bills and the rent, to starting to meet the right people and networking in the right places and ultimately finding the person that inspired me to create this niche.
And what is the most valuable piece of information we should know that's within your expertise or industry?
I would say that the most important thing would be to know that, you know, when you present yourself through your social media, it is not just about the vanity. It is not just about how good you look in these photos. It's about how These images visually punctuate the valuable stories that you wanna tell about your business and brand. And it goes far beyond just, you know, appearances and the way you look in those photos.
And what's your best piece of overall business advice, so not necessarily industry-specific?
Don't be afraid to fail. Don't be afraid to ask for help. And don't be afraid to allow yourself the space to play and be creative and think beyond where you are today.
And if you could give your younger self one piece of advice, what would that be?
Oh boy, that's a long one. We'll make it short and sweet. I would say the thing that I would say to myself is take it easy on yourself and be more compassionate and more empathetic and give yourself the time to figure out who you are and what's important to you. And don't stop talking to yourself like you're not an important person in your own life.
And kind of go a little bit down a different path. In your opinion, what is the key to happiness?
Having a purpose and meaning and then creating a life that allows you to flourish in all areas of your life, which includes your, your business, your family, your all the relationships you have, your finances, your health, and, um, constant education and focusing on growth in all of those areas.
And what is the best book that you've read, and what was the number one thing you learned from that?
Actually, it was pro— I mean, I've read a lot of amazing books, but the one that, uh, really started the whole ball rolling towards photography was a Joe McNally book, and it wasn't even a conceptual book. It was technique-based, and it just absolutely opened my eyes to the possibilities. And yeah, that book really has a lot of resonance for me.
And what is your favorite quote and why?
I write about how I hate people posting famous quotes and write your own damn quotes. So if I could be obnoxious and pick something I've said, it's probably social media is a long game. And it's because that essentially encapsulates everything that not only am I going through with my own business, but the way that I educate photographers and thought leaders on the expectation level that they should have the moment they embark on developing content to help promote themselves through social and Actually, all of their online presence.
Yes, man. Well, listen, thank you so much for coming on. The last one I have for you before we let you go is, where can our audience best find you online?
Sure, I can be found on Instagram @D'AmatoPhoto, and of course, always my website, johndamato.com.
Perfect. Thanks again for coming on.
Thanks for having me, Tyler Wagner. Again, appreciate it.
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