We can train, we can strive to better ourselves and we can even achieve success but unless we listen to our inner self we will never truly be ‘doing what we love’. Today’s interview will inspire you to look out for those moments of epiphany and listen to your heart.
Donal Doherty is a destination-wedding photographer who calls Northern Ireland home. He photographs stunning weddings in amazing locations with people who rock and also inspires other photographers to create a business and life they love!
1. How are you leading a life ‘doing what you love’?
I am blessed as I spend my time capturing life and love.
Shooting the weddings of incredible people, not only in the most stunning locations in Ireland and the UK, but around the globe.
At home in Londonderry I get an insight into families full of love and create something for them that will last forever. I also have the opportunity to share my story and strategies to help other photographers and creatives by speaking at conventions around the world and through my writing for Photo Professional Magazine. Each year the balance I have gets better and I am supported by an amazing family, friends, peers and my girlfriend, Margaret.
Image by Peter Thomas Photography
2. What did you do before this?
After studying for an MA in International Management in Edinburgh and Örebro, Sweden, I volunteered at the Olympic Games in Athens and worked at the International Broadcasting Centre. This led me to a career in public relations (PR) and I joined an agency in Belfast. While there I worked on PR for some of the world’s leading super brands including Specsavers, PepsiCo and Walkers among others.
A move to London in 2005 saw me join Regus owned serviced office company, Abbey Business Centers, where I was based on the 28th Floor of iconic London landmark The Gherkin. While at Abbey I was part of the marketing team for their portfolio of boutique offices across the UK.
It was when in London that I took a photography course at Morley College and this ignited my passion. I moved home to Northern Ireland in 2007 and set up a PR agency that went on to handle communications for many of the events and organisations in the region. A side arm of the business was a modeling agency and I also ran Derry Fashion Week, all of which lead to a number of award nominations, including Entrepreneur of the Year, Tourism Event of the Year and Outstanding Young Communicator.
3. Can you describe how you have harnessed your previous expertise in PR and Marketing in your life today?
Having a background in marketing and PR has been a huge advantage to me as I was able to grow my business really fast and establish myself as the market leader.
I will admit in retrospect I made a lot of mistakes with my previous business and when the buck stops with you it can be very difficult. However I wouldn’t change those experiences for the world as they taught me so much about how to successfully run a business and the pitfalls to avoid. It is OK to make mistakes as long as you learn from them.
4. What is it about being an Entrepreneur that excites or motivates you?
I like the idea of being the master of my own destiny. I find being mired down in bureaucracy doesn’t suit me and I much prefer the ability to influence my business in the decisions I make and to react with speed to changes if need be. Entrepreneurship is exhilarating. The highs are higher and the lows are lower. I’ve been through some hard times in my previous business that have helped me to steer a steadier ship with my photography business.
I went from managing around eighty people to managing myself. I started again and stripped it back to create a business I loved from the grass roots. The start-up phase is a wild ride. Will this concept that you have dreamed and sweated for be the success you hope it will be? Sometimes the answer will be yes and other times it will be no. I have found by taking time to consider and plan things out in advance you enhance your chances of success.
Image by Julia Horbaschnk
5. What prompted you to take the photography course back in 2006?
I usually try and learn one new skill a year. Last year I learnt how to ride a motorbike and in 2006 I decided to explore photography. I always loved taking photos and trying to be creative with my point and shoot camera, but technically didn’t have a clue. I bought my first SLR, a Canon 350D and enrolled in a summer photography class led by Julia Horbaschk at Morley College in London. I was inspired and wanted more so signed up to a year-long City and Guilds course.
For the next year I was prolific, shooting and sharing 30 to 50 images a day on my Flickr account. It wasn’t long before one of my friends who was getting married asked if I would shoot their wedding.
6. We understand you had a ‘Jerry Maguire’ moment whilst working in Australia? What do you think is was on that particular day that allowed you to acknowledge your inner passion?
Even though my business was successful I came to realise my heart wasn’t in what I was doing. For six months before this one of the biggest marketing companies in the UK were in the process of becoming partners in the business. Unfortunately this deal fell apart at the end of 2009 just before I left for Australia to shoot Tom and Lorelie’s wedding.
On 19th December 2009 I stood in a vineyard South of Melbourne, the sun split the sky as I photographed an amazing couple’s wedding and I had a ‘Jerry Maguire’ moment – it hit me like a ton of bricks. This was my true purpose; photography was what resonated with me on a deeper level. At that moment I decided to throw caution to the wind, to follow my dreams and radically change my life.
When I got home I sold the modelling agency and wound down the PR agency.
Image by Peter Thomas Photography
7. Were your friends and family supportive of your new career and lifestyle approach? If so how and if not how did you deal with this?
I think it was a surprise to some of my family and friends, but they always knew I had a passion for photography. Some people also knew my heart was not in what I was doing as I wasn’t getting to be creative.
My mum was supportive and really proud of me. When my work was published she would cut out the clippings and send them to my uncles and aunties. My dad was apprehensive at first as he felt I might have wasted my time going to university and working for so many years in marketing only to change to a completely different career. I think when it began to take off however he understood and the fact that Donal Doherty Engage will now tie the two careers together means it has come full circle.
Image by Ali Moore
8. You have tried where possible to use personal setbacks as positive motivation for the future. Why did you decide this was the way to go?
I am a very positive person and always try to see the best in people and in situations. Dwelling on negativity and setbacks only brings more of the same. If I experience an issue I try to work out how to move forward or how to improve the situation.
The setbacks I experienced in my previous business have driven me to ensure I am successful in what I am doing now and I definitely take more time to assess the decisions I make now before moving forward with anything.
My mother sadly passed away in June 2011 and this was a major shock and a life-changing event. The week after she passed away we got together as a family and spread photos from her life out on the kitchen table and I saw her wedding album for the first time in years. It hit me how important this heirloom is, as to me it represents the hopes, dreams and everything my parents would share for the next forty years together.
I think losing my mum has increased the empathy I have and makes me strive to live every day to the full. Knowing she was proud of me encourages me to honour her memory by continuing to be successful.
Around the same time my mother passed away I met my girlfriend, Margaret, who is currently Hairdresser of the Year, and through our work we have been able to team up to work on weddings all around the world and at home.
My experiences have informed how I approach my photography and using the Beloved method which aims to capture people in their most natural state I have worked to not only provide people with photos they loved but also make sure they are enriched through the experience.
9. What does the future hold for you and your business?
In 2014 I will launch ‘Donal Doherty Engage’, which will help photographers, and creatives build a business and life that they love. Through the site a new marketing and business development lesson will be available every two weeks and alongside consultancy and training, I hope to help thousands of people. My photography business will also continue to grow as I get offered some amazing opportunities for photographic assignments.
Image by Peter Thomas Photography
10. What would be the biggest advice you could give someone who wants to be doing what they love?
It may take time to find out what it is that you really love to do. Try different activities for inspiration and if you’re not sure pursue the path you are most passionate about at that moment. If you do discover your passion lies elsewhere, don’t be afraid to take the leap. If you do change career, often many skills learnt are transferable and can make you unique in your new industry.
Find out more about Donal Doherty Photography at his website, blog, Facebook page and Twitter. If you are a photographer or creative visit Donal Doherty Engage and sign-up for free tips, news and exclusive offers and you could win a 1-2-1 consultation!
