Meet Darius Smith of Syndicate Productions in South Phoenix

Today we’d like to introduce you to Darius Smith.

Darius, can you briefly walk us through your story – how you started and how you got to where you are today.
I was born and raised in Flint, Michigan, and I moved to Phoenix right after I graduated high school when I was 18, which was an insane leap for me, but something I always felt like I had to do. Growing up, I always had a wild imagination and loved creating stories with my brother while we played with our power rangers or whatever video game we were obsessed with (most of the time, it was Dynasty Warriors or Super Smash Bros.) When I was ten, I remember my mom saying to me, “I want you to stop saying ‘I wish’ and go out and figure how to do the things you’re interested in.” Those words are what led me to take my creative pursuits more seriously and what also helped push me to sign up for my first videography class in high school when I was 14.

That opportunity gave me access to all types of knowledge and equipment I would have never been able to dream of, and what also laid the foundation for my skills today. My teacher Mr. Jamie Nicholson, who I still have the pleasure of working with at his family’s production studio in Michigan every now and then, always pushed me to experiment with my creativity and to constantly push the bar and for that, I’m extremely grateful.

I started my career as a freelancer when I was 17 and got my LLC for Syndicate Productions when I was 20. Since then, I have shot and worked on commercial sets, nightlife events, content creation teams for social media, and as a portrait photographer. I love working with people and my goal is to help them find their voice, see themselves through a different perspective, or to help them share their point of view with the world.

Has it been a smooth road?
It most definitely hasn’t been the easiest journey, but I wouldn’t change any of my experiences for the world. I’ve spent a lot of time, and am still working, to turn my side hustle into my full time job. We all have bills to pay and sometimes the allure of “financial security” with a regular 9-5 can make you lose track of what you’re truly passionate about and actually want to be doing in the long run, but the most important thing I’ve learned from that battle is Balance and Patience. I tell myself all the time, “Everything I want is already mine (the next gig, new camera, etc.) I just have to work hard and wait for time to catch up.”

Please tell us about Syndicate Productions.
I created Syndicate Productions when I was 20 years old. I specialize in content creation for small companies trying to build their audience on social media and also do a lot of photography, mainly Event, Product, and Lifestyle portraits.

I’m mostly known for my portrait work and have been complimented on my editing skills and my ability to capture emotion in my pictures. I pride myself on delivering a unique and positive experience with each session and helping my clients feel comfortable in front of the lens, whether they are experienced modeling in front of the camera or not.

I think what sets Syndicate apart is I aim to really include my client in the creative process and make it a collaborative experience. By taking their initial idea and mixing our imaginations together to find a solution that works.

Is our city a good place to do what you do?
I think Phoenix is an amazing place for young creatives, and it definitely was a big part of helping me grow as a creative and as a business owner. There are always new opportunities presenting themselves to those willing to work hard enough to find them.

For someone starting out, I would say Don’t stop. Don’t stop learning because there’s always something you can do better, whether it’s behind the camera or on the business end. Don’t stop putting yourself out there because you never know who you’re going to meet and the knowledge they would be able to share with you. Don’t stop trying and don’t stop pushing.

Things will be hard and you’ll feel like giving up, but you just have to remember anything worth having is worth fighting for.

Contact Info:

• Phone: 8109623084
• Email: Darius.smith2422@gmail.com
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/raizouchiha/
• Twitter: https://twitter.com/RaizoUchiha
• Other: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCoWE5PH2cKQ6iObDrlcVtwg?view_as=subscriber

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