Meet Darieus Veltri | Photographer & Visual Creator

We had the good fortune of connecting with Darieus Veltri and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Darieus, can you walk us through the thought-process of starting your business?
There honestly wasn’t a true thought process behind it. I have always enjoyed taking photos as a hobby since I was young. I was constantly taking photos of things that caught my eye on my phone when I was just a young kid. My family members always said that I “had an eye for things.” In 2015, I got my first camera as a gift from my grandmother. I still consider this the best gift I’ve ever received. This truly began to turn my hobby into a passion. By my senior year in high school, I found local friends and family reaching out for photoshoots. Then college came along, I began meeting more people, and I found myself taking photos for them and then people they know. The thought process to starting my own business was practically non-existent, it all just happened. My passion, skills, and photos were marketing themselves before I knew it.

Can you open up a bit about your work and career? We’re big fans and we’d love for our community to learn more about your work.
What I believe sets me apart from others when it comes to my art is my versatility, undeniable passion, and most importantly, understanding myself and making mistakes. Mistakes are vital and must be made to grow further no matter what, nothing is perfect. Mistakes never hold me back and only drive me further. Throughout my endeavors, I’ve learned most of what I know now due to my past mistakes. On the other hand, I am mostly excited about what the future holds for me. I feel like I create a new favorite visual each photo/video shoot that I have. This summer, I have been busier than I’ve ever been and it doesn’t seem to be slowing down anytime soon.

I got to where I am today professionally by taking on opportunities and blocking out the fears of making mistakes. It wasn’t easy, yet looking back at it, it wasn’t hard. You just have to be willing to roll dice. In the past, there has been opportunities that I had self doubt about and was unsure if I was able to provide what the client wanted. Yet I still took on the opportunity and each time the client was beyond satisfied. To overcome the obstacles, I had to let go of fear and do what I know best. Create. This goes for the lessons I’ve learned along the way as well. It is very important to take risks in life. A few years ago, I wouldn’t picture myself where I am today. Although now the future is looking brighter than ever before to me because I never let an opportunity pass me by despite what kind of fear it brings me.

What I would like people to know about my brand “Vizns” is the root of the word itself. Visions as defined in the dictionary is “the ability to think about or plan the future with imagination or wisdom.” One thing that I like to add to this is your vision itself isn’t always clear but by taking on opportunities, believing in yourself, and doing what you feel, you can then see as clear as you want as long as you remain focused. You are in control of your own vision, no one else is. Do what you feel is needed to achieve what you see and do not hesitate as mistakes can help you see clearer.

If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?
If my best friend was visiting the area for a week, I would absolutely take them to Carmi Soul Food on the Southside of Pittsburgh to eat. This is one of my favorite restaurants with honorable mentions to Pamela’s Diner, African Eats Cuisine, and Fiori’s Pizzaria. When it come’s to going out for some drinks, I would take them to Southside as well. Visit Mario’s, Foxtail, and Jimmy D’s. It’s also must to visit the West End Overlook as well as Mt. Washington. These are truly some of the best sites of the city. I really enjoy Allegheny Commons Park and The Point as well. Pittsburgh has a lot to offer, not to forget about it’s museums as well. If they are really in for a thrill Kennywood is also a short drive away.

Who else deserves some credit and recognition?
First and foremost, I have to dedicate this to my family for forever pushing me to do more and for believing in my passion without hesitation as well as those who have been with my journey and showing love from the beginning. A special shoutout to Jason Bempah, a close friend and business partner who also is constantly showing pure love, pushing me, and being there for it all. Last but not least, I have great appreciation for Ja’Juan Hill and Derrick Caraway for having me create visuals for their own creative careers as this has helped me gain unique experiences creatively and open even more doors in my own endeavors.

Website: viznsphotography.com

Instagram: vizns

Twitter: darieusveltri

Yelp: Vizns Photography

Image Credits
Models in frame: Taylor Schwarz, Tisha Moss, Karlee Ross