Meet Mario Daye | Director, Actor, & Photographer

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

Hi Mario, what role has risk played in your life or career?
I believe that everything has a risk factor. No matter what choice you choose, there’s some sort of risk that you will face. Therefore, I’m a huge advocate for taking calculated risk(s). I personally took a risk of leaving my life in North Carolina to further my career goals as a Filmmaker and Photographer here in the Atlanta area. Uprooting my life and rebranding myself/business in a whole new location was a risk I was willing to take because I wanted change, and I didn’t want to feel stagnant. Even after moving in 2020 during the pandemic, I took the risk of deploying in 2021. It was a sacrifice that I was willing to take because I knew how it could help me and my family in the long run. You can either risk not taking a risk or take the risk to complete the objectives that you have in life.

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.
I am a filmmaker, photographer and actor. I have a company called Daye&Knight which is a photography and film production company that specializes in bringing creative, quality, unique photo and video content to our clients. Acting was my first true passion and I still act here and there in various productions. “Visions from a Daye’s point of view” is my motto simply because of my unique eye. Everyone has a style or vision that is unique to them and I believe that is what sets me apart from others. We were not all made the same, therefore, your uniqueness is the light that shines within. I’m just excited for what the future holds. There is always room for growth and improvement and I’m pretty excited to see where my brand elevates to from here. The journey to the place that I am today professionally, was definitely achieved by the help of others around me. I tell my students this all the time, “you can have all the skills and knowledge in the world, but if you do not build a community/network it’ll be difficult to advance in your field.” The road to success is never easy, but nothing in life comes easy. There is no set way to overcome challenges, and challenges will still arise no matter how successful you become; however, staying true to myself has helped me overcome every obstacle. I want the world to know that Daye&Knight is about being the light that shines through the darkness. We are all “Knights in shining armor” in our own right, saving/changing lives through our creative expressions. Film has saved my life, so I wanted to do the same for others.

If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?
Let’s see, we will definitely have to hit up these spots: Krog Street Tunnel, Beltline, Ponce City Market, Bar Vegan, Skyline Park, Southern Queens, Gritz, Kennesaw Mountain, Painted Pin, Atlantic Station, Irie Mon Cafe, Piedmont Park, Georgia Aquarium, World of Coke, College Football Hall of Fame, a Braves/Falcon/Hawks/Atlanta United Game, Buena Vida Tapas & Sol, J.R. Cricket, and more.

I’m still trying learn the area and find more things to do myself.

Shoutout is all about shouting out others who you feel deserve additional recognition and exposure. Who would you like to shoutout?
I would like to Shoutout Full Frame Film Festival for starting the Summer Documentary Camp that catapulted my interests in film and photography. I also would like to Shoutout my wonderful family and my friends who’ve supported me over the years and who still supports me. I’m grateful for everyone in my life.

Website: https://www.dayeandknight.com

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/dayeandknight_/

Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/mario-e-daye-90b2bba1/

Twitter: https://twitter.com/MyDaye_ToRise

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/dayeandknight

Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCWpNn00AuMDEyNWkrp9pQZw

Image Credits
DeAngelo Williams: Navy Sky Photography (Pictures of me in the white shirt) Brandon McGee: Lucky 7 Photography (Pictures of me holding the camera and with my family) Mario Daye: Daye&Knight Photography (All the other photos are my work)