Rising Stars: Meet Daniel Coston

Today we’d like to introduce you to Daniel Coston.

Hi Daniel, please kick things off for us with an introduction to yourself and your story.
I was born in upstate New York in 1972. I’ve spent my life trying to document the world around me. Writer, videographer, filmmaker, documentarian, researcher, record producer, show promoter and others. For the last thirty years, I have been a still photographer, which proved to be the beginning of many of my life’s adventures.

We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
No. Life by nature is not a smooth road. There were many years that I did this despite financial, physical and emotional obstacles. Plus, what drives you to create something doesn’t always give you happiness. The human emotion of creative drive and pushing oneself to do something better can be a complex monster. That said, it is a road I know well, and I believe that its the only road I ever wanted to travel, despite its dips and curves.

Alright, so let’s switch gears a bit and talk business. What should we know about your work?
Where I live, in Charlotte, NC, I’m largely known for photographing everything from luncheons and galas, to photo work with numerous clients from ranging from banks and hospitals, and businesses that make swimming pools. Elsewhere, I’m known for my photos of famous musicians, artists and other creative folks. It can be a bit binary at times, photographing someone’s luncheon while working with Johnny Cash’s estate on photos that I took of Mr. Cash in 2003, but it does keep me busy.

I am most proud of my survival, and making these crazy ideas work.

I believe that my versatility, and my caring eye hopefully set me apart. The person or subjects need to look good, and I want to do that. No matter what the circumstances.

How do you define success?
Still being here all these years later, and say, Yeah, I did that, I’m still doing that, and still making good work.

Contact Info:

• Website: danielcoston.com
• Instagram: @danielcostonphotos
• Twitter: #danielcoston

Image Credits
Johnny Cash, with John Carter Cash, June 21, 2003 Avett Brothers, Concord, NC, August 2004 Maya Angelou, Charlotte, NC, 2013 Carolina Chocolate Drops, Charlotte NC, Dec. 2010 Time Sawyer, Fort Mill, SC, July 2024 Bob Pollard of Guided by Voices, Carrboro, NC, 2011