Daniel Schechner is a Photographer and Creative Producer based in Vermont. He specializes in photography, videography,
social media management, and brand identity development.
On top of this, Daniel founded Wishbone Collective — a welcoming and inspiring environment for artists to create and
collaborate. The location also provides a space to hold a variety of events, shows, pop-ups, and workshops.
How has learning about the environment impacted your actions?
This is an area where I feel I will never be done growing and learning. I got my BFA from an environmental liberal arts
college, and the education I got there definitely helped shape my perspective. I feel really grateful that I had the
privilege to learn about these concepts in an academic setting.
The older I get, the stronger my need becomes to create a healthy relationship with the environment. I try to stay aware
of the impact of my individual consumption and actions while remaining conscious of the fact that true change will come
from large-scale collective action and holding businesses and corporations accountable.
Can you tell us a bit about your passions beyond “work”?
I find comfort in staying busy. I love to bike, trail run, hike, snowboard, and travel as often as possible (when it’s safe to do so). Friendship and social interaction feels super important too.
Do you find that these passions blend, merge, or complement your work?
It is definitely a goal of mine for my work to overlap with my general passions and interests. The more interested I am
in a concept, the more invested I find myself (as you’d probably expect).
Doing commercial photography means staying creative no matter how mundane the task might be, and that sort of
challenging environment has taught me to often explore new and unexpected perspectives.
How do you give back to your community?
I try to give back through Wishbone Collective, a shared art studio and event space that I founded with a friend in 2018. Removing ego from art is a difficult thing to do, and Wishbone Collective was created with the goal of making art accessible to everyone, regardless of skill level or experience.
What are your materials, and how do you think about them?
I really enjoy shooting film and have been doing so since my first high-school darkroom class in 2007. I grew up in the
’90s, so I had the privilege of living through the rise of digital photography to some extent.
As a photographer in 2021, and like many current visual artists, most of my work lives strictly online (sadly). Nothing
quite compares to seeing your art in tangible form. The difference in looking at a photograph framed on the wall, and
looking at one on your phone or computer, is like night and day,
in my opinion.
A key ingredient to building a sustainable future?
Good communication and honesty. I’m a firm believer in transparency and setting boundaries. If we can’t express how we truly feel and what we all truly need, how could we ever create communities that will sustain into the future?
A book that shaped your life?
Zen & the Art of Motorcycle Maintenance had a huge impact on me when I was younger. I read the book as I was traveling cross-country on a motorcycle with my best friend in 2017. The book was like a guiding light throughout that trip.
Who inspires you today?
People and community. Feeling like I’m a part of something bigger than myself and finding ways to merge my passions with helping others.
Favorite artist currently?
Very difficult to choose just one, but one of my current favorites is JR. A photographer/activist who I find incredibly inspiring - a true example of blending creativity, art, community engagement, and social justice.
Most sublime moment in nature?
After years of failed attempts, I’ve finally nailed down a steady running routine. I have been finding a lot of joy and inner peace in trail-running and learning for the first time to achieve what feels like a truly meditative state. Those moments are what I consider “sublime.” I also find immense joy in just sitting or walking with my dog Loon in the local woods.
