Meet Dante Williams

Today we’d like to introduce you to Dante Williams.

Dante, can you briefly walk us through your story – how you started and how you got to where you are today.
My name is Dante Lamarr Williams born and raised in Watts California in the Nickerson Gardens Housing Projects raised by a single mother Rose King, who did her best to raise four boys. Being in a bad environment it was rough I was looked at as different because of the love I have computers and wanting to go to college was frowned upon, but I wasn’t going to let that stop me, so I tried my best to keep my head in sports, school and computers. I first discovered I was pretty good with computers when I was 12 years old, got my first laptop and camera in 2009. I found a way to separate myself from the streets and violence around me by teaching myself how to use Adobe Photoshop and Illustrator because I was always fascinated with photo manipulation, making cartoons, and so many other things you can do with an image, so once I got comfortable enough with using those programs I grabbed my camera and started shooting pictures around the house of myself and of siblings.

Once Instagram launched, I was super excited it was like they were reading my mind I always wished there was an app that I would allow me to post all my pictures and edits. About five months into using the app I started getting messages from people around Los Angeles offering to pay me to either take pictures of them or edit a unique photo of them, so that’s when I started doing gigs here and there baby showers, weddings, sports games, etc. four years later I built a large fan base on Instagram work for a number of celebs but that wasn’t enough for me, I wanted a Degree under my belt so I can feel not only accomplished but official. In 2014 I enrolled in Victor valley Community College where I studied Computer Technology, I was on a two-year mission to obtain my AA Degree so to bypass some time I tried out and made the football team. We would go on to be the first team in school history to go undefeated 10-0 and would repeat in 2015.

June 12, I obtained my Degree and accepted a full-ride football scholarship to Jackson State University where I would continue my free-lance photography and graphic design work while studying business. December 8, 2017, I obtained my Bachelor’s Degree in Business and moved back to Los Angeles where I would continue my photography by working the special Olympics and volunteering to help the kids prep for their events. Working with the kids at the Special Olympics is where I fell in love with wanted to help kids so in 2019, I moved to Denver Colorado where I work as an Educational Behavior support professional for this school called Laradon where we are serving over 600 children and adults with developmental disabilities each year. Currently while working there I still do graphic design work and is in the process to shoot photography in the NFL for the Denver Broncos. One day I would like to go back to Watts and tell the kids in the community it’s ok to be different, you don’t have to be a statistic do what you love and love what you do, so what if people look at you weird for wanting to be something in life. DREAM BIG AND GO FOR IT.

We’re always bombarded by how great it is to pursue your passion, etc – but we’ve spoken with enough people to know that it’s not always easy. Overall, would you say things have been easy for you?
Growing up in Watts it’s not smooth at all with all the violence going on its super hard to stay focused, and easy to get manipulated into doing things that will land you in jail. November 27th, I lost my little brother and two best friends to gun violence in the streets of Los Angeles my brother was 24 years old and had a one-year-old son. I prayed and continued on to the road of success because that’s what he would have wanted, and also, I have to be someone my nephew can look up too. It was challenging and hard but I had to stay strong.

We’d love to hear more about your work.
Well, I am known as EditJunkie I specialize in Photography and Graphic Design. I am known for my unique graphics and cartoons that I create. What set me apart from others is that I am Unique 1 of 1, I have a strong work ethic, I love people and helping out those in need, and I also don’t mind helping upcoming photographers and graphic designers, I have good follow up skills, I’m self-confident, and I want to see everyone win.

What were you like growing up?
As a kids I was a goofball love to laugh love my brothers would go above and beyond to keep them happy, always wanted to make a good impression on myself, was big into sports I’m a die-hard Denver Broncos fan I love technology, I was always curious on how things work so I took apart a lot of devices and mama was not happy that I did so, high school I was quite shy didn’t really talk, I spent most of my time hanging in the technology building on the computer with my friends, but I would soon realize being shy you miss out on a lot so I started being more friendly and people start taking a liking to me and from there I grew the confidence to do what I do now, share my work to the world.

Contact Info:

• Phone: 7608189297
• Email: mrphotogenik@gmail.com
• Instagram: @Editjunkie
• Facebook: Dante Williams
• Twitter: @Editjunkie

Suggest a story: VoyageDenver is built on recommendations from the community; it’s how we uncover hidden gems, so if you or someone you know deserves recognition please let us know here.