Dan Goldberg; Memphis, Meat, and Movies

Photography is a way for Dan Goldberg to offer a peek into how he sees the world, both inside the studio and beyond. His work provides a look into the questionable back alleys and hole-in-the-wall joints that he has discovered along the way to find the sublime.

Dan’s ability to create deep and rich stories through his photography sets him apart. His photographic ruminations serve as a reminder of all that is possible when we tell ourselves to not only see, but also to share, what we see in the world. The desire to tell stories from those back alleys takes Dan on journeys around the world.

Dan recently returned from a whirlwind trip to Memphis, where he could photograph world-class BBQ pitmasters and continue his work of trying to convert vegetarians into meat-eaters through delicious imagery. As with all of his travels revolving around food, it’s the people he meets along the way that creates lasting memories. We present to you: Memphis, Meat and Movies, as told by Dan himself.

Memphis

I traveled to Memphis for its annual, most prestigious barbecue competition; Memphis in May. Held on the banks of the Mississippi River, the competition celebrates Memphis culture while fostering economic growth through various initiatives. It’s an incredible community based event that promotes city pride. In my work, I try to tell unpretentious narratives that reflect a lifetime of memories gathered from time spent immersed in the stories, scents, and sounds of rural towns, sculpted cities, and alluring nature. This event aligns with my core values and I can’t wait to back. As an aside, I thought I knew how to cook pork shoulder until I saw these pitmasters, so the need to return is one of personal development too. Which brings me to Meat.

Meat

If you know me, you know I not only love to cook and eat meat, but I also love to photograph it. Making a slab of raw meat look delicious isn’t always easy but In Memphis, I worked with Charlie McKenna, Founder, and Chef at Lillie’s Q and he made my job a little easier.  The key was preparing the most tender, rich meats. It is inspiring to work with people who care so deeply for their craft – creatives and visionaries who, like me, are obsessed with what they do.

Collaborating with like minded people and interacting with them in their every day lives is what gets me up each morning. At the end of the day, it’s not only fun to create things together, but it’s about who you do it with and the partnerships you build that makes the difference. There’s tangible energy when working with people who are really good at what they do. It is this energy that I believe is so important in our jobs.

And with that, I want to share my Director’s Reel.

Movies

My new director’s reel showcases my love for food, family, and nature.  I am currently working on directing several new videos and loving the collaborative process. During this process I ask myself, what are the best techniques we can use to get our point across in the right way?

I am lucky to collaborate with like minded people and these interactions are what get me up each morning. At the end of the day, it’s not only fun to create things together, but it’s about who you do it with and the partnerships you build that makes the difference. There’s tangible energy when working with people who are really good at what they do. It is this energy that I believe is so important in our jobs.

Follow Dan on Instagram to see more of his imagery and motion work documenting the sublime, the result of his vision through gathering.