We recently had the chance to connect with Jaxon Dansie and have shared our conversation below.
Jaxon, we’re thrilled to have you with us today. Before we jump into your intro and the heart of the interview, let’s start with a bit of an ice breaker: What is a normal day like for you right now?
A normal day now I guess would consist of rally cars more then anything. I’ve recently achieved a lifelong dream of working for Block House Racing – the family of Ken Block, and it has completely leveled up my career and what I shoot today. What used to be a normal day of shooting local karting has now turned into shooting F1 Academy, American Rally Association, and all sorts of wild activities held at Ain’t Care Acres in Utah. And then of course I’m the one who goes through all that content in post. So MOST “normal” days would consist of sitting behind a computer pumping out the best possible content I can – Either social posts, reels, YouTube episodes, or advertising for our partners. But the weekends look a lot more fun being at the races.
Can you briefly introduce yourself and share what makes you or your brand unique?
I used to race motocross as a kid, starting at age 10. But like most people, it became very apparent that I wasn’t cut out for being a professional. Combine that with a broken leg in 2020 that left me in a bed for 6 weeks, and you’ve got an amateur career finished just like that. In hindsight, that must have been a blessing because it was the reasoning behind picking up a camera for the first time.
After my leg heeled up, and with my racing chapter closed, my mother would actually be the one who would jumpstart my early photography career. We were living in Utah, just a few miles from Utah Motorsports Campus, and they had a local karting series that didn’t have much of a media presence. After many days of begging from my mom, I finally folded and went out to see what it was all about. That’s where I took some of my very first motorsports images, and while they were some of the worst I’ve ever taken (obviously), the racers actually asked me to come back to the next round. And then the next. And then the next one after that. Later that year I went all in, launching Drive-By Shootings Photography – a purposefully unorthodox brand name.
It became something much bigger then what I thought it would be, quickly expanding onto the road course shooting sport bikes and cars. A lot of my early opportunities were cut short, and didn’t even have the chance to begin because of my age. I was 14 years old in 2021 when I first shot that karting race, and most organizations didn’t even give me the light of day because age was seen as such a minimum request. I once got the chance to shoot Formula One early on in 2022, but once the company in question heard my age, the gig was cancelled. I’m 19 as of August this year, and this isn’t an issue I run into anymore, but it’s worth noting as one of the biggest barriers I faced.
My first big break came in 2024 where I shot full time for Formula Drift driver Rudy Hansen. I was 17 at the time, but thankfully Formula Drift is a lot cooler with young kids being on track. It’s worth noting that I didn’t make a dime in 2024 for shooting all 8 rounds of the series. This was the agreement between Rudy and I, and while it’s one of the most shameful things to do in our industry – working for free – it helps to remember that this was quite literally the first opportunity I had to shoot a “bigger” series during a time where I was being turned down for being too young. As long as I had a driver to work for, I got my credentials. It is a decision that to this day I don’t regret. It gave me a better portfolio and experience that has ultimately helped me land where I am today.
As of today, a few things have changed. I rebranded Drive-By Shootings Photography to just Drive-By Media. And I am of course working for Block House Racing, 43 Institute, and documenting all three of the Block kids’ racing careers – an absolute dream job that I could never turn down.
Amazing, so let’s take a moment to go back in time. What’s a moment that really shaped how you see the world?
Ah, many things really. Everyone has ups and downs, especially as a creative. I guess the first one that comes to mind is when we lost Ken in 2023. I was always too afraid to talk to him as a kid. I’d see him and his kids all the time at the racetrack, but Ken was such a larger than life character – a true hero of mine and someone that I looked up too, I was just too scared. If I was older I’m sure that would’ve been different. The two years I knew Ken, I wanted to strike up a conversation with him, of course looking forward towards potentially shooting racing with him, but also for the sake of starting a basic relationship. From 2021-2022 I always told myself I’d have another chance. “there’s always the next race” I’d keep telling myself. Until of course it wasn’t. It’s one of the biggest regrets of my life, but it has also taught me the biggest lesson of my life as well. I think ever since then, I’ve pushed farther into seizing opportunity now rather then later. Not to say that you won’t have the chance again, but you never truly know for sure.
Was there ever a time you almost gave up?
You mean everyday? Haha, not actually of course. I’ve had my rough nights like everyone else, but I do think it’s important for people to know that we all struggle. The best of the best still doubt themselves and struggle with self confidence. I know because I have worked closely with those people. The greatest photographers, videographers, and even drone pilots all have their moments of “i need to hang up the hat tonight and call it a career.” This is not something exclusive to beginner creatives, we all go through it. I think it’s important for people to know that, I know I would’ve appreciated it when I first started.
Sure, so let’s go deeper into your values and how you think. What are the biggest lies your industry tells itself?
That’s easy. That you have to be the best to make a career in motorsports photography. The number one thing I heard starting out was how closed off the motorsports creative space was, and how if you truly wanted it as a career, you had to be better than everyone. I guess this could be an okay mindset to push yourself, but the idea itself isn’t true in the slightest. Like stated before, none of us are perfect, and we all struggle. You don’t need the best top of the line gear that your preferred brand is offering, you don’t need a college education, nor do you need a lot of experience. I would say what matters more then being the ‘best’ is being the best at talking to people. Being charismatic even when you aren’t. Being confident even when you aren’t. Quite literally faking it till you make it. Of course always keep improving on your work, but don’t forget that relationships probably matter more.
Okay, we’ve made it essentially to the end. One last question before you go. When have you had to bet the company?
My recent rebranding. It was a gamble completely changing up my look. I started Drive-By Shootings with the intent of being misleading. I did it to not be boring, and I’ve built up that brand for the past 4-5 years. But I think there came a time where I needed to change my look, where eventually you start working with bigger companies who don’t see the value in the name sake. Not to say I was pressured, this was a decision made from myself, realizing that Drive-By Shootings had fulfilled it’s purpose. As of today, my brand has changed to Drive-By Media, but I am on socials as just Drive-By or @therealdriveby. Overall, the change has been accepted, mainly because I feel that I did it right. Which is where you can easily screw things up.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://drivebymedia.smugmug.com/
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/therealdriveby/
