Meet Dadou Francinord | Photographer

We had the good fortune of connecting with Dadou Francinord and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Dadou, do you have a favorite quote or affirmation?
My favorite quote is “Dribble with your left.” It means to try some different and see if it helps improve your current state. In basketball, you have your favored moves and motions just as we do in our careers/goals. Sometimes in the midst of our efforts, we hit a wall and can’t figure out why yet we’re reluctant to hearing sound advice because we already stuck in our way. This quote came to me while motivating a friend of mine to take a chance on scaling their business. The fear of the unknown had us in a revolving door conversation and it came to me. “You already strong going to the right. The competition is expecting that. Give them something new, dribble with your left and catch them off guard. If it works, you got a new skill in your bag. You grow more valuable. Added more to your arsenal. If it doesn’t work, remember, you’re already good with your right. You can always back to it.” That conversation has been carried over into my everyday life. Something isn’t working, don’t quit on it. Just approach it from a different perspective. Broaden your view then hone in on your target from the best angle, like photography.

Alright, so let’s move onto what keeps you busy professionally?
You’re a Viking. You get arrested, you launch a company, you move out, you lose your job, you get another, you’re bad with time but you’re good at what you do, you get popular, you’re a starving artist who impregnates and marries his best friend, you learn to make decisions for three. American dream by 25, right? What I’ve learned throughout my career? Same thing I’ve learned throughout life; never be afraid to try. Breaking that mold and knowing what I’m about to do may have been thought of, may have even been done before but it hasn’t been done by me. And anything I touch glow like fresh white snow. I’ve had the pleasure of working with brands, labels, artists and content creators. Experiences that can never be taken away from me. I’ve worked many odd jobs when times got rough, making sure home was taken cared of. Those moment when you have to decide if you have to take a hiatus or do you need to pivot in a different direction all together, yeah those take a toll on you mentally. Some decisions I’ve made regarding my career were best for my family yet I’ve taken a dream of mine and have used it to help build the dreams of others which would keep the creative energy flowing. It was brutal. But I never cared because it always came from real love. And one thing everyone have said that stood out to me, was something I’d been hearing my whole life; you’re different. Even when it was thrown out there as an insult, I’ve never caught it that way. I carry something with me and it’s been with me since a snotty nose. Comes with me wherever I go. What made me different is my knowing. Knowing I can. Despite anything that comes against me, I can. I know I don’t know everything but I can find out. I know I don’t know how to bring back the dead but I know how they wish for all the bad days we complain about. I don’t know you. But that’s my difference, I know you’re different too. And that’s because you are you. That’s what my newest project, “ITSDFRNTBRAND” is all about. Everyone is different. Know that. Stand on that.

Let’s say your best friend was visiting the area and you wanted to show them the best time ever. Where would you take them? Give us a little itinerary – say it was a week long trip, where would you eat, drink, visit, hang out, etc.
We at the crib so soon we they touchdown I have to take them for some of the best Haitian food in town, my momma house. But if she not with it, we out to L’Auberge Restaurant in North Miami. Grab us a plate of diri blan Avec pwason (white and fish). Then we’d head to design district, snap a few lifestyle pictures. Touch basis with different scenery through the Brickell area, stopping traffic and making art. If we’re in wineries, we’d probably swing by 1800 Lucky or The puttery, a mini golf lounge. Dope retro ambiance. Or we can make our way across the bridge to Key Biscayne and spend some time by some time on not so crowded sands and since we’re on this end, why not hit up Rusty Pelican or wait until we get back catch happy hour at Da Cave in North Miami or Tootsies in Miami Gardens if we checking for some excitement. Later in the week, we can catch DJ Lucky C at iLoveRnB or DJ Vybz rocking South Beach in any building he’s in. Definitely hitting up my boys and we bringing out the yachts and skis to the sandbar and turning up in sun on the weekends for sure. Bring out the drone to show the boys back home how we do it when you come down to the crib. STK for dinner, but that’s only if I don’t ask my wife to prepare one of her delicious dishes before we head out to BoobyTrap for a nightcap before the flight back.

Who else deserves some credit and recognition?
First and foremost I give glory to God for all his blessings and what He provides me with; knowledge and awareness. I give thanks to the men in my life; my father, my late father in law, my brothers. My business partner and best friend, Lex. We’ve been through the mud together and still show up on time for whatever work is ahead of us, clean and unbothered. But yeah, those are my guys. They are true testaments to grit and perseverance. Books like “The Prince” by Niccolo Machiavelli “TheAutobiography of Malcolm X” and studies of Marcus Aurelius and Emotional Intelligence 2.0 are some of my favorites. Within the production field, my peers such as production team Ntro4k or Prarri who is one of my dearest friends and amazing photographer, who I never look at as competition but more as beacons of learning points. Last but not least, my family; my wife and kids for being my motivation to grow and keep pushing for all of my goals. They are my team.

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/itsdfrntbrand?igsh=d2FrcmdyNnJ6bG9n&utm_source=qr

Image Credits
Photographer: @d_thephotographer