Local DJ is playing free live shows online during the pandemic

ORLANDO, Fla. – It’s no secret that the pandemic has seriously hit the wedding industry. Because many venues are closed and large gatherings are not recommended, weddings are canceled or postponed.

For Darryl J., he saw that with his own business. He specializes in wedding DJ services, but also provides photography, lighting, photo booths, special effects, and other entertainment services. Darryl J. says because he usually only runs a limited number of events per year, he’ll have to work even harder next year to accommodate the postponed weddings and those already reserved for 2021.

Darryl J., owner of Darryl J. Weddings (Darryl J.)

Meanwhile, Darryl J. is committed to elevating others during this difficult time through free live shows on Instagram and Facebook. He even hosted a free Zoom wedding for one of his clients who had to cancel his ceremony and reception but couldn’t wait to get married. They fled to their backyard.

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“Music is the universal language that brings people of all ethnicities together. We need that now especially during the all-important Black Lives Matter movement. Right now the nation is divided and I’m trying to bring us together through music. It drives me to see so many people who are hired and I laugh and smile when I interact with them through their comments, ”said Darryl J.

He’s lived in central Florida for 15 years and actually got into the wedding industry by chance.

I was originally a fashion photographer and nightclub promoter. One day a friend asked me to work as a wedding photographer to cover a wedding for him in 2012. After I posted the photos, it was like wildfire on social media. I kept getting calls and emails from brides who wanted me to capture their special day, ”said Darryl J ..

He started out in photography and said his business stood out because he understood the effects of light, color, shadow, and white balance on black skin.

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“Being a photographer of color and a man of color gave me an advantage in capturing people of color. I can understand how we can capture our skin. To be honest, I have a lot of brides of color who hire me for this reason and who said so during our consultation, ”he said.

After specializing in photography from 2012 to 2016, he wanted to do more with his business. He said he decided to take a chance and get back to his entertainment roots while working in nightclubs. He wanted to make couples feel like a nightclub at their wedding.

“I’m not just a DJ standing behind the booth and pressing the play button. I read the crowd, interact with their guests and bring together two families who have never met and leave them with a night that will bring them together for the rest of their lives, ”said Darryl J ..

Darryl J. says his goal is to make couples feel like a nightclub at their wedding (Darryl J.)

He said he also speaks to young blacks interested in starting their own business, including his 11-year-old son. He particularly emphasizes the importance of black entrepreneurship.

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I started my business because I was tired of waiting for a raise that wasn’t coming. I was tired of waiting for someone to give me an opportunity when I had as much education and experience as my non-black colleagues, ”said Daryl J ..

He said he got frustrated every time he was missed for a promotion and tired of being angry. He realized that anger and frustration don’t get anywhere.

Stop waiting for someone else to give you a chance and take a chance on yourself. It is a difficult path, but it is worth it and you will be grateful for it, ”he said.

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