Meet Danica Bird. Danica was born and raised in Victoria!
Who is your favourite person to spend time with and why?
Probably a tie between my husband and my best friend. It's been over a decade for each of them and I am still constantly in awe of them and the conversation never runs out for long.
What is your favourite local store in Victoria and why?
So many local stores are great! Mychosen Restaurant is probably my favorite restaurant because of the great food. Pure Vanilla Bakery for the croissants. Also, many of the comic/geek/game stores on Johnson.
Describe yourself in one word.
…I cannot think of a word to describe myself.
If you could go anywhere in the world right at this moment where would you go and why?
Haida Gwaii. I've wanted to go for a long time. I want to explore the wilderness, learn about some of the cultures, see the art, and, of course, take lots of pictures.
What is your favourite activity in Victoria?
Either eating or hiking. Sometimes both.
What is the most embarrassing thing that has happened to you?
Yeah, I do something top level embarrassing at least once a week so narrowing that down to one thing is impossible.
What is the most inspiring thing that has happened to you?
I'm not sure I can think of any one thing that has happened to me to inspire me. I am, however, constantly inspired by random things I see and experience. I try to spend a lot of time in nature and always find something inspiring there: the way the sun streams through the trees, the feel of the wind, the quiet, seeing wildlife…
Meeting my nieces for the first time, seeing the accomplishments of my friends, watching someone pull themselves up from rock bottom…there are so many things to be inspired by all the time.
Tell us your favourite childhood memory.
It's nothing particularly significant, but the memory that always comes up with the most clarity is being young and heading out with my friends and walking through a mostly dried swamp area to get to these huge rocks that we used to climb to pick the most delicious blackberries. We'd spend hours there climbing in the bushes and getting colored by scratches from the thorns and blackberry juice and, of course, eating so many berries. Sometimes it seems like I can still smell the berries and feel the sun on the rocks.
Where do you volunteer or give back to in the community?
Currently, I do not have anything set up for volunteering. I do what I can when I can and try to help where I can but sometimes my anxiety holds me back. I've been working on that lately and have taken photos of the animals at the pound to help them get adopted and have also spent time there keeping them company. Really though, mostly I just try to be a good person and help out where I can.
If you could change one thing in the world what would it be?
I'd like for people to be more open-minded and willing to help others or at least not try to keep them down. I read the comments sometimes on articles from things happening around Victoria and around the world and it is very sad to see how many people are more willing to assign blame and to condemn than they are to help or even be sympathetic to others plight. Even if you can't help, there is no harm in being kind.
Where would you sneak away to in Victoria to spend some time alone?
I'd climb to the top of a mountain. Good views, lots of quiet.
Where would you like to see positive change in Victoria and why?
I would like to see Victoria have more pet-friendly housing–large dogs, small dogs, cats..they all need a home and their humans need a home too.
What do you think makes Victoria great?
The food. The people are pretty nice, the outdoor areas are great, but the food is fantastic!
What are 3 things on your bucket list?
I want to go to Haida Gwaii, I want to hike across Nootka Island, and I want to try kayaking.
Tell us something that not everyone may know about you.
I'm weirdly scared of fish.
What is the name of your business/organization?
D K Bird Photography
Why did you get into/start this business?
If you can do something you love and you have the support of your family, why not?
What is the goal of your business?
To capture moments for people so that they can spend their time experiencing them.
What has been your biggest struggle either at work or in life?
I have had pretty severe anxiety problems for a long time. Dealing with that is a constant struggle.
If you could start all over again would you do things the same or would things be different?
I'm sure there are a few things I'd change here and there, but even if I don't always love where I am I love who I am with and that's something I would not change.
What do you always find yourself saying?
Probably something inappropriate.
Tell us your best piece of life advice.
I'm not really sure. I think I'm still searching for that great piece of advice.
If you could spend one whole day with anyone in the world who is currently alive, who would you select?
I want to say something inspiring and amazing, but I'd probably end up picking a celebrity like Jeri Ryan or Amanda Tapping. I'd have to spend more time thinking about it though.
Why do you think it is important to shop locally?
It's good to support the people in your community and shopping locally lets you do that. Plus, by shopping locally you are helping someone else to achieve their goals of owning a successful business or supporting their family or sharing their art.
What has been your proudest accomplishment?
When you live with anxiety disorders you eventually learn to try and be proud of the small everyday accomplishments so I'm not sure I have a single proudest one. Filling out this form is pretty scary and revealing so I'm pretty proud of finishing this.
Give someone you think that deserves it a shout out and explain why!
Marina Fierz of Marina Fierz Art. Her art is amazing, she's been building her business from the bottom up, and she has been very patient every time I've messaged her to ask questions.
My choice for the VictoriaNow In Focus spotlight is:
Marina Fierz.
We encourage you to leave your comments and words of support below and submit your own nomination by clicking HERE. You are also welcome to submit a form of your own by clicking HERE.
In Focus is our gift to the community. A way for us to help show our recognition of the people, businesses, and organizations that help make our city great. Thank you, Prince George!
