Aaron Daye Photo

My passion for photography was nurtured by my older sister who would bring home disposable cameras to keep me busy. I would take photos of my friends, classmates, and family when they weren't looking. My passion for photography has allowed me to cover some of the biggest stories in North Central Florida--including University of Florida football player Tim Tebow's wins, First Lady Michelle Obama's campaign stops for soon-to-be President Barack Obama, as well as Pastor Terry Jones's burning of the Koran demonstration which garnered international headlines. While on assignment to the White House in 2007, I snapped a photo of President George W. Bush doing the "Gator Chomp," catching the attention of University of Florida fans worldwide. My catalog includes photos of Dr. Jack "Dr. Death" Kevorkian, hip-hop and R&B stars from Kanye West, Drake, Lil Wayne, Kendrick Lamar, and John Legend, actor Boris Kudjoe, and American Idol contestant, Daughtry. My work has been published in multiple publications including Sports Illustrated, Ebony Magazine, The New York Times, Gainesville Magazine, Gainesville Sun, Home Magazine, Undersea Journal, and Women's Day Magazine. I love what I do but I'm just getting started!

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An Evening to Shine

I recently had the pleasure of photographing "An Evening to Shine" at the Durham Performing Arts Center. This annual event is presented by Durham Public Schools & DPS Foundation featuring over 50 schools showcasing their incredible arts programs. What a surprise it was to have the amazingly talented actress and Durham native Lauren E. Banks from one of my favorite shows "Lawmen Bass Reeves", give a word of encouragement to students telling them to follow their dreams and to continue their pursuit of the arts during the event as the students poured their hearts out on stage. What an amazing evening to photograph.

Check out more photos from the event at: https://bit.ly/E2SPhotos_2024

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Photography Speaker Series at Pattengill Biotechnical

Today, I was tapped to be a photography guest speaker virtually with middle school students at Pattengill Biotechnical Magnet School in Lansing, Michigan. As a product of the Durham Public Schools magnet school program, I was honored to speak to the students. I was able to share my story of how I got started in photography, what I studied to become an expert in my field, and even the good & bad sides of being a photographer.

As I was speaking with the students, a quote came to mind, “Teachers open the door, but you must enter by yourself.” I encouraged them to soak up as much photography knowledge in the classroom and to try their hand at different types of photography from sports, portraits, and events to develop their niche and real passion for photography. Education continues beyond the classroom and it never really feels like work when you are doing what you love.

Thank you to their teacher and my frat Bro. Donald Barringer for the opportunity to connect with your students, for the photos, and to be a part of this photographer speaker series.

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Gators Unidos

A while back I had the opportunity to mentor photography and videography students at the University of Florida on creating marketing for the launch of the Gators Unidos, the first-ever collegiate Latino merchandise & lifestyle brand with President, CEO, and UF alumnus Dayana Falcon Koester. Gators UNIDOS focuses on creating educational, mentorship, and sponsorship opportunities for Latino students at the University of Florida. I was happy to extend my expertise in photography, subject visualization, and concept development. Look for the brand online and at the UF Bookstore the next time you’re on campus.

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Asia Cunnigham Makes History Becoming the First Educator in Durham to Receive the Prestigious Milken Educator Award

Congratulations to fellow NCCU Eagle alumni and Pearsontown Elementary School Principal Asia Cunningham on receiving the $25,000 North Carolina Milken Educator Awards. She was so surprised and filled with so much emotion with no idea she was being honored in front of so many proud Pearsontown Elementary students and colleagues. You can tell how much of an impact she is making on her students by their reactions once the award was announced. Asia is one of two award winners from North Carolina and joins an elite group of educators nationwide who epitomize excellence in education. I'm so proud of you my friend and extremely thankful to be there to document this amazing accomplishment.

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NCCU 2023 Forty Under Forty Honoree Aaron Daye

I am deeply humbled to have been selected for the prestigious 40 Under 40 award by my beloved alma mater, North Carolina Central University. I feel so blessed to be acknowledged among such an inspiring group of my fellow honorees who are the embodiment of ‘The Eagle Promise’ and have carried out the University’s mission of “Truth and Service” both personally and professionally since leaving the Nest.

Thank you, NCCU Forty Under Forty planning committee and the NCCU Office of Alumni Relations, for this incredible honor. I am proud to be a part of the 40 Under 40 legacy and to represent the values of truth and service that NCCU instills in its graduates.

Please support me by donating to the Forty Under Forty Endowed Scholarship Fund on my behalf using the link below: https://give.nccu.edu/schools/NorthCarolinaCentralUniversity/forty-under-forty-scholarship-campaign/pages/aaron-daye

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Momma, I made it!!!!!!!!!

I am extremely honored to announce that I have been selected to be a part of the prestigious North Carolina Central University 40 Under 40 honoree cohort for 2023!! Thank you to everyone who nominated me and recognized my contributions, accomplishments, and my commitment to striving for excellence and giving back to the community that has shaped me.

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The Fall and Rise of Damon Woodard, ECE Associate Professor - Powering the New Engineer

How Damon Woodard, Ph.D., rose from being a high school dropout to become the first African American to earn a Ph.D. in computer engineering

The Fall and Rise of Damon Woodard, UF ECE Associate Professor

This story about the Fall and Rise of Damon Woodard, an associate professor in the University of Florida's Electrical and Computer Engineering department was originally published in the Winter 2021 issue. Woodard recently shared the never-before-told story of his incredible journey from being a high school dropout to a $20M-funded biometrics researcher during UF's summer 2023 commencement ceremony. My colleague Barbara Drake interviewed him and I supplied the portraits of Woodard and his wife.

Read more about Damon Woodard's story at: https://www.eng.ufl.edu/newengineer/news/the-fall-and-rise-of-damon-woodard/

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Getting the Best Gator Snaps - University of Florida Advancement

Dos & Don’ts Guide to Taking Better Portraits at UF Locales – with Just Your Smartphone

I'm excited to be share this feature "Getting the Best Gator Snaps", a dos and don'ts guide to taking great photos with your smartphone as the photographer for the University of Florida Foundation and lead photographer for the Florida Gator Alumni Magazine. It was truly an honor to share my knowledge of photography and I'm really proud of the hard work my team members Barbara Drake, Jennifer Romero and Brenton Richardson putting this guide and videos together. 

Watch this 2-part series at: https://www.uff.ufl.edu/gatornation/getting-the-best-gator-snaps/ 

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Leaders of The Gainesville Links

A photo session with The Gainesville (FL) Chapter of The Links, Incorporated leadership board. The Gainesville (FL) Chapter of The Links, Incorporated is a civic organization founded in 1978, dedicated to improving the physical, emotional, intellectual, and moral status of African American women.

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UF College of Pharmacy Holiday Social

The University of Florida College of Pharmacy, the oldest college in the UF Health Science Center, hosts the efforts of their faculty, staff, and students as well as a record-breaking $32.4 million in grant funding solidifying a No. 3 nationally ranking during their annual holiday social at the University Air Center in Gainesville, Fla.

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Check out this "Honoring The Black Experience at UF" video about the Black Experience Installation wall in the UF J. Wayne Reitz Union that displays photographs and text that tells the stories of Black students, faculty, staff, and alumni at UF over the decades since the institution was integrated in 1958. Not only was I present to witness and document the installation unveiling but I was also highlighted in the video as well. Look for me representing the Association of Black Faculty & Staff at UF at 00:50 sec & 01:35 min in the video. #ufabfs #ufblackalumni #ADayeintheLife

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Lastinger Center for Learning: Celebrating 20 Years of Excellence

In February of 1999, University of Florida alumni Allen and Delores Lastinger announced a $2 million donation to the College of Education for the establishment of the Lastinger Center for Learning. The mission of the center was to develop projects that promote the achievement and success of at-risk youth in local public schools. It includes a special focus on math, science, economics, and conflict resolution. To fulfill this mission, the center focused on supporting K-12 classroom teachers across the state of Florida by relying on their expertise, experience, and input in program development.  

Celebrating 20 Years of Excellence, the Lastinger Center established itself as an intentional and creative hub for educational innovation across the state of Florida. Despite this commitment to innovation, the shared values of listening to teachers and caring for the underserved children in Florida’s classrooms remain a consistent theme.  

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The Black Experience Installation Unveiling

The University of Florida unveiled a new African-American storytelling wall, The Black Experience Installation, paying tribute to the contributions and experiences of the university’s Black community. The Black Experience Installation is a display of photographs and text that tells the stories of Black students, faculty, staff, and alumni at the University of Florida. The wall is divided into four attributes that relate to the Black experience at UF: determination, pride, strength, and community highlighting the challenges, triumphs, and contributions of UF’s black community and showcasing the importance of continuing the enduring legacy set by its leaders.

As the first Black photographer employed by The University of Florida, immediate past president of the University of Florida Association of Black Alumni - Gainesville, and committee member of the Association of Black Faculty & Staff at UF, I was honored to be a part of history and help tell the ever-evolving story of the Black experience at UF.

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Students Protest University of Florida Presidential Finalist Senator Ben Sasse

Students at the University of Florida protested the visit of Republican Senator Ben Sasse of Nebraska – the likely new president of the university – during his recent preliminary interview at Emerson Alumni Hall in Gainesville, Florida. Sasse was scheduled to host three open forums but left a forum about 15 minutes early as nearly 300 protesters chanted “Hey hey. Ho ho. Ben Sasse has got to go,” as they entered the ballroom where the interview was taking place.

In one of the three forums held, Sasse discussed his stance on LGBTQ+ rights after he condemned the US Supreme Court decision that guaranteed same-sex marriage at the federal level in 2015. The Independent Florida Alligator quoted him as saying that the decision was “the law of the land,” adding that it wasn’t going to change in the near future.

Sasse plans to resign from the Senate by the end of the year to take a job as the president of the University of Florida.

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Oscar Meyer Weiner Mobile, circa 2008

14 years ago today while traveling to South Florida for a photoshoot with Re/Max, I spotted the Oscar Meyer Weiner Mobile traveling down the Florida Turnpike. With one hand on the steering wheel the other hand with my Canon PowerShot point and shoot camera in hand, I was determined to get this shot. I reached as far across the passenger seat to reach my hand as close to the passenger side window to get this shot.

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Portrait of Dr. Juan Gilbert  Gainesville, 2018

A portrait session with Andrew Banks Family Preeminence Endowed Chair and Chair of the Computer & Information Science & Engineering Department, Dr. Juan Gilbert at the University of Florida.

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The Molm Family Gator Career Closet is Now Open!

Photos following the grand opening of The Molm Family Gator Career Closet at the University of Florida Career Connections Center. The Molm Family Gator Career Closet alleviates the financial strain of purchasing professional clothing for career fairs, interviews, and the workplace. Students who come to the closet can obtain free professional attire to help them look and feel their best. This service is available to all University of Florida students with a valid UF ID and UF alumni up to one year after graduation.

Knowing how to dress professionally is often a first step to launching a successful career. Check out this article on The Molm Family Gator Career Closet featuring additional photos and more information on donating to the career closet.