“It means chasing a dream, making mistakes and trying again, never giving up and believing.”

Damien has a background in commercial fashion photography and design. He decided to enrol with The Learning Connexion so he could take the time to pursue some of his own creative goals. As most of us know – merging your working life with your creative life can be difficult for many, and impossible for some, but Damien seems to have found a way to achieve this balance. Damien always has a project on, and he has also found ways to generate income (lets face it – sustainable creativity includes paying the rent and putting the dinner on the table right!) and he still manages to keep it all relevant to his life, his culture and his heart.

Damien lives with his whanau in Whangarei, a welcome change from the city. He took some time to answer some questions about his creativity, life and goals.

1. As a child, what did you want to be when you grew up?

As far as I can remember I loved to draw. I also loved Indiana Jones and I wanted to be an Archaeologist… Then I loved Jacques-Yves Cousteau so being a marine biologist sounded cool. I guess I always loved to look at ‘things’, everything was amazing and beautiful even now when I drive to a new place I’m a danger to my family because I look every where except the road.

2. When did you learn there was no Santa Claus?

Hahaha that’s funny, I don’t remember exactly but what comes to mind are my cousins saying “There is no Santa clause”, distressed I asked my aunty and she said “grow up boy there never was a Santa Clause”.

3. How and when did you discover your passion for Photography?

There is this brilliant man called Lawrence Day. He gave me my very first Camera (an old Olympus OM-10), much to my mothers dismay. So with that opportunity I ran with it. I shot every thing I could, and to be honest I wasn’t very good. But I didn’t know that.

4. Describe some of the creative projects you have under way at the moment.

My main goal is to be come a Fashion photographer so im working closely with ‘NOVA’ talent agent in Auckland. There I get to use top models whenever I need to. Alongside fashion, I’m learning how to draw women (stylized fashion ladies). This has led to me designing a swimwear line I have called ‘AWHI’. The swimwear is, at this moment, currently being made and should be completed at the end of the year… I’ve never done this before but what the hell – give it a go I say!! And last but not least- ‘DRIVE BY SHOOTINGS’ these are landscapes I’ve shot from moving vehicles: cars, boats, planes, anything moving quickly, and I shoot randomly not knowing what is going to happen with the final image – its quite free and exciting.

5. Who or what would you love to shoot that you haven’t already?

My dream shoot would involve models like Adriana Lima, Twiggy and Elle Mc Pherson, for obvious reasons.

6. Who are your heroes/influences, creative or otherwise?

As a fashion photographer I love the old school photographers like Patrick, Demarchelier, Peter Lindbergh, Helmut Newton, Ellen Von Unwerth, who shoot the models as beautiful women not as clothes hangers, the clothes came second. Well that’s how I see it anyway… Oh yeah – another photographer I dig is David LaChapelle.

7. How would you describe your style, do you feel you have one?

I would love to say I had a style. But I don’t. It’s close and on its way.

8. If you were a fruit, what would you be and why?

A watermelon so I can eat my self whenever.

9. What motivates you? How do you motivate others?

At first, my motivation was to prove everyone that didn’t think I could do it – wrong. But now it’s a hunger, I need to be better. I love to show, teach people everything I know, I don’t believe in holding back information – give it away I say.

10. Who had the greatest influence on you during your childhood?

I don’t know about influence as a child, but, a man named Frank Horn… he kept my brother, sister and I safe. He took care of us like we were his own, he let us be kids explore get into mischief and have fun. I’m sure that’s got a big part to play in me being a creative now.

11. Are there any particular dreams or goals that you plan to fulfill in life?

YES there are – I want to shoot for the big guys in the fashion industry. And be like the photographers I admire so much. I also want to move into making movies but that’s another story.

12. What was the last book you read, movie you saw?

Book = I’m not a big reader but the last book I read from was The World of Lith Printing. Really good book lots of pictures and just enough words to keep me interested.
Movie = Flash.Of.Genius, an inventor got ripped off by FORD. He was a nobody but he took them on and 12 years later won his day in court.

13. What does photography mean to you?

It’s a major dream of mine, being super good, so that guides the way I live my life and the way I look at the world and people. It means chasing a dream, making mistakes and trying again, never giving up. And believing.

14. What is your favorite image, (either your own or someone else’s or both?) Describe its creation or meaning to you?

One image I love of my own is not a fashion photo, it’s a portrait I took of this young family, Granddad going to explain his point of view and the family all react in way you would when you have heard his story a million times over, even the young grand child.

As for other photographers or artist it all depends on what part of art I’m trying to achieve

15. Do you see the Internet as an important resource for you, either creatively, or in terms of work and exposure in the industry?

Google images is my best friend, it inspires me looking at other photographers and seeing what they do, and it depresses me looking at other photographers and seeing what they do. It’s a useful tool. It allows me to show off what I can do as an online folio and also for my self, being able to publish my work for free on the net.

16. What has been the single biggest obstacle against growing as a photographer/artist?

My biggest obstacle is also my best and most precious, my family if I wasn’t married with kids I would be free as a bird and I could travel the world and gain the experience I desire with out the responsibility of a family. But on that note they mean more to me than anything, more than photography, more then my love of creativity, they are the best art piece I have ever created. I know it’s cheesy but it’s true.

17. Is there anything else you’d like to share with us all?

I’m not sure about that I’ll have to get back to ya.

Some of Damien’s work:

If you would like to see more of Damien’s work check out his recently developed website: www.damiennikora.com