Check Out Damien Northern’s Story

Today we’d like to introduce you to Damien Northern.

Hi Damien, we’re thrilled to have a chance to learn your story today. So, before we get into specifics, maybe you can briefly walk us through how you got to where you are today?
I started on my photography journey about four years ago at a time when I needed something to pour into. I was caught up in the monotony of working a full-time job, part-time job, being a husband, being a father of two, and trying to find spare moments in between to work out, hang out with friends, or basically just come up for air. I did not have anything in my life that I was building on, doing to satisfy my personal interests, or born from my ideas. I am an educator. I’ve been teaching for approximately 15 years. At the time, I was just passing the 10- or 11-year mark in my career. I was relatively new to the alternative school setting that I currently work in. At the time, I was having mixed feelings about my career.

Don’t get me wrong. I love working with the students that most educators would not want or be able to deal with. I truly feel like it is a calling to work with at-risk youth and be content, but I was struggling to utilize my entire skillset. I think people who are able to use their entire array of skills and interests in their careers and on their jobs are very blessed. Unfortunately, as an educator, I have always felt that my entire skill set was sacrificed to concentrate on the skills I possess that cultivate others. As a Social Studies teacher, I have spent tons of time interpreting, analyzing and discussing the world with my students. I feel that I am more in tune with world trends than most people, especially as it pertains to what I have to teach my students. I also felt an obligation to teach them what was real. I found myself encouraging students to follow their interests into a career. I encouraged entrepreneurship and being an innovator as opposed to preparing for the workforce. I taught creating your own lane and using your talents to make money more than what I was taught growing up in Indiana, where I feel I was encouraged to get an education and then find a “job”.

It wasn’t until I was in the role tasked with speaking life into at-risk youth that I discovered most “jobs”’ forgo your personal talents and interests. I also realized that not many young people, especially those that come from underprivileged environments, have a natural trajectory that would lead them to be workers. Most youth these days only dream of doing their own thing, not filling in a gap. I found it a better service to encourage them to go into business for themselves. In the end, I decided to follow my own advice. I was always interested in the arts as a self-proclaimed “renaissance man.” I draw, paint, write and recently picked up woodworking to name a few of my artistic hobbies aside from photography. “Crown Photography by Dame”, my photography company, was born in early 2017 out of my desire to start a business that was strictly based on my interests, talents, and the desire to create an additional income stream for myself. With social media booming at the time, with no signs of slowing down and my interest in learning new things in the arts, I “jumped off the porch” with my camera.

Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
I definitely wouldn’t say it has been a smooth road, but more a natural progression. One of my struggles was that I thought people would help me if I asked. I always prided myself on being a person that never asked others for help with anything. I jumped into the photography game and quickly learned that I did not know what I was doing. I had no formal training. No experience with a professional-grade camera, but I did have a ton of ambition because the business was to be “my thing”. It was something I was going to do and grow in for myself, so I was willing to ask for help if I needed it to get started. I had a ton of questions about photography right out the gate. What does this setting do? How do I get my images to look like this or that? What program do I use to edit? What type of lenses should I use? Then there was the lack of a network of people willing to let you learn photography with them as your subject. People don’t want a chauffeur with a “learners permit”. They want an experienced driver or in my case, they wanted an experienced photographer and not many were willing to help me learn. I asked for help. I contacted several photographers who were also acquaintances. At first, just to pick their brains and in most cases, I asked for advice. I asked some if I could shadow them on their gigs. Essentially, I needed an internship.

For the most part, people were not really trying to help like I thought they would or how I believed I would if the roles were reversed. They were always cordial, but their advice mostly amounted to the phrase “get it out the mud”. Not one person invited me to shadow them. Only one person actually met up with me for a photography tutorial, so to speak. For whatever reason, I think artists do not like to help other artists that much. I don’t think it has much to do with competition and more to do with the originality, authenticity, and dues-paying piece of the game. Everyone has a way, style, and eye in the photography game, and at times, they’re not willing to share it. This was a struggle for me though, mainly because I have always offered what I know with everyone. I never withhold my help or information from anyone humble enough to seek my help.

As you know, we’re big fans of you and your work. For our readers who might not be as familiar what can you tell them about what you do?
I am an all-purpose photographer. I specialize in family photography, but I have done it all. I shoot events, weddings, graduate photoshoots, headshots, boudoir shoots, real estate photography, maternity shoots, product photography, drone stills and videography, and more. I pride myself on my continued growth in the profession. I took every opportunity I could to learn more. I took every job I could get my hands on and worked through the challenges to provide quality service and grow. It was never solely about the money for me. Photography for me was about finding something I could grow at and turn into a business and I have done that.

What matters most to you? Why?
When it comes to my photography, what matters most is that my clients are satisfied with their products. I will continue to seek growth as a photographer both artistically and business-wise, but I want my customers to appreciate my work along the way. I have learned to stop comparing myself and my work to other photographers critically and put more focus on my customer’s vision and their wants and needs on a project. Starting, maintaining, and growing my photography business is already serving a purpose in my personal and professional life.

I have created my own lane, where I have consistently generated extra income while using another part of my skill set. It also matters a lot that photography has enabled me to grow. Photography has enabled me to meet a ton of outstanding entrepreneurs around the Atlanta area, which has helped to drive my business and other ideas I have for different business ventures I want to take on in the future. I have become addicted with trying to get better in photography and grow as an entrepreneur. It means the world to me to be able to grow artistically and push myself to expand professionally. That’s what I want my students to do and my own children to see as they grow.

Contact Info:

• Email: dnorthern@gmail.com
• Instagram: @crown_photography_by_dame

Image Credits:
Damien Northern