Meet Demarko Hooper

Today we’d like to introduce you to Demarko Hooper.

Demarko, let’s start with your story. We’d love to hear how you got started and how the journey has been so far.
I’m a SWATS (South West Atlanta) native. Coming from an artistic family, I always had a good influence & appreciation of art in my life, I started acting (theatre) in the 6th grade (knew I wanted to continue in that area of art) & got introduced to photography my senior year of high school randomly as a punishment elective. I went to Howard as an acting major & was convince by my aunt to bring the camera too. Started off shooting pictures at parties & just linking with friends to shoot & create. Eventually, I made a name for myself there as a popular photographer on campus (@Markotheshooter). Getting introduced to so many different cultures of people at Howard, networking & studying the booming artistic community at the school gave me a different outlook on how I look at artistry itself as a whole.

I went back home to the A (taking photography a little more serious) for the summer after freshman year, discovered Cam Kirk Studios & fell in love as soon I stepped foot in the space because of how safe it made me feel as a creative. I shot there almost every week of the summer of 2018 & released the content on Instagram which gave me a bigger following for my photography.

That summer, I also happened to write a script for a film idea that I had. Due to the fact that I was active in the creative community, I figured with the right people I could make a short film (Birthday Boy on YouTube). I linked with a budding videographer/ photographer (@calebjermale) in the A & gave him the script. He loved it so over the summer while working on photography, we worked on the short film with friends & finished it right before it was time for school. After releasing it on YouTube in August, the turnout & support was way better than we expected. 2.8k views is a blessing considering we just made it as a fun project.

Realizing that ATL was a different city to me than it was when I left for my freshman year, going back for sophomore year hurt my brand & network I built that summer a little bit. My artistry took a huge change & elevation over the summer from just wanting to be an actor. I had now finished a short film & made crazy progress with photography as an art and a business. I knew for a fact that I had opportunity back Atlanta and thought a lot about what I wanted to do with my future during the first semester of sophomore year. Regardless I still went to school & built of my photography portfolio.

When I came home from winter break, I was approached by Cam Kirk to join his team at his studio. I took the job & due to the fact that I didn’t have the same passion I had for my major at Howard, I withdrew from school.

Since then, due to my heavy activity in the creative scene in Atlanta, taking advantage of different opportunities through the studio, & I’ve continued to make a name for myself as an active photographer & creative in the city.

I live in Downtown Atlanta now & am currently working on the release of my second short film “ If it Ain’t One Thing…” (filming done) & also working on different music covers for upcoming artist in the city.

Notable people/brands I’ve worked with:
Whensmokeclears (clothing brand)
Original Fani
YK Osiris
Hoodrich Pablo Juan
Slim Santana
Domani Harris
AT&T

Great, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
Biggest struggle is really just balancing adulting with chasing my dream. Other struggles are small & come with the pursuit my different artistries so I honestly don’t mind. It’s easy to work when you’re have fun & genuinely enjoy what you’re doing.

We’d love to hear more about your work and what you are currently focused on. What else should we know?
Photography: I don’t really put a cap on what I shoot, try to keep myself open. However, I have been navigating throughout the music industry a good bit this summer.

Short film: I don’t want people to expect any exact genre or anything when they hear I have another film coming. I write as stories come to me, you could expect just about anything from me when it comes to a film.

Most proud of my constant elevation as a multi-talented creative & that people know that even though they might never know what’s coming, they always know worthwhile content is coming.

What sets me apart from others is the fact that I don’t put a limit on myself when it comes to my artistry. I never call myself a photographer, videographer, director, or actor. Always a “multi talented creative” because I’m constantly working on something new & plan to explore my artistry even more. Plus every type of art can play a hand in the other.

What moment in your career do you look back most fondly on?
I honestly can’t choose between the support & love I got from my first short film & becoming part of the family at Cam Kirk studios.

Contact Info:

• Email: demarkohooper@gmail.com
• Instagram: @marvelmarko, @markotheshooter, @markomotionpictures

Image Credit:
@yungtacc, @chrisdvon, @jonjohnsonco

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