Damion Photo – Photogeek Blog

Headshots; Affordable, Painless and Very Necessary

A headshot is an important networking tool to have at your disposal whenever promoting your service and/or skills. Having learned from experience. People will forget a name long before they ever forget a face. Having a good headshot allows you the opportunity to make a great first and lasting impression. Having many of my original business cards get placed into someone’s wallet only to be forgotten before eventually being tossed. It wasn’t until I found a company that offered me the choice to feature one of my images on the front side of the card while housing my contact information on the other that I not only got noticed. I got business. Further proving that how important image is in this day and age. Below is just a brief description of what I offer. Be sure to contact me with any further questions you might have. Thanks, James

Headshot Session; I’ll work with you to give you the desired look and feel you’re looking to present.

I’ll give you three different looks depending on your needs.

Images taken in studio or nearby outdoor location.

Three business day turnaround policy

Cost. $150

Contact me here or email me at damionphoto@gmail.com

All the Right Ingredients

Canon Lenses, Canon lenses and equipment, Capture One, Damion Photo, Dramatic Lighting, Editorial, Fashion, Modeling, Studio Lighting, Studio Photography, The Art of Studio Lighting

Having worked with Iya numerous times during my years of shooting in my cramped Hoboken home studio. I’ve been eager to have her over to the Loft to close out my new portfolio in a much more open and for lack of a better word, lofty space. Having someone who was both a friend and an experienced model at my disposal initially felt like a no brainer. However, her inquiry regarding my providing a makeup artist and/or stylist threw me in to panic mode. And while having one of the industries best makeup by stephanie perez living in the adjacent loft went a long way to ease my tensions. Trying to book her only days in advance was a bit of a challenge. In the end, the m.u.a’s assistant Karen not only stepped in. She amazed. As beautiful as Iya looked walking through my door. *&^%$% had her looking like an absolute goddess. Going forward as a photographer, I hope to incorporate the use of a make up artist and stylist. Knowing that I have such fantastic options at arms reach is very reassuring.I highly recommend you take s look at Satephanie’s site. I assure you, you’ll be inspired.
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The Best Things are Worth Waiting for.

Beauty, Canon Lenses, Canon lenses and equipment, Capture One, Dramatic Lighting, Modeling, Studio Lighting, Studio Photography

When I originally posted a casting call on Model Mayhem back in early May. I had no idea I would be getting such an overwhelming response from models interested in being a part of my upcoming portfolio. Yet, as I sought through the thirty or so candidates. I found a seldom few that really fit the overall feel and aesthetic I wanted to convey. As I worked through May and June with the people I had chosen. I kept in mind the ones that I was unable to immediately book due to their busy schedules and location. There was one by the name of Emily whom I would wait patiently for the right time to come.

Almost two months later, to the date, that time would come. When I went downstairs to greet Emily. I immediately noticed she was even more beautiful than any of the images in her portfolio would tell. Her big smile and upbeat personality were a welcome sight on what had already been one of the most oppressively hottest days of the early summer.

As quickly as our session started. I knew that the wait and a more detailed description of what I was looking to accomplish with the session made for an even better session than I would have ever hoped for. Her ability to move and change expression effortlessly was incredible. Emotive, expressive and flat out gorgeous. She put life in to all of the looks and vibes I was hoping to convey. Along the way we explored new lighting techniques, utilized my new canvas background and even found some use for my almost extinct CD collection. Thanks to Emily for making every image count.

Fun with Teegan

Canon Lenses, Canon lenses and equipment, Damion Photo, Editorial, Fashion Portraiture, Model Mayhem, Modeling, Studio Lighting, Studio Photography

This past Thursday I had the chance to work with Teegan on what is becoming my new portfolio. The New York by way of Florida model was a pleasure to be around. With my voice not holding up as much as I would have liked. My friend and current studio director Kevin provided much of the verbal communication. During shooting there would be moments where Teegan would just provide a look that knocked me off my feet. So much so that I had to shout out “Gorgeous” “Fantastic: or “Beautiful”. Each time her eyes and smile would light the room with an incredible smile and a thank you. Just pure joy to work with and be around. With each session I feel my anxiety lessen and my attention to detail grow. Making me feel grateful for the opportunity to get back to the things I love. Learning new things while adding new layers to the template. The left and middle images were shot on a new Fashion Grey seamless. The right was taken shot on the roof with a reflector.

If you have the chance please check in with my new instagram account Here

You can also check out my progress on my official website Here

Concert Photography with the Canon 5D Mark III

Canon Lenses, Canon lenses and equipment

When I decided to upgrade from the Canon 7D to the Canon’s 5D Mark III. It was strictly a business decision. One that would hopefully take my studio and event photography to the next level. Never once did I ever consider it becoming my everyday, every occasion camera. However, with my wife urging me to trade in the old model. I was left with little to no choice. So within a week of purchase and two studio sessions knocked out. I carefully took my fresh out the box Canon to a local music venue and shot some imaages of my favorite local and touring bands. With thec 5D not featuring a pop up flash like the 7D. I brought along my Canon 320 EX external flash and experimented with bouncing the light in different directions. The results were rewarding, to say the very least. Attempting and successfully working with a completely different set of tools felt amazing. As I’ve always felt somewhat of a sense of fear that I might fall short when trying to adapt to new things. Below is a sample of a shot I took of Shakusky’s Kira Mattheson. I’ve also included a like to one of my music sites where I’ve featured sets from each of the bands that played that night. Document Fanzine . Rock On.

Shakusky-6

Thursday Session with Nicole

Beauty, Canon lenses and equipment, Capture One, Fashion, Model Mayhem, Natural Beauty, Studio Lighting, Studio Photography

It’s been over a week since I had the pleasure of working with Nicole and I’m still buzzing over what was one of the most positive experiences from start to finish. Prior to our session there were numerous emails exchanged regarding the overall look and feel I was looking for. During those brief exchanges we seemed to bond. Building a trust as well as an overall excitement regarding the session. There was an energetic, yet laid back nature to the two or three hours we spent shooting. The studios energy was kicked up a few levels as Kevin and eventually his wife Dawn worked as assisted in various capacities including lighting, style and wardrobe. As for Nicole. She was a total rock star from start to finish. Everything for her “Go For It” personality to her fiery red hair to her startling blue eyes. Made this particular shoot one to remember. Thanks to Nicole and the best neighbors a person could ask for. The far left was shot on a seemless background using a beauty dish and a 72′ umbrella fill light.The center image on a floor to ceiling concrete pillar the same lighting. The far right image was taken on the roof using a white reflector.

Making a Rare Radio Appearance

Anxious, Damion Photo, James Damion, Marketing, Self Promoting, Uncategorized

On Tuesday, March 22nd at 11:00pm. I’ll be joining Al Crisafulli and Katie Kazimir on WFDU HD2’s “Signal to Noise”. Over a thirty minute time slot I’ll be answering questions about my photography while playing some of my favorite songs from some of the bands I’ve photographed along the way. As someone who prefers to use imagery to express my thoughts and emotions. This is somewhat of a rare opportunity. A bit scary too. Be sure to tune in. JD

WFDU Fairliegh Dickinson University

Signal to Noise

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The View from the Inside

Art Exhibition, Canon Lenses, Canon lenses and equipment, Group Exhibition, Jersey City, Mana Gallery, Photo Exhibit

Since early August, when we first moved to Canco, I’ve taken a lot of photos of the yet to be restored and renovated building next to where I reside. I’ve also taken my share of pictures of the old factory building I now know as Mana Contemporary. And though I’ve shot these beautiful urban landscapes from many degrees and angles. Being able to do so from the inside of Mana Contemporary gave me a serious rush of adrenaline. With mana’s impressive five floors. I was able to shoot at the best levels possible thus far. Since I was a pre- schooler going to the junkyards behind Flushing’s Shea Stadium. I’ve had an appreciation for things of beauty that so many others find ugly and disposable. For me personally, they hold a sense of character and history. Telling a story about the people that were there before. Their live, their struggles and the work they did. I really feel at home here. In a sense, the best of both worlds. I can’t get enough and I hope to stay awhile.

Damion Photo is Moving

Damion Photo, Jersey City, Studio Photography

In the coming weeks myself aka Damion Photo, aka Photo Geek will be moving to the Canco Lofts at 5o Dey st. in Jersey City. The move, a long time coming, hopes to provide the perfect live/work space for my wife and me. In recent years I’ve had a makeshift studio in my living room, and though I was able to make it work, it was always far from perfect. The three floor walk up and cramped space served as two major obstacles. Obstacles that limited the kind of work I’ve always been capable of. The new space more than doubles the size of my current spot, provides plenty of natural light and areas to shoot outside the loft and the building itself. I’ve already mapped out the area I’ll use as a studio and can’t wait to explore more of Canco and the surrounding blocks.

Within the coming weeks I’ll be focusing on expanding Damion Photo’s reach to include family friendly packages that will include children, family, maternity and more. Like I said, this has been a long time coming. I haven’t felt this positive and energized in a long time. I look forward to focusing, once again, on my passion and all the things that made me fall in love with photography in the first place. Feel free to contact me via email at DamionPhoto@gmail.com for more info or to book a session in the near future. Now, back to packing.

Updates and Additions to Damion Photo

Advertising, Damion Photo, James Damion, Marketing, Photo Geek

Last week I took some time to work on the website to make it a little more professional and user friendly. I changed to Portfolio section, instead featuring separate pages for my Studio, Location and Boudoir work. I’ve also added a testimonial section and improved the contact page. In the coming weeks I’ll be adding a kids/family section while adding additional testimonials. I’ve linked the page below. Your thoughts and critiques are welcome here and privately. I’d love to hear from you.

http://damionphoto.com/Home.html