Meet Damien Northern | Photographer & Educator

We had the good fortune of connecting with Damien Northern and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Damien, Let’s talk about principles and values – what matters to you most?
Without a doubt I believe integrity is the principle that matters most to me. I have learned through life’s experiences that having integrity and remaining solid and upright through all of life’s valleys and peaks is very important. I believe in setting a code of conduct and value system for yourself and standing on it, even when it may cost you. I try to do that in all things. I do my best to maintain my household and family, operate my photography business, educate my students, and live my life in general with a very apparent high level of integrity. That is the way I can look in the mirror and be happy with what I see. It is not always easy, nor have I always used this principle to guide me every step of the way. I have made mistakes and dishonorable decisions along my way, though I have no regrets. Through making mistakes, having to accept the consequences of those mistakes, growing, and evolving, higher moral integrity became and has remained a major focal point in my life.

Alright, so let’s move onto what keeps you busy professionally?
My form of art is photography. Photography began as an outlet for me. A place to be creative outside of my career as an educator. Education is very much governed by a set standards and guidelines that are predetermined. Though there is never a dull moment working with at risk youth like I do, I found myself wanting to do something that utilized other interests I have. Essentially, I just bought a camera l and started taking pictures. From that came the natural desire to want to get better and better at taking pictures. And that feeling remains today or I would give it up and move on to something different to satisfy my desire to be creative. There have been plenty of challenges along the way. At one point I felt like I hit a creative ceiling or had just about reached my limit in investing money and time, but the desire to keep going remains. Somewhere along the way I have learned to stop looking at what others are doing as competition.  I decided to instead be motivated by what other photographers and artists have done or not look at all and focus on my own craft.  I learned that I do have a very vibrant and fulfilling lane that I am in with my business, a photography style and brand that is distinct and evolving and I am grateful for these discoveries. However, I have also learned that possibility is endless. Being a photographer is not like dreaming of going to the NBA. Part of that is contingent on some factors you may not be able to control like being very tall, fast, or gifted. One of the best lessons you can learn about the arts in general is that art is based on working on your craft. Though some photographers may have a gifted eye for it, the craft is largely built on the work you are willing to put into it. How much time, money and learning you are willing to invest plays a big part in improving.  There is no need to hope and wish you grow to be 6’7 like a ball player might need to be. Just put the work in if you want to be an artist of any kind…

Any places to eat or things to do that you can share with our readers? If they have a friend visiting town, what are some spots they could take them to?
If one of my homies was coming to Atlanta for a week to hang out a few different spots come to mind, but not in specific order. I am an avid outdoorsman and this city, and the surrounding areas offer so much to do! I love hiking up and around the mountain at Stone Mountain Park. I am certain I would want them to experience that.  I would probably take them biking or walking up the beltline from the Inman Park area to Piedmont Park, which is also one of my favorite things to do with family and friends. There are places to grab a beverage or an ice cream and enjoy a good weather day all over that area. I love to fish so I would probably try to persuade them to do that with me at one of my city fishing holes.  When I really want to fish, I go to Lake Oconee in Greensboro, GA, or West Pointe Lake outside of LaGrange, GA but those are both around an hour outside of the city. When I just want to relax and fish a couple hours, I hit small community lakes around the city or in parks so we would get to one of those. My favorite is Pine Lake in the Stone Mountain area.  After the outdoor activities we would most like hit my favorite areas to go grab a drink or two.  Those areas are East Atlanta Village, and Little 5 points. I am not really attached to any specific spots there. I just like the areas and enjoy popping in a few different spots in both.  A lot of my people like to shop when they hit town. We would probably pull up to Phipps Plaza in search of a decently priced high-end hat, belt, or pair of shoes if we are following our norms. I used to go to Lenox a lot when entertaining guests who want to shop but not so much as of lately. Depending on the season I would have to get some tickets to an Atlanta Hawks, Braves, Falcons or Atlanta United FC game. I am from northern Indiana and prefer the Bulls, White Sox, Bears, Indiana University basketball and Notre Dame football as my teams to follow, but there is nothing like a game in Atlanta!

The Shoutout series is all about recognizing that our success and where we are in life is at least somewhat thanks to the efforts, support, mentorship, love and encouragement of others. So is there someone that you want to dedicate your shoutout to?
I would like to dedicate this to my parents.  First, to my father Andre Sr., who is no longer with us here on earth, but very much present in me and my life. He taught me to set my boundaries in life. To stand up for myself, my family, and to work hard. To my mother Debra for always having my back, listening to me throughout my life and supporting me. She had all sons and raised us to be close to God and good people. And lastly to the cities I have called home. South Bend, IN for raising me, Bloomington, IN for educating me and Atlanta, GA for giving me a place to call home as an adult, and being the place I planted my flag.

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