Pride: A Conversation With Desdemona Dallas | Blog

Discovering Desdemona Dallas' photography can be - as they well put it, an opportunity to relax. Desdemona (they/them) has worked for much of their career creating iconic photography for individuals as well as brands and publications alike, ranging in size from BUST Magazine to The Village Voice as well as Vice.

Their work is a reflection of the innate curiosity with their exploration of the world. That same energy inspires them to keep moving, whether it's between shoots or exploring new creative ambitions altogether, without the pressure of identifying a niche or doing the thing they've always wanted to do.

In Desdemona's words: "My calling is something that unfolds daily in front of my eyes. It's a constant dialogue which I am able to keep in touch with my inner self and try my best to answer that call, regardless of the form that it takes."

We often think about the purpose of our existence as a job title. But as Desdemona beautifully demonstrates what we are, is our fundamental essence that we communicate through all things.

We had Desdemona, and every other of our featured Pride instructors listen to the audio-guided practice to get clearer on what they want to achieve in their lives. We wanted to share it with you too. Take a listen, after which you can read my personal interview with Desdemona to encourage you to imagine bigger dreams.

 What role has the power of creativity been in the creation of your personal identity?

I often feel that I'm not quite understanding something until I examine it with the lens of an idea that is expressive. If I'm not certain how I am feeling about something, I'll pull up my camera to try to to explore those ideas through the lens. Seeing concepts through images gives me the chance to truly examine a specific moment or sentiment. When I take photos, I am able to look away from something and look at it as it is separated from the the world and my own internal judgements. Through this curious kind of mind that I'm often looking into my personal identity. If I am contemplating of identity in its many varieties, I'll attempt to develop a photographic project to address that issue so that I could begin to investigate this issue in greater depth.

 What was the biggest fear you've had to overcome to share your creative talents fully? What myths and beliefs that you had to get rid of?

Georgia O'Keeffe said: "I've been absolutely terrified every moment of my life - and I've never let fear stop me from doing a single thing I wanted to do." I'm not sure whether there'll ever be one moment where the artist in me have to stop battling fears. It is my belief that fear is an experience that happens as we push our limits to take the next step in our artistic endeavors. Fear arises when you're doing something that is completely different. As a result, of my creative practice, I am always somewhat scared, because that means I'm trying something different. While these fears can change with time, it is still an important part of the process of creativity. It is my opinion that fear is a close creative companion.

"The queer community continuously reminds me that this world that we live in is ever-changing, and what some might be able to call black and white, is usually a stunning shade of gray."

 What have the quirks of the community affected your views?

Queer people push me to live my authenticity instead of the acceptance of the status quo. If you do come out, there is a kind of flips in your brain as you realise that if you choose the best option for your own authenticity you can be 10000x happier as opposed to repressing yourself to be accepted from other people. But there will be challenges which you can be sure. I've definitely lost friends, along my own gay journey who do not agree with my decisions. However, at the end of every day, being true to your own truth and knowing you're presenting yourself for your self every day is worth the pain of losing people who couldn't accept the truth of who you truly are.

Queer people constantly remind me that this world which we live in is a fluid one and that what many think of as black and white can be a gorgeous shade of grey. Being a queer individual, I know that a lot of what I've received as truth is not true, so it's easier to question what I've been told by the society. Queer people push me to inquire and realize that the most fundamental of "truths", might end up being lies.

 Do you ever feel most connected to yourself?

Anytime I am around water. A lot of my photographic work is centered around water and many of my best ideas come to me in the bath or shower. Water is the element I use to connect to my inner self. It can happen by the ocean, by a stream or lake as well as simply taking a moment to drink some tea. Water helps me slow down and get in touch with my body and thus get in touch with my own inner wisdom. Things seem more nebulous and dreamy. Thoughts can change whenever I'm working on that particular component.

 What was the time or date you feel like you had opened your phone?

I think, as our society, we place excessive stress on ourselves to discover our one calling, or the one thing that drives us. My calling is something that continues to unfold all the time. This is a continuous dialogue that which I am able to keep in touch with my inner self and strive to answer that call, however it comes in. The writer Elizabeth Gilbert talks about the notion that instead of following our interests, we must pursue our curiosity. I really hold true to that. It is my goal to allow my purpose to alter, my passions in changing, my personality to grow, and follow my interests. As I begin a new venture, I consider "what interests me at this present moment?" That is the calling I'm often hoping to unlock. The purpose you have for your life changes as you do.

 What is the definition of creative fulfillment like to you? Define the emotions evoked.

When you are an artist there is plenty of grind and hustle. It is a lot of work with very little. With the pressure of social media and the internet to constantly be in production the only thing that makes me happy, for me, is having the time to explore my thoughts fully. If I'm in the best creative mood, it's because I've got the energy, time and resources to dive into my thoughts and fantasies. When I'm in these states, I'm capable of bringing concepts and concepts to life by coming from a centered and grounded space. The process of creative fulfillment can be meditative and grounded, yet simultaneously uplifting and exhilarating.

 What advice would you give anyone who's not confident in sharing or creating the work of their imagination?

I'm an advocate of exploring and learning from experience. When you're sharing your work, the more feedback you'll receive and learning more about the things you don't enjoy about. The idea can be a musing concept for months or years however, until you've put it out into the world, you'll never be able to know how others respond to it, and therefore, won't be able to improve. Sharing work is an essential part of any creative practice. If you're not ready to publish your work via social media, or even on the internet, share instead with a trusted friend that will support you, or join a group on the internet or offline that can exchange thoughts. Let those people know where you are at. Do you want constructive criticism, or would you like an encouraging and supportive environment? It is time to let go of your fear of not be good enough, and explore the possibility of resonance with others.

What edges are you exploring creatively? Through which domains do you feel nervous but eager to discover your creativity's limits?

Now, I'm stepping away from some aspects of my photography and beginning to explore the art of filmmaking and even filmmaking and. This is a decision I am completely aligned with, simultaneously I'm conscious that it's not the only way to get back at square one. Learning a new industry, new technical skills, and acquiring new creativity skills are an enormous task to tackle. However, I'm really excited about the challenge.

 How would you define your artist statement or approach to photographic work?

I live my life and take it at a slow pace. I am a believer that personal stories. I believe in the ability to transform your personal narrative as time goes by. The documentation of that change is one of the most stunning things that we have the opportunity to see as humans. The images I have taken are not disturbing, or even jarring; instead they offer a glimpse into peace. My hope is that my photographs provide a space that people are able to be able to come home to. There's plenty of chaos and confusion in the world which is why I believe that most photographers lean towards that chaos, and then magnify the chaos. The goal of my photography works is to highlight the humanity that exists within usall, and help bring people back to their own perspective of themselves and the surrounding world.

         "I I hope my photos create places that people can come home to."        

 Explain your method of documenting or creating visual essays that capture the diverse community. What excites, energizes the work and drives it?

I'm driven to carry out this work, by my deep love for the queer community. There are a lot of amazing creators, thinkers and creators in this community and they so are often overlooked by the mainstream. I'd like to let people know that there are alternative ways to create a life and there are different ways of looking at the world. Although they may not often appear on the internet, I'd like my photography to show that people have options for alternative ways of living, ways that might help them feel more complete within themselves.

I'm not sure if there is a particular method to follow for this. A lot of queer individuals that I photograph or document are my friends. These are the people who influence me and inspire me. I would like to record that experience and share it with others.