Sam Dameshek is a photographer, entrepreneur, and creative director born and raised in sunny California. His cheeky personality shines through his photography, and he sat down with Bode to share a glimpse of the real “Sam” and a snapshot into his life’s work. 

“That guy?” “I don’t know, some loser,” Dameshek laughs with an infectious smile as he answers our first question in our much-anticipated one-on-one. Dameshek’s Instagram bio reads, “I failed photography in high school,” and it sums him up pretty well. Like him, it is blunt, sarcastic, and funny. The photographer’s honesty and ability to poke a little fun at himself is part of what draws people to him. At only 21-years-old, the tattooed, beachy blonde has paved his own way in Hollywood, and around the world, with his camera in tow. 

Whatever may have happened in high school was obviously not representative of Dameshek’s abilities and potential as a photographer and creator as he has always had an artist’s spirit. Dameshek has been telling stories through his camera lens for most of his life and while he says that he took up photography at just 15 years old, his then hobby had been a longstanding interest of his from an even younger age. “I’ve obsessed over clothes since the 3rd grade and found myself taking photos of my friends since middle school,” shares Dameshek. “For a while I thought my passion came out of nowhere, but it definitely had been prevalent in various ways throughout my childhood.” While you can find him shooting the likes of today’s biggest Instagirls - like Alexis Ren, maybe you’ve heard of her - he is most interested in ensuring that his work captures the feelings of his subject. 

Not exclusive to any one concept, Dameshek’s subjects vary from cars to fashion to landscape and everything in between. Enjoying capturing the candid, natural moments, the mood of his photos remain constant. “I’ve always been compelled to capture feelings and people. I literally can’t not capture energy, if I don’t have a camera on me I’ll go crazy,” shares Dameshek with a shake of his head with another cheeky smile. Offering nothing short of a wide range, each Dameshek image remains warm and approachable. “Inspiration can be very subjective,” states the photographer. “Sometimes I’ll hear a song that makes me feel something I want to capture. Sometimes, I’ll watch an old film and see attributes of the cinematography I can apply to my work.”

It has become common knowledge that Dameshek’s camera rarely leaves his side so that he is always able to get the perfect shot at any moment. “I want my audience to feel like they are viewing natural, intimate moments from a fly on the wall perspective,” says the creator. Pushing against the norm of most photographers who create overly produced and posed photographs, in his eyes, artists today control too much of what end-users see. Dameshek believes consumers are viewing work solely through the artist’s lens because artists do not let the energy of the subjects stand alone. “I feel this invisible wall in a lot of peoples work where things just don’t feel real,” notes the photographer. “If anything in an image feels fabricated or overly posed, I won’t be able to emotionally resonate with it,” and neither will his audience.

Like the proverbial moth to a flame, we were eager to uncover if this artist has taken a muse. Dameshek says, “If I’m being honest, I haven’t found my muse yet. I’ve worked with a variety of people that inspire me, [but for me] there’s not really one thing that triggers inspiration. It’s a mix of a person’s physical and non-physical vibe that I become infatuated with.” The photographer has been able to capture some of the world’s most interesting people and done so in the most idyllic places. Those experiences keep Dameshek evolving and always thinking about his next opportunity. “Six words: one hell of a fucking ride,” shares the photographer candidly as he tells us about a day in his life. “Being around people who were once untouchable idols, and shooting in the worlds most beautiful places is an excitement I can’t put into words. This being said, all the excitement comes with an immense amount of pressure and stress. Nothing good comes easy. When I’m back home everyday consists of desk work, shooting, meetings, plotting, and a lot of fun because happiness is critical. Definitely a rollercoaster.”

Hand in hand, photography is often tied to, if not influenced by, fashion which just so happens to be another interest for Dameshek; that, and teaching his craft. Using fashion as another avenue for creative release, he is co-founder of Wish Me Luck, an online, LA-based clothing store with pieces designed by himself and his best friend Alex Ordonez. His personal style influences everything that he does. “I’d like to say my style is timeless and fairly simple,” reveals Dameshek. “I’ve really outgrown anything flashy or anything with a ton of logos or graphics. I definitely couldn’t live without a pair of tailored, black trousers and my YSL boots. That combo has never failed me.” Acknowledging the impact of his personal fashion taste and the way the industry moves on the direction of his lens, “It’s extremely important to stay up to date [with the fashion circuit],” states the creator. “The best way to do this is to not only be aware of the way things are moving, but to also study the underdogs in the industry. The up and comers not receiving enough recognition seem to always be on top of the next big thing.”

Circling back to yet another one of his many passions, Dameshek is sure to dedicate time  to mentor other artists through his business - Sam Dameshek Academy. Teaching other entrepreneurs everything from branding, to pricing themselves, to key industry secrets, he is happy to give his best advice away for free. “Be a good human being always,” encourages the photographer. “Do not let vice, ego, or the dishonesty of other people [mess] with your motive. Stay nice. Stay true. Stay grounded. This will take you so far.”

Much like the rest of the world, the COVID-19 pandemic has upended most of Dameshek’s daily life. What sets this photographer apart though is that he has kept a positive mentality throughout the entire ordeal. “The quarantine never bothered me,” shares Dameshek. “It feels like a weird chapter and every weird chapter has its purpose. We choose to let things hurt us or grown us. I think the time at home without distraction really forced me to evaluate my work and find new business opportunities I didn’t see before. Overall, I’m appreciative of the growth this time has given me.” True to our on-on-one experience, the photographer is unapologetic for being himself, “like me or don’t,” he says. Coming out with a tangible body of work and a number of other things in the future, Dameshek concludes our conversation with good vibes and humility saying, “thanks for making it this far in the interview.”