"Photography has taken me to many places. Both physical and spiritual. And what I have loved the most is the doors that my career has opened. I’ve found myself surrounded by objects/moments/people that many don’t get to see up close. I love being behind the scenes."

James Demaria: The Beauty of Photo-Art

James Demaria is a gifted photographer, filmmaker and soul searcher. James says: “I am a creative photographer known for portraits of musicians, executives, models, actors, and documentaries. Thrive on location and in creative lighting situations. Able to put the most anxious client at ease. Started shooting catalogs in NYC. Learned the ins and outs of commercial lighting, production and set design. Developed customer service skills and client relations. Supplemented my income working at West Side Photo Lab in the Photo District. Helped hone my customer service skills and gave me an edge when it came to knowing what film would react best with my lighting style. Working here also put me into a position where I interacted with many of the top art directors and agents with pro modeling agencies on a regular basis. In 2001-2004 I began shooting within the magazine industry. Repeat clients were Maxim, GEAR and Gourmet magazines among others. Around this time, I also started shooting portraits and events for the NY Stock Exchange. Was also shooting travel pieces for Hilton Hotels in Atlanta. In 2005 New Orleans called. My work was mostly in the food, convention, and entertainment industries. Post Hurricane Katrina I developed a strong bond with many of the local musicians and by 2009 was known as one of the cities most called on shooters."

(Photo: James Demaria has been a professional photographer for over 20 years)

James continues: "My first independent film which was co-produced by musician and actor Kermit Ruffins and was called “Tremé Life.” This documentary spoke on the change in the music industry and life in general after the devastating storm Katrina nearly destroyed New Orleans. My second film “The Key To Me” was filmed from 2012-2013 and aired on WYES (PBS) in New Orleans May 1, 2014. It was a love story from musician Paul Sanchez to his wife who was battling breast cancer at the time. In 2018 I began work on a film entitled “Trad” which is still in production and travel to New Orleans when possible. Mixed within this time frame were shoots for The Yogi Berra Museum, Louis Armstrong House Museum and nonprofit Trumpets Not Guns, Habitat For Humanity and the New Orleans Musicians Clinic."

Interview by Michael Limnios          Photos © by James Demaria / All rights reserved

How has the music and photo art influenced your views of the world and the journeys you’ve taken?

Photography has taken me to many places. Both physical and spiritual. And what I have loved the most is the doors that my career has opened. I’ve found myself surrounded by objects/moments/people that many don’t get to see up close. I love being behind the scenes.

What characterize your artistic philosophy? Where does your creative drive come from?

I have a strong love/hate relationship with my fellow human beings. Can be blown away by acts of courage or made to cringe at selfishness. But I try to find the beauty in each of my subjects because I believe deep down there is something in each of us. And many folks choose to hide their inner self. Sometimes I can make it appear for 1/60th of a second and that makes me happy. I’ve been told countless times in my career that I make people look good. Like themselves or like a version of themselves they always wanted to be.

"I approach each shoot based on who or what I am trying to connect with. Doing a one-on-one shoot is my favorite. Especially when it’s someone who’s really into the project. Or really needs the images to help with their own work. I love to talk when we shoot and have a good time. When I was putting together my website. I asked clients for testimonials." (Uncle Lionel & Dr. John / Photos © by James Demaria) 

What do you miss most nowadays from the music of the past? What touched you from Dr. John's music?

I miss creativity in music and I hate that everything is so computerized. And I miss groundbreakers. People like Mac Rebennack aka Dr John. He was like the epitome cool. In the way he dressed to the way he talked. And the way he played. He walked it like he talked it. He was a wonderful configuration of all things cool about New Orleans and the music scene in general. People tend to think of him for his hits and the musicians that he collaborated with. (BB King, Rolling Stones, Van Morrison, Harry Connick, Ringo Starr and the list goes on and on.) But he was a creator. You can trace Mac’s career to Rock and Roll’s earliest days. A forefather. An influencer before that was some lame thing on a social media app. He was producing and playing on recordings when he was 15 years old! Before there was a Beatles or Rolling Stones. Just bought a copy of the first vinyl he was credited on. It's called Boppin and A-Strollin with Leonard James. Mac wrote and played guitar and produced. He was 18 years old when it was released. In 1958!!!

What do you love most about the act of photo shooting? How do you want your images to affect people?

I approach each shoot based on who or what I am trying to connect with. Doing a one-on-one shoot is my favorite. Especially when it’s someone who’s really into the project. Or really needs the images to help with their own work. I love to talk when we shoot and have a good time. When I was putting together my website. I asked clients for testimonials. Jazz Trumpeter Kermit Ruffins replied, “When I’m doing a shoot with James it doesn’t feel like work because we’re having such a great time.” And funk/ rock/ jazz/ blues/ piano legend Mac Rebennack’s quote said simply "James don’t f**k around.” These made me ecstatic because I don’t like to be intrusive. Or frustrating to other people. I’ve heard so many times over the years that many photographers aren’t prepared or don’t really have a plan. And to compensate they are painfully slow. That wastes everybody’s time.                      (Kermit Ruffins / Photo © by James Demaria) 

"It’s easy to lie with a photograph. So, I like my work to be not over retouched or digitized. I still shoot like I’m working with film and can’t go change everything in post production. So, simplicity and honesty make images that I love the most. Over production kills integrity."

Are there any specific memories or highlights of your career that you would like to tell us about?!

I started my photo career in NYC in the 90’s. Many of the assignments that I covered were for the City of NY. Gigs at the Stock Exchange, World Trade Center, City Hall, Grand Central Terminal etc…

A memory that I always reflect on especially on the anniversary of 9-11 was a simple shoot for Toys For Tots at Windows On The World. (WTC. 107th floor of the North Tower.)

There were two things that happened that will stay with me until I die. For the most part it was a normal party. Marines and Firefighters giving toys to less fortunate or sick kids. But there was a bartender who was an amateur photographer/ enthusiast/ photo geek type of guy. Italian from Brooklyn. Gold chains and slick back hair. Maybe in his late 50’s. I don’t remember his name. He approached me and wanted to know what cameras I used and that sort of thing. So, I showed him my gear. Two Canon 35mm film cameras and Sunpack flash units. I also kept an old model camera in a side pocket. Just in case. It was a vintage Nikon. I don’t recall the model. But it was very cool to look at and I had three or four lenses with it. When I showed him, his eyes lit up. He’d had the exact camera years back and it was stolen and for whatever reason he could never replace it. He asked if I would sell it and being a young broke dude trying to live in Manhattan I said of course with a slight tinge of remorse after I handed it over. But a handful of cash is a handful of cash. And he was so happy that he kept shaking my hand and bringing me drinks and snacks. His excitement made me happy that I sold it to him.

My first thought after hearing that the Towers were gone was that I hoped enough years had passed and he had moved on. Or that it wasn’t his shift. Because everyone who was working there that day died. We’ve all seen the picture of Falling Man who is believed to have worked at the restaurant. Haunting and terrible.

The second instance was from Santa. (Actually, an FDNY'er in costume but his spirit was the same.) In this memory I was off to the side of the proceedings. Not much going on. People eating and mingling. Kids running wild. I was taking a break, and someone came up and said... You’re gonna want to grab your cameras and head over by the windows. Santa’s coming! Confused I ran over to a group of men who were attempting to pop a window out so that FDNY Santa could be lowered down from a crane. I was in shock. I got dizzy looking out the windows! But sure enough they had someone ringing sleigh bells and with a ho ho ho Santa appeared out of the clouds that had gathered and plopped into the restaurant like it was the most normal thing in the world. I took some snaps and said…. Man, you must be crazy… To which he replied… Gotta do it for the kids. Look at their faces... He smiled and ho ho ho’d off and as the news settled in a few years later I was bummed that it would never happen again. And that I turned over the film to whoever hired me and didn't have a single frame. I’ve looked online over the years and have never seen one image posted anywhere. From my event or any others. Nope. Nothing.

"I have a strong love/hate relationship with my fellow human beings. Can be blown away by acts of courage or made to cringe at selfishness. But I try to find the beauty in each of my subjects because I believe deep down there is something in each of us. And many folks choose to hide their inner self. Sometimes I can make it appear for 1/60th of a second and that makes me happy. I’ve been told countless times in my career that I make people look good. Like themselves or like a version of themselves they always wanted to be." (Dancing Man 504 & Kinfolk Brass Band, New Orleans / Photo © by James Demaria)

Let’s take a trip with a time machine, so where and why would you really want to go for a whole day?

Ah man. I’d really like to see the New Orleans that Louis Armstrong knew as a kid. The musicians and hustlers. Seedy characters and women of ill repute. And all those good food smells.

What is the impact of photo art on the socio-cultural implications? What do you think is key to a good image?

It’s easy to lie with a photograph. So, I like my work to be not over retouched or digitized. I still shoot like I’m working with film and can’t go change everything in post production. So, simplicity and honesty make images that I love the most. Over production kills integrity. One of my photo heroes is Helmut Newton. And I remember reading an interview with him early on in my career. He basically said there’s only one sun. One source of light that is natural to the human eye. Using more is unnatural. That made sense to me and influenced how I light subjects.

What are some of the most important lessons you have learned from your experience in the music photography?

I’ve have good relationships with musicians over the years. And some bad ones. Some of those cats walk that fine line between the genius and crazy. But I’ve had some seriously fun and exciting times. Used to do a lot for High Times Magazine. Worked on shoots with Insane Clown Posse and Die Antwoord. Rock stars know how to have fun!

James Demaria Photography - Home

"Ah man. I’d really like to see the New Orleans that Louis Armstrong knew as a kid. The musicians and hustlers. Seedy characters and women of ill repute. And all those good food smells." (L: Rev Goat R: Kermit Ruffins & Selma on the steps of Louis Armstrong's house / Photos © by James Demaria / All rights reserved