Damián Siqueiros is first and foremost a ‘creator for impact’. His photography creates stunning visual campaigns for both advertising clients and cultural promotions in the performing arts. Damián’s personal work focuses on positive narratives that lead to healing social and ecological environments through empathic visual storytelling.
atedge: To start, what is a creator for impact?
Damián Siqueiros: It means using art as a tool to spark conversations that lead to the healing of socio-ecological systems. It means creating processes that are consistent with the values I promote in my work, from the conception to the distribution of the work. My team reflects the kind of diverse and egalitarian community I want to see reflected in the world.
I strive for a creative process that is eco-responsible and for collaborations that show empathy towards my fellow artists and contributors, and, especially, to the viewer.
Original concept sketches. Courtesy of Damián Siqueiros
atedge: Can you tell me about your working process?
Damián Siqueiros : I start each project with a lot of research to better understand more in-depth the companys history. First and foremost, my job is to listen to what the clients needs are with the ultimate goal to produce compelling visuals that engage on an emotional level. When I work with creatives and artistic directors, ideally it is a synergistic collaboration, which is the process where people work together to accomplish more than they could have done alone. I then design an approach that is tailered to that specific brand that includes creative direction, lighting, talent, costumes and location. I usually do a series of watercolors that I present and work from.
Production is surprisingly simple. I like working with a small crew, where everyone is an integral part of the end result. I take pride in creating experiences where we work and grow together on each project. Many people think most of my imagery happens in post, however that is not the case. In fact, I try to make sure as much as possible happens in real time and in camera. When you create environments, I find that the emotion will be genuine and resonate more with the audience. Of course, if there is a magical or otherworldly component, I will work closely with creatives on making this happen with an amazing creative post team.
atedge: Can you tell me about your projects that focus on mental well-being and healthcare?
Damián Siqueiros: I believe that everyone has been touched by some form of mental illness. In my own personal life, I have both family and friends who continue to deal with chronic illness and depression. This series offers those going through these life-disrupting disabilities a moment of understanding and truth through a compassionate but very real lens. It is important not to mask illness, since there is a stark reality to it, whether it be dispair, delusion, or pain. Perhaps by recognizing this, it can be the beginning to addessing ones needs and ultimately a better mental balance.
atedge: What would be your dream project?
Damián Siqueiros: Like everyone, it is a dream when a brand comes to you because of your unique voice. My work has brought me amazing collaborations with luxury brands, fashion, cultural venues, entertainment and healthcare. My recent work with French Canadian musician Jorane for her current album HEMENETSET, was such a project. It was a true partnership in which we created singularly unique and artistic pieces that embodied both her music and my visual language.
atedge: Do you have any advice that you can lend new photographers?
Damián Siqueiros: I do teach, and one consistent word of advice I give to my students is to develop a language, not just a style. If you work towards developing a language, you can work for anyone. I also encourage them to listen and have a dialogue with the person who is in front of their lens. If there is respect and understanding on how one wants to be represented, in turn there will be trust for you as an artist to capture.
