Meet James Deak

Today we’d like to introduce you to James Deak.

James, let’s start with your story. We’d love to hear how you got started and how the journey has been so far.
I’m 39 years old, I’m a fashion editorial and beauty photographer living currently in Mesa, AZ. The journey began back about two years ago when sitting at my job (that I am still currently at) and I saw a YouTube video of Gary Vaynerchuk and he talked about “regret” and how painful it is at the end of life.

In his short video he began to say how he talked to many elderly people and asked them the same question, “tell me about your life”, and everyone one of them said, “I regret”… This really stuck with me; it made me think a whole lot, it made me think what am I doing with myself right now, am I happy?… And the answer was “NO”! So I started to think to myself what do I really truly like or love to do? The answer was pretty simple, I’ve always loved taking photos, even going back to my years in high school, I took photography classes, learning how to use film cameras and how to develop your own pictures. Reminiscing back to those days, I remember being so happy about shooting, it didn’t have to be a certain subject or content it was just fun!

Fast forwarding, when I decided hey I need to start doing this again, shoot when I can learn what I can. So I bought a refurbished camera and lens and began to shoot pretty much every weekend, I remember when the switch went off and told me “you should pursue this for a living” so little by little I shot more and more, acquired a little bit more gear and just got hooked! Between this time and current time I’ve found myself really loving to shoot portraits and fashion style images, working some local brands and agencies, shooting for Phoenix fashion week and other fashion shows. Pursuing my number one goal, to shoot for GQ magazine, the process and road in between will be long and hard, but I am willing to give it my all and pursue a dream that was put inside me.

Has it been a smooth road?
The road to success is never smooth or easy. The bigger the goal/dream, the harder you have to work. I’ve really learned in the last two years what hard work really is.. and even disappointment. Having dealt with shoots that don’t go through, people that don’t come through. Realizing that those clients or shoots that don’t work out, don’t work out for a reason, there’s something better to come.

So, as you know, we’re impressed with James Deak photography – tell our readers more, for example, what you’re most proud of and what sets you apart from others.
I specialize in portraits/ fashion editorial and beauty, and I also retouch all my photos myself. I’m most proud of the personal projects that I do with models, both men and women, I get to be as creative as I want and there’s no restrictions. What sets me apart is my lighting, I am obsessed with how an image is lit. I continue to learn about how light acts and in what situations. I’ve made it a priority to learn lighting in many different situations so I am always prepared to know how to properly light a specific scene.

Let’s touch on your thoughts about our city – what do you like the most and least?
Living in Mesa has generally been good, I previously lived in Gilbert, I often travel to Phoenix for events and shoots, so I have seen many parts of the city, I definitely love the feel and culture of Phoenix, you always feel when your in downtown Phoenix or even on Roosevelt Row, which is very artistic. What I like least is probably after 5 pm there isn’t much going on, many restaurants close early and if you’re down the later in the night almost everything is closed.

Contact Info:

• Website: Jamesdeakphotography.com
• Email: jdeak06@gmail.com
• Instagram: @jamesdphoenix

Getting in touch: VoyagePhoenix is built on recommendations from the community; it’s how we uncover hidden gems, so if you know someone who deserves recognition please let us know here.