Meet Donelric Owens | Portrait & Street Photographer

We had the good fortune of connecting with Donelric Owens and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Donelric, why did you decide to pursue a creative path?
It all started with understanding that I was getting too comfortable with drawing. I have been drawing for about 20 years. I wanted to try a new medium as a challenge for myself. Photography was something I wanted to get into for the longest. However, I will admit that I didn’t have much confidence based on what to shoot or who to shoot. At first, in 2013 an old friend at the time wanted some pictures for a magazine spread. Unfortunately, it was met with a lot of mishaps that I soon lost motivation to photograph. Eventually I mustered up the courage to go out and buy a DSLR camera. About 10 years after gaining motivation, I was starting out shooting street photography to shooting more event-like photos such as cosplay conventions.

Let’s talk shop? Tell us more about your career, what can you share with our community?
My art focuses on the importance of belonging. As a photographer who showcases a neighborhood that I was raised in, I noticed the drastic changes around my community and it is my occupation to document that through imagery. It also goes the same in the cosplay community especially when people of color partake in the subculture. It definitely has not been an easy task. There have been some dilemmas I faced. However, planning your objective in advance can give you an advantage on the mission. Being consistent, reading up on different photographers, and heading to galleries is how I got here today.

Any places to eat or things to do that you can share with our readers? If they have a friend visiting town, what are some spots they could take them to?
If you love sushi, drinks and buffets, you should definitely check out the Blue Ginger in Miramar. If you love tacos, check out Coyo Taco in Wynwood. I love their quesadillas. You should definitely check out Flynn’s arcade in Margate if you love gaming. As far as art galleries, The Laundromat Gallery always have excellent exhibitions. There’s are other galleries such as ICA, Margulies collection (an awesome photography collection), Rubell Museum, DeLa Cruz Museum, and the Perez Art Museum.

Shoutout is all about shouting out others who you feel deserve additional recognition and exposure. Who would you like to shoutout?
Oh wow!!! There’s a lot of people for me to shoutout. But I have to shoutout two photographers, my mentor Peggy Nolan for the gems she bestowed upon me in the whole photography field. She is definitely one of those artists who gave me technical methods of shooting that I was able to apply to this day. Another photographer that I want to spread love to is Kevin Mijares because his cosplay photography is phenomenal. I also love the fact he learns things from me as much as I learn from him.

Website: https://www.demetrivondi.com

Instagram: https://instagram.com/demetri.von.di

Linkedin: https://linkedin.com/www.linkedin.com/in/donelric-owens-b251a9a8

Facebook: https://facebook.com/demetri.von.di