Today we’d like to introduce you to Dametreus Ward.
Dametreus, we’d love to hear your story and how you got to where you are today both personally and as an artist.
Well, hello, my name is Dametreus, but everyone calls me Meech. I’m originally from Milwaukee, WI. I aspired to be an architect until I realized that I had more interest in Business marketing around my sophomore year of college. I had always had toy cameras when I was younger. I would also say a big influence was my mom as she did photography but more so family events. I would always think she would capture everything at the wrong time and I just knew that I would be great for photography as I could feel how people would want to be photographed. I began to pick up my first DLSR camera which at the time was a canon eos xsi. I started off with landscape photography but had not been interested too long because of no challenge. My friends had always told me how you would never see me without my camera. If I went to an event, my camera came with. I would capture photos of my friends throughout the campus throughout the day. I worked with one of my favorite designers back home in Milwaukee, Chelsea Stotts of Modamuneca. I built a love for fashion and beauty in the process. I then left and moved to Dallas Texas in Dec of 2014 where I continued school but in business marketing. I attended the University of North Texas. I had been working two jobs at the time trying to keep up with bills. I eventually quit one job, and my boss from my other had mentioned about photography and was curious to see my work. I stepped into his office, and I showed him my work, and he immediately told me it was clear what I had a passion for. He then followed up with that he doesn’t expect me to be here by the end of the year. So of course, I’m freaking out because I didn’t need to lose any job at the time. I didn’t get fired, but I did quit two months later.
I reached a low point of my life where both my jobs weren’t financially helping and I was in a situation where I behind two months in rent. Not to mention my transmission had just went out on my car, and my car got repoed. Embarrassing yes, but also motivated me more. It was either start over and go back to Milwaukee or stay in Texas and figure it out. I stayed and ended up creating a photo package deal that helped me take care of all the problems that had been going on. Had promised myself not to ever put myself in that situation ever again.
This is now a new feeling for me because the only job I had now was photography. I had also stopped continuing school my junior year as I felt school no longer was in my interest. I had my doubts and even called friends who even encouraged me doing photography full time. In about three months business picked up and it came to a point where I was getting bookings every other day. So I told myself that I need to move again and that I was ready for what was next. It was a debate between NY and Cali, and I decided on Cali after 13 times visiting exploring and branding myself in the city. It took two years before I actually moved due to me wanting to make sure I had built a decent name for myself but a promise to myself that at any time of the age of 25 I’ll be moving to California. My family, of course, stressed how it was very expensive but still supported my decision to move again. So packed up drove a U-Haul and attached my car and it was off to a new life. What made me finally say yes to moving was the fact that my last trip I visited, I had been staying for a week, and business was amazing and stayed another week due to the demand. I knew now that I had nothing to be afraid of but to just be ready to adapt and hustle harder.
I’ve currently been here for a year and nine months as of March 2019. When I first moved I worked closely with Draya Michele. I also would connect with other amazing talent and create whenever the opportunity would present itself. As time went by business picked up in 3 months, and I find myself now figuring when my next day off is haha. All blessings though and I’m super grateful to be where I am and have had the honor to photograph along the way. I’ve been successfully been doing photography for four years full time now. I’ve picked up videography and have been doing very well with that in the time period I’ve been studying. The opportunities here are absolutely amazing and I’m thankful for the whole journey. I encourage if anyone has a passion for something go for it and don’t let anyone ever tell you that you can’t do something. People will place their fears on you have you feeling as if you won’t make it either. Do You! A motto I live by is, “You get blessings to give blessings.”
I’m sure you’re wondering where Meech213 came from? Well, California had always been a dream for me to live. Did I ever think I would end up here? Not at all. I used to play video games a lot, and at the time I wanted the user name BigMeech, but that wasn’t available. They had Meech123 and Meech213, and I told myself Meech213 it is. So before I started photography, I had gotten a call but as I picked up the phone called ended. So what got me was the area code said 213, and before I did research I had no idea that that originally was Los Angeles area code. So for me, I felt that was a sign that a calling was awaiting me in California. So I stuck with it, and it amazes me to see that I live in CA now coming all the way from Milwaukee, WI. Anything is possible if you believe in yourself.
We’d love to hear more about your art. What do you do and why and what do you hope others will take away from your work?
I’m an editorial Fashion/Beauty photography and videographer. I focus on the art side of photography and having an open range to the creative side. I find myself inspired by greats like Mert Alas, Marcus Piggot, Mario Testino and Kristian Schuller. I hope people take the art and see the passion behind it from my perspective.
Artists face many challenges, but what do you feel is the most pressing among them?
I think the biggest challenge many artist face is faith. I think many times we all get tested our faith in certain situations and I feel those are the key moments that we have to take advantage of and stay positive and never get comfortable. Once you’re comfortable, you tend to not work as hard or put as much effort into something.
Do you have any events or exhibitions coming up? Where would one go to see more of your work? How can people support you and your artwork?
People can find my work on the following:
Meech213.com – Website
@Meech213 – Instagram
I am in the works of having my first themed galley within the next 3 months so to stay on the lookout for that.
Contact Info:
- Website: meech213.com
- Email: [email protected]
- Instagram: meech213
- Facebook: Dametreus Ward
- Other: IG – @meech213
Image Credit:
Amber, Sarah, Bella,Tiana, Rachel, Draya, Aiyanna
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