October, 2011

What up peeps? Got a message from my homie Purpose about his new mixtape and album…

Download ‘Don’t I Know It‘ for free!

My album is finished and ready to roll but in the meantime I will drop ‘If The City Had A Voice pt. 3′ late November!

It will be a free release as pt. 2 was.

Features: Prime, Motive & Production by myself, Answer, Rob Shaker (WA), Cam Bluff (QLD).

Thanks, homie! Cop that joint, folks…

As y’all might know, we’re fans of the whole Been Had series we posted last years (do your research, goddamnit lol).

The big homie Jose Hustle hit us up recently, and he’s about to explode a whole bunch of brand new video blogs. We just got the exclusive first vlog, hit the jump! Look out for more Jose on the reg on The Movement Fam.com!

Through our Artist Features section, we’ve covered MCs, DJs, producers, models, designers…and now photographers.

Darren Johnson, a young photographer from London, caught our eye and he was good enough to answer some questions while on vacation in Jamaica.

Cee: Hey Darren, what’s good man? I know you’re out in Jamaica right now, so peace for chatting to us on your vacay.

Darren: No problem at all!

Cee: First up, break down your journey in photography for the people.

Darren: I was at a crossroads in my life around 2007, wondering what to do career-wise (which I’m sure most people have the same dilemma once in a while). It then hit me that since I was little I have studied photos either from family, friends or even complete strangers personal collections.

I then nervously enrolled into a course, which luckily was very close by, in film photography, which taught me the basics in the darkroom.

Once I finished the course, I decided to purchase a camera and ever since then a camera never leaves my sight. I’m always looking out for potential photographic opportunities, at the same time building a reputation, brand and business.

Cee: What’s the meaning behind the name iDJ Photography?

Darren: The meaning behind the name iDJ is: i: Eye (being the obvious tool I use in my line of work), D: Darren and J: Johnson.

Cee: Do you have a mentor? Did you take a course? Or are you self-taught? Or a combination?

Darren: I don’t really have a mentor other than the my teacher from the course I took in 2007. Ever since then I have been learning as I go along, reasearching etc.

Cee: You’re based outta London (England, not Ontario for those in Canada). How’s the market out there? Is there a lot of competition? What makes you different from the thousands of other photographers?

Darren: London is very saturated with photographers. Being a photographer in London is a challenge but at the same time London is quite possibly the best place to photograph. In terms of what makes me different from the rest? I’m not sure, I don’t really focus on other photographers with their marketing, etc. I just aim to produce my best work, good value for money and a quick turn around for my clients. This has worked for me so far which has reflected on the glowing references I recieve.

Cee: Out of all the various styles and subjects that you do, what’s your favourite to work with?

Darren: My favourite ‘shots’ are the ones where I could be watching TV or walking to the store and an idea pops in my head and I run with it. I call this my “misc” album, which you can see on my website or Facebook. I do genuinely enjoy all styles of photography, I still get that buzz no matter what/who I photograph.

Cee: What would be your main inspiration as a photographer?

Darren: My inspiration was my trip to Jamaica in 2008! I just bought my first SLR before flying out to Jamaica and fell in love with photography, which was aided with being in such a beautiful country.

Cee: What made you pick up a camera to express your creative side, as opposed to say a paintbrush or a guitar?

Darren: I honestly don’t know the answer that one. I believe life gives you opportunities, and I just simply took this one.

Cee: If you could have any other talent, what would it be?

Darren: It would 100% be a professional football (soccer) player. Football is a big passion for me, I try and watch as much as I can no matter where I am.

Cee: What’s next once you get back from JA?

Darren: Same as before I left, keep pushing the business a much as I can. Working hard on images, ideas, marketing, networking, delivery, etc.

Cee: Let the people know where they can find you!

Darren: Website: www.idjphotography.com
Facebook: www.facebook.com/idjphotos

Cee: Thanks for your time cuz!

Darren: Thank you!