Up & Away Magazine

From 'Bahamasair inFlight Magazine - 'The Fashion, Food and Fun' Issue Oc...'
By Nikia Wells

Robyn Damianos started her career as a fashion model, appearing in a wide range of international publications before heading behind the lens. She has a unique eye for photography, which has resulted in her becoming a highly sought after and respected figure in her field. The Up and Away team recently caught up with Robyn (the talent behind this month’s stunning cover) to find out a bit more about her impressive and globe-trotting career, and what inspires her to create her captivating images.

Up and Away: How did you get into the fashion and photography industry?
I was discovered when I was 15 years old by Select Model Management. Modelling internationally in VOGUE, advertising campaigns and runway shows for brands such as Prada, Burberry, Vivienne Westwood, etc., was a one-of-a-kind experience. The move from model to photographer came naturally, as I was drawn to the creative side of the fashion industry. Working with fashion photographers such as Steven Meisel, Corinne Day, Mariano Vivanco, etc., developed my keen eye for composition, lighting, and storytelling through images.

Up and Away: What inspired your love for photography?
I have always loved photography. My grandad gave me one of his old film cameras to play with when I was a child. I was hooked. I have almost always carried a camera, capturing memories with friends and breathtaking island scenery on my travels. It wasn’t until I moved back home to The Bahamas that I was truly inspired to frame my own concepts. The beauty of our islands is captivating, and I wanted to combine my fine-art photography with my 12 years of experience in the international fashion world. I love producing and photographing fashion editorials that highlight Bahamian designers and local artists.

Up and Away: How would you describe your photography style?
Memorable, island-inspired lifestyle, portrait, and fashion photography. I find it easy to connect and communicate with my subject, which sets the tone for the entire shoot. I love to experiment with movement and mood to tell the right story for each of my clients.

Up and Away: What has been your favourite photoshoot, to date?
That’s a tough one! I would say it’s a tie between this cover for Up and Away and one of my island-inspired editorials for Harper’s Bazaar. This cover shoot was such fun to bring to life – everything came together effortlessly on the day. The models were fantastic, the makeup was flawless, and the production team was prepared and ready to work together to create. My favourite editorial for Harper’s was memorable in that I was able to include a few Bahamian designer brands into the story alongside international brands such as Burberry, YSL, and Versace. My favourite moment was photographing the model who was wearing a dress by Bahamian designer Ria Smith, and a fantastic handmade Junkanoo headpiece. The weather changed unexpectedly, and the wind picked up right before sunset, which meant that we had to change the shoot plan last minute. I asked the team to position their cars in a semicircle and we used the headlights to illuminate the model just as dusk set in. The resulting images are still some of my favourites, to date.

Up and Away: If you could photograph anyone, anything or anyplace in the world, who/what would it be and why?
My first passion was nature and landscape photography. It would be a dream come true to photograph the beauty of the Northern Lights.

Up and Away: What tips would you give for novice photographers, so that they can take the best photo possible?
Practice. Practice. Practice. Experiment with different compositions and lighting conditions. Learn to work with natural light, as well as artificial lighting when needed. Pay attention to the direction, intensity, and quality of light as it can dramatically affect the mood and atmosphere of your photos. Always be professional and kind to the teams that you work with, no matter how big or small the assignment. Remember, photography is an art form, and there are no strict rules. Embrace your creativity, have fun, and let your unique perspective shine through in your photos.