Interview

Jul 23

Lemmie Downs-Lunn, Jr.

Lemmie is an internationally recognized, visionary photographer who has a passion for capturing life's most precious moments. From weddings to private or public events to personal photo shoots; he has the experience and knowledge to produce stunning photographs that you will cherish for years to come. Not only does he capture stunning photos during his photoshoots; he is also a skilled landscape and nature photographer. Lemmie’s style of shooting images sets him apart from other photographers. He understands that everyone has unique needs and preferences when it comes to photography. That's why he takes the time to get to know his clients and understand their vision. He works closely with you to ensure that every detail is perfect, from the lighting to the poses. Every photographer has a signature look to their work. He has developed his signature look. When you see his photography, you know instantly it’s a Lemmie D. Lunn original. You will get photographs that stand out from the rest. Lemmie lives in Buckroe Beach in Hampton, Virginia USA. Many of the images displayed in this article are from the Buckroe Beach area in Hampton, Virginia.

What is your background and how did you start your journey in the art world?

“My background starts with my parents. My father was a musician, playing saxophone in a jazz band. He went on to be a master mortician who was a Picasso when it came to making the deceased look amazing. My father was very creative and skilled. My mother, a retired schoolteacher, is amazing with arts and crafts. She is often commissioned to create programs for churches, bookmarks, banners, etc. She is very creative and visionary. I would say that I inherited both of my parent's creative genes. I too played in the band. I played saxophone and trombone. I also found a love in painting. Art class and band were my favorite classes, in school. I then turned my interest to writing poetry and short stories. Photography was always simmering on the backburner. For years I would take photographs, during my travels around the world. Those photographs were always stunning and memorable. Photography quickly became an ongoing hobby, while I worked full-time as a Social Worker. I still write poetry and short stories, but over the last year and a half; I started placing more focus on my photography and honing my craft.
I currently work as a Palliative Care Social Worker at Maryview Medical Center, in Portsmouth, Virginia. I also work out of Mary Immaculate Hospital, in the same roll. I quickly started realizing how photography can be beneficial on many levels, including people entering their end-of-life stage. Photography can evoke so many different emotions. These same emotions that are felt by everyone. You can look at a photograph and it instantly can take you back to period in time that brings about fond pleasant memories. When you feel down, a beautiful photograph can uplift the spirit. My mission with my photography is to brighten the world with beautiful, bold and visionary images. Images that will linger with you, long after you have moved on from the image. I want to show the beauty in the world, when so many focus on the darkness of the world.”

What inspires you?

“The thing that inspires me the most is seeing other photographers with that bold, visionary eye for beauty. The way they capture a landscape or the way they capture a model in such a way that makes them feel beautiful; even when they don't feel beautiful. I am inspired to be the same way with my photography.”

What themes do you pursue? Is there an underlying message in your work?

“With my photography, the things that inspire me the most are love and nature. Love always drowns out hate. I love looking at the beauty of our wonderful Earth and love capturing images that are colorful, bold and visionary. I live in a beach house and have access to God's canvas every day. The waves of the ocean. The clouds nestled above the horizon over the ocean. The ocean evokes feelings of being unstoppable and unwavering. When I do my photoshoots, I love capturing people in their element. Showing them loving life. I have done maternity photoshoots, portraits, prom photoshoots and family photoshoots. The common thread in all of those photoshoots is love and happiness. These images are now forever and years from now; those clients can look at those photos and instantly take them back to that loving and happy moment that was frozen in time. Being able to give that to my clients is what keep me inspired and keeps me striving to the best at what I do.”

How would you describe your work?

“I often describe my work as bold, visionary and stunning. When I take a photograph, I want that image to be rich in color. I want it to be crisp and thought provoking. I want my photography to stick with the person; long after they have moved on from the image. It is what sets an amazing photograph apart from an average. I also love shooting my photography at different angles and vantage points. This helps with making the image stand out. I constantly get feedback from fans who tell me that my photography is museum worthy. It is because those images are bold, visionary and stunning.”

Which artists influence you most?

“Herb Ritts has to be at the top of my list of artists who influenced me the most. He too was a bold, visionary photographer who captured some stunningly beautiful photography. When you saw a photograph of Herb Ritts; you knew that it was his work. He had a specific style that was his own. This style also translated to the music industry, which I have a background in as I mentioned earlier. I love blending music with my photography and Herb did it effortlessly. He directed a number of music videos, including one of my favorite videos, ‘Love Will Never Do Without You,’ from my favorite musical artist Janet Jackson. I want my photography to evoke the same emotions as Herb Ritts' work. Herb was also openly gay. I too am an openly gay photographer. I actually make it my mission to reach out to the LGBTQ community to let them know that there is a photographer that is safe and you can be yourself during photoshoots with. I have heard horror stories about some photographers not wanting to shoot clients who are gay or not wanting to book an LGBTQ client who is getting married. I believe in love is love. Herb Ritts was the same way.”

“I often describe my work as bold, visionary and stunning. When I take a photograph, I want that image to be rich in color.”

What is your creative process like?

“My creative process depends on if I am shooting landscapes or if I am doing a photoshoot. If I am doing landscapes, I first scope out the area that I am interested in shooting. I live in a coastal area with tons of beaches, so I am always inspired. I get to the location and feel the location. Feel the aura of the location. I look around and see what angles I can shoot that would give a different spin on the same scenery that everyone has seen time and time again. I then start snapping away, changing the camera settings often, just to get a different feel in the same shot. I often times position myself in awkward positions, to get the best shot. It has never failed.
When I do my photoshoots, I always start off by getting to know the client. I like to know what they hope to get from the photoshoot. If there are any specific poses that they want to be shot in and most importantly, where they want to be shot. If it is a location shoot. I get there early to scope out the location and determine the best areas that will give the best background. I am also paying attention to lighting, shadows, etc. When the client arrives, we chat briefly then we work as a team. Many times, the clients allow me to pose them. I have lots of poses that I like to use. I like putting people in different poses that you do not regularly see. I also shoot them in different angles, not just the traditional straight ahead and smile shot. I take multiple shots of the same setting; especially if its more than one person in the shot. You can always count on someone blinking or looking away. The final step is the editing of the photos. That to me is the fun part. I make sure the images are crisp, colorful and stunning. I also love doing black and white photography. Same process, without the color.”

What is an artist’s role in society and how do you see that evolving?

“I see the artist's role in society as one who brings happiness and also can be a conversation starter. An artist can bring people from all walks of life together to discuss a piece and often times find out there is commonalities among people of different backgrounds. My photography has opened lines of dialogue with people from many different races and backgrounds. People that I may not have every chatted with online or met in person and had a cup of coffee with. Art, including photography, can make you forget some of the troubles of the world, even if it is just a fleeting moment. My photography has started doing that. Artists in general have the capability of unifying people. The common thread that binds us if often some form of art. I often post my photography on social media. There has been a couple of times that my posts have gone viral. My posts were starting conversations, and these conversations were with people from different political affiliations than me and different culture. Racism is born out of ignorance and often time because we are not exposed to people who are different than us. Art can bring different people to conversation circle and in communicated we can learn about different culture and people with different views. The key is having an open mind and an open heart. Art is evolving to help with those efforts of unifying our society. I hope my photography can continue to do that as well.”