We recently connected with Demiko Aiken and have shared our conversation below.

Alright, Demiko thanks for taking the time to share your stories and insights with us today. Can you talk to us about a project that’s meant a lot to you?

The most meaningful project I worked on happened this year It was for the US Dream Academy. I work with a company called Imagine Photography I am one of their Associate photographers/videographers. One evening the owner of the company called me and said we may get Oprah, If we do can you film her. It was an automatic yes even though I knew I didn’t have everything it was a chance of a lifetime. When we finally got the ok I received a phone call normally I screen my calls but I answered and it was Oprah’s producer. We had a discussion and I was able to convince her staff that I was the person for the job. If you look up the US Dream Academy they are a program that help children with incarcerated parents. I am parent with an incarcerated child so I felt that I had an opportunity to not only film this moment but to share my story with some of the children in the process. Not only did we execute a great interview I was able teach 3 young ladies how to operate a camera, how to set up a set and how to assist in a production. This impacted me because out of all of the videographers in the area I was chosen for the task. Not only was the evening a success Oprah matched every donation made that evening so more children can live out their dreams.

Demiko, love having you share your insights with us. Before we ask you more questions, maybe you can take a moment to introduce yourself to our readers who might have missed our earlier conversations?

My name is Demiko Aiken I am the owner of Phocal Vision Productions. I started taking photos in 2010. I fell in love with photography shortly after. Because I worked full time I didn’t take my passion as serious as I could have because I had something to fall back on. I continued to work on it and found a couple of photographers who took me under their wings and allowed me to build momentum to fly own my own. I am told it is my character and customer service skill that allow other photographers to call me in to take care of their clients. I am a collaborator, I played sports as a child my competing days are over. I like to work with all types of creatives. My art has taken me to different continents to capture Artist creating in their creative context. I like to call myself the most known unknown photographer in the DMV. I am grateful for the opportunities I get but when you work for others you are not credited for your work the company is. Working with some of the top photography companies in the area my work is seen often but you wouldn’t know unless either I told you or you know my work. I’v taken photos and videos of your favorite rappers or singers to the President of the United States. I take pride my craft and love the fact that I am one of the curators of time. When your super power is freezing time and capturing time so people can travel back to those moments there isn’t anything else I would rather do. It’s more than smiles and poses it’s capturing the essence of someones life. My company is an event based company from Corporate events to baby showers. I believe everyone should be able to have a piece of their history in a pristine looking photography or video. I would love to work with more creatives globally and love serving the community. My moto is Our Phocus is your Vision. My Vision for my company is to not only be a household name but a company that represents stories of those whose stories will unlikely never be told. Imagine if you could hear the thousands words those pictures were worth.

What else should we know about how you took your side hustle and scaled it up into what it is today?

Until last year I was a Manager at a formidable pharmaceutical company. I had been taking photos and filming weddings on the side for years. I used that money to buy my gear that I have now that use to run my business now. I had plans to go full time but my mentor told me to 1 have my salary in my savings and 2 take out a line a credit to get by on so the jump wouldn’t seen so painful. That plan didn’t happen I was laid off and decided that I would not look back and do what I love to do. I decided I only needed a plan A and I have been executing it since. Some milestones this year were being one of the Lead photographer at the Congressional Black Caucus, being Director of Photography for an exclusive Orpah Winfrey interview and I was a the lead photographer for Supreme Court Justice Ketanji Brown Jackson at Howard University Law School. I was only one of the photographers for Howard University’s largest graduation in school history.

What’s been the best source of new clients for you?

The best source of new clients for me has been networking. Until last year I would go into an event execute my services and leave. I didn’t think it was professional to converse with others when I was paid to come in a do a job. Being that I subcontract a lot you never wanted to step on another photographers toes by taking potential clients. Even when they were my clients I would only rely on word of mouth if they referred me from their event or photoshoot. I had to change my introverted ways and know I introduce myself. I have worked with some great people this year because I finally understood that closed mouths don’t get fed. Social media has opened up the world but there is nothing better than old fashion introductions when you are out in public.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.phocalvision.com
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/phocalvision/
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/phocalvision
• Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/demikoaiken/
• Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@PhocalVision

Image Credits

The photo of me and SCOTUS Jackson Brown MAD Works Photography if. you use it.