We were lucky to catch up with Khamaree ‘Kham’ Owens recently and have shared our conversation below.

Alright, Khamaree ‘Kham’ 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’ve worked on to date is a music visual called Being Black. During 2020, I really began digging into archival footage from different moments in time and I stumbled across so many historical moments. What stood out most to me was the Ten Point Program created by the Black Panthers. The entire Ten Point Program has been a plea, even to this day. for the things Black people deserve, are owed. It made me really emotional to learn that we’ve been asking for the same things, fighting for the same rights and nothing has changed. So I came up with this thesis. I wanted to show a visual comparison from circa 196os to 2020. Ironically. or maybe there’s no irony at all, the George Floyd protests in Baltimore had come up and I wanted to be apart of it. It was the first time I’d ever been to a protest. let alone film it. It was a very emotional experience, I remember feeling so alive to be apart of people getting together in such a way. At the same time, my friend and artist Black Assets hit me up about a song she’d been working on called Being Black. She wasn’t sure of the vision at the time and a dear friend suggested that I combine my thesis with Black’s words and sounds, after all, it is about the Black experience. From there, everything came together. The locations, experiences, and concepts presented themselves to me and I ran with it. This project is so personal to me, it features my tribe, the community and culture as a whole, and what I stand for as a storyteller, filmmaker, and creator.

Awesome – so before we get into the rest of our questions, can you briefly introduce yourself to our readers.

I got into the industry of filmmaking and cinematography after meeting a stranger on the street in Mt. Vernon. From there, I started filming weddings and my interests began to spread from servicing small businesses and nonprofits to real estate, short films, and so many other categories. I provide the service of storytelling through my cinematography and creativity, whether it’s a corporate event or a wedding, my goal is to always find the heart of my client and translate that into a story. The problems that I solve with my clients and through this work is using my voice through this medium, and in turn I’m able to help my clients do the same – find their voice and assist in creatively delivering the message. What sets me apart from others is my close attention to detail, my emotional approach, and my style of creativity. I’m most proud of taking a risk on myself by being uncomfortable. Every “stable” job I’ve had made me complacent in life, and I chose to take a risk on myself by leaving the monetary “stability” to pursue my passion. I’m proud to say no it was not easy to do but it’s been so rewarding and I have no regrets on any of the risks I’ve taken to get to where I am in my career. I want potential clients/followers/fans to know that khamdoArt will always put your voice first, I strive to tell your story the way you want it to be told, not based on what anyone else believes or thinks. My brand is all about being personable and intentional with every project created through this medium, and it’s the heart of who I am.

What do you find most rewarding about being a creative?

For me, the most rewarding aspect of my work is the recognition, and there’s many levels to being recognized. Any time a client posts my work via social media, I like to see how their audience engages with the content and to see my work being so well received is such a great and rewarding feeling. Being recognized by local and international brands and publications is very rewarding. I don’t do this work because I’m wanting to be famous or recognized, I do this work because it’s where my heart and passion resides. So to have the opportunity to be recognized for something I’m very passionate about means a lot to me. It’s a reminder to keep pushing myself.

How did you build your audience on social media?

I approached building my social platform as a portfolio where my audience could see my work. With building a following, mosts came from in person interactions from working with other creatives and vendors in the industry. Any time I film a wedding, I always connect with the couple and the vendors of the event, and I don’t just mean connecting on social media. I find ways to connect with my clients as people, in person, where we can feed off of one another’s energy. By doing so, I’ve been successful at maintaining relationships with my clients and fellow vendors, and in turn it invites them to want to stay connected with me.

Contact Info:

• Website: www.khamdoart.xyz
• Instagram: khamdoArt
• Facebook: Kham D. Owens / khamdoArt

Image Credits
Willis Aybar