We were lucky to catch up with Stephen Demmert recently and have shared our conversation below.
Stephen, thanks for taking the time to share your stories with us today Can you talk to us about how you learned to do what you do?
I was lucky enough to earn about photography at an early age. My Mom was a photographer my entire childhood and often allowed me to use her camera to take photos. Once youtube became a popular teaching tool, I started to watch videos especially created by photographers specializing in night photography. I took the skills, camera settings, and advice they gave, tweaked it a bit, and tried to develop my style regarding how I took photos and edited them. The biggest thing that always stopped me was my criticism of my work. I was constantly unsatisfied with my work, which created a lot of self-doubts, preventing me from wanting to go out and take photos. The one thing that got me through that self-doubt had the drive to change photography and how people approach it as an art. Knowing I have the chance to inspire a lot of photographers out there to find their style drives me every day. Looking back on it and knowing what I know now, I don’t know if there was anything I could’ve done to speed up the learning process. My path was the most successful and the only course I could’ve taken regarding my goal. Learning the importance of specific camera settings and editing techniques from artists online helped me create the distinctive photo style I was trying to achieve.
Great, appreciate you sharing that with us. Before we ask you to share more of your insights, can you take a moment to introduce yourself and how you got to where you are today to our readers.
My name is Stephen Demmert, and I am a photographer originally from Chicago, Illinois but currently based in Denver, Colorado. I have been doing photography since High school but have been doing it professionally for the past five years. My mom got me into photography early in my childhood, and some of my earliest memories were taking photos of baby birds in their nests. In high school, I took a trip to Alaska with my family, which solidified my love for photography. I could take photos of whales, bears, moose, puffins; you name it. I had the chance to take pictures of wildlife some people dream of seeing. After high school, I fell out of touch with photography and focused more on college, which I quickly learned wasn’t for me. It wasn’t till about 4 or 5 years ago that I got back into photography. I started back in food photography but then quickly turned to do candid portrait photos of people on the streets (specifically on food trucks). I found nightlife photography the most creative and provided an excellent environment for the images I wanted to capture and create. I spent a reasonable amount of time roaming the streets of Denver, capturing its different nightlife while adding my own “Neo Tokyo” vibes to the image.
After seeing the type of photos I captured, my buddies Josh Herman and Brandon Eden, who are tattoo artists in Denver & LA (@joshhermantattoo & @purusha_tattoo1008), asked me to sit in on their tattoo sessions and snap some photos of them at work. After seeing our work together and the images I was able to capture, I knew I had found the photography niche I wanted to sit in. Taking candid portrait photos of tattoo artists while they are at work was what I wanted to specialize in. As someone who has been tattooed for the past 11 years, I knew I could be someone who could capture them and present them in a photo in the best possible way.
My company, Shots By Squints, aims to provide candid portrait images to tattoo artists looking to promote more than just their artwork. Tattoo artists are Artists and deserve to be shown off in such a way. My goal is to tell a story of whatever artist I am working with from the start of the sketch to the end of the tattoo. The images I provide help tell a story about the artist and the story behind their art.
Portrait photography is not where I am stopping, though. I am currently working on obtaining my Part 107 drone pilot certification and my remote pilot certification. I aim to expand my business and take on other forms of photography, such as real estate, architectural photography, and videography.
Is there a particular goal or mission driving your creative journey?
I’ve been pursuing photography for years, and it has been one of the most fulfilling experiences of my life. I’ve learned so much about the world and myself through the lens of my camera. And now, I want to inspire other photographers to take up the art form and discover the beauty and meaning behind every shot.
Photography can be a powerful tool for self-expression and storytelling. It lets us capture moments and emotions that might go unnoticed or forgotten. It’s a way to freeze time and preserve memories that we can revisit time and time.
Through my work, I encourage others to explore their creativity and find their voice in photography. Whether you’re just starting or have been shooting for years, there’s always something new to learn and discover
What’s the most rewarding aspect of being a creative in your experience?
The most rewarding aspect of being an artist or creative is the ability to bring something unique and meaningful to life. Whether through photography, videography, painting, music, or any other medium, there’s something extraordinary about expressing yourself in a way that resonates with others. Additionally, the creative process itself can be incredibly satisfying. There’s nothing quite like getting lost in your work and watching it come together in a way you never could have imagined. Of course, some challenges accompany pursuing a creative career, but the rewards are worth it. 
Contact Info:
- Website: shotsbysquints.squarespace.com
- Instagram: @shotsbysquints
- Twitter: shotsbysquints
Image Credits
Gian Karle and Arlo DiCristina photos