Emotion-filled art is how Deja Goode refers to her photography. She’s not just focused on taking a photo; she’s creating and expressing a moment, according to Goode.
“I hope my [viewers] experience mystery, along with confusion, while being intrigued all at the same time,” Goode said. “Photography is not just taking a picture, it’s actually capturing memories.”
For Goode, it’s important to surround herself with positive energy and people who are engaged in their life and their process.
“You need to meet people who are moving in the same direction as you. If they aren’t doing something, then I can’t really waste my time,” Goode said. “I am busy trying to progress.”
Networking is incredibly important to Goode. As a Ponitz Career Technology Center graduate and now a Sinclair student focusing on photography technology, she has developed a connection with people, while also learning about herself and finding inspiration along the way.
“Looking at people and what they do and how they make their art, or even just looking at people gives me inspiration,” Goode said. “I look up to a lot of different photographers and pull different inspirations, but I don’t have a specific idol.”
Art is a way for Goode to express herself. Her favorite type of art is photography, but she said she enjoys all other mediums of art.
“I feel like art is the most valuable tool in self expression,” Goode said. “Photography is my specialty.”
Although capturing life through photos is her favorite, she finds herself in love with other forms of art and spends her time exploring different mediums, according to Goode.
“I have been writing poetry since elementary. I write about my feelings,” Goode said. “I really like focusing on real world topics, such as sappy love stuff or things about our society and culture.”
Her photography takes on similar subject matters as her poetry, according to Goode. Although she gets a lot of requests to take photos of events, her favorite subject is people and culture.
“I mainly focus on people. When you work with a certain person, you get to know them,” Goode said. “I love beautiful people. I love working with the human form—even sometimes nudity. Some people think it’s weird or they will take it in a sexual way, but it’s not in that way at all. The human form is art itself.”
Goode said she loves capturing candid moments. She tends to give her model a general direction and idea of the goal of the photo-shoot and then she gives them the freedom to pose how they would like. She said it’s important for her models to feel comfortable and natural, and who are able to go with the flow.
Goode said her parents have always supported her in her goals and dreams, but they aren’t the “artsy” type of people. She said the way she grew up and how she operates now is based on “going out there and getting it,” which gives her motivation to continue her dream of becoming a successful photographer.
“My big time goal is to shoot the cover of Vogue, but a more realistic goal is to have my photography off the ground so I can support myself and not have to work for anyone,” Goode said.
Goode was chosen to participate in a show in Columbus called Raw Artists, an “independent arts organization for artists by artists.” It’s about artists who push the envelope in their medium of art, including fashion, music, makeup artistry, painting, photography and videography.
“I sent some pictures in and a lady called me and told me I was accepted,” Goode said. “There will be a bunch of performers and art, along with a fashion show. It will be my first show in Columbus and I’m really excited to show my work.”
The Raw Artists show will be held at Shadowbox Live from 7:00 p.m. to 11:00 in Columbus on June 30. For more information, visit www.rawartist.org.
Gabrielle Sharp
Executive Editor