Meet Devin Desouza | Director/Photographer

We had the good fortune of connecting with Devin Desouza and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Devin, how do you think about risk?
Risk is a leap of faith. If you truly believe in yourself, you’ll do whatever it takes to get where you’re trying to go. It’s a bridge to newfound growth. Sometimes we live stagnant lives because it’s the safe thing to do. Our minds are trained to feel this way, but risk is where you allow yourself to be uncomfortable and have faith in yourself by taking initiative. Risk plays huge role in my life. I wouldn’t live in California or have this career without it. I moved out here with just enough money to pay rent and trusted in myself that I’ll make it work no matter what. I dropped out of school to pursue a lifestyle more suitable for me and I’m really lucky to have supportive people around me who believed in me along the way. Although it was a risk, it makes it a lot easier when you have a good foundation around you. Growing up, money wasn’t easy to come by in my family and it still isn’t. Leaving college in Texas to move to another state while being financially dependent on myself has been super risky but if you have the drive, you’ll make it work. It hasn’t been the easiest, but progression isn’t linear. I’m very proud of the risks I’ve taken in my life because I’m still so young and the world has so much left to offer me.

Let’s talk shop? Tell us more about your career, what can you share with our community?
I am Devin Desouza or DevinInANewDress, director photographer/artist from Arlington Texas now living in Los Angeles. My work is primarily conceptual, inspired by movies, music, and music videos. What sets me apart is the ability to really be in tune with what inspires me, recognize it and articulate/express it in a way that adds to another branch of art. We are extensions of something that influences us whether we know it or not. I think I’m most proud that I am genuinely a fan of my art. I’m super confident in my body of work and whenever people are blown away from seeing my photos/films for the first time, it doesn’t really surprise me anymore. I’m proud of the effort and quality I get from what I put out thanks to my team. I am where I’m at today professionally through consistency and the will to want to be better. It wasn’t and move far from my friends and family. I feel like I’ve missed a lot of life experiences I wish I had with them chasing my career. Overcoming it has been difficult but surrounding myself with people I love out here has been really helpful. I think one of the biggest lessons I’ve learned on my journey is confidence. It’s really important to hype yourself up and make these moments throughout your journey special because nobody else will. Especially living out here in an oversaturated environment, it’s hard to stand out sometimes. None of that matters when you focus on being present in these special moments/steppingstones of your career.

If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?
I love to go to different parks/trails all over Los Angeles. Lake Balboa, Silverlake reservoir and the dog park there. Uba tuba has amazing acai bowls, parks finest is a Filipino BBQ fusion that is really good as well. Portos in Burbank is a really good bakery that I always take my friends to when they come here. In terms of night life, I like going bowling or roller skating specifically moonlight for skating.

Who else deserves some credit and recognition?
I want to extend this recognition to my family and friends and partner who love and support me. Special shoutout to Aarron Anderson, my friend back home in Texas who’s always been so supportive but also gave the tools I needed to succeed. I learned a lot through him about the basics of film and photography, truly wouldn’t be where I’m at without their mentorship. In addition, XAVIERLUGGAGE who inspired me style wise. Their uniqueness has influenced so many photographers in the scene all over the world, including myself.

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/devininanewdress/

Twitter: https://twitter.com/DevinsNewDress

Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@DevinDesouza

Other: other instagram: @ devindesouzaa

Image Credits
* Names will be instagram @’s * image 1: model/sfx mua – Logan Wiggins light assist: Garrettsarchive style assist: Fiona Rynders Photo 2: Director/lead – Kali.mahogany cast – theealmightyjp earveesdream pdrizzzzle sfx – willschy photo 3: models – saraatakenaka canicopythis photo 4: digital sfx – bymikeego hair – ziredreams stylist – oddkevin light assist – garrettsarchive & xavierluggage studio – pinkbox.studio graphics – jordymrtz photo 5: models – earveesdream bish.op