Meet Ivy Dominique J | Photographer & Model

We had the good fortune of connecting with Ivy Dominique J and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Ivy, what role has risk played in your life or career?
I love taking risks. All I’ve done for the past 3 years is take risks. I’m taking a huge one next year. I think we need it to fuel that fire underneath us. What else to keep us motivated other than not knowing where we’ll end up. You really just have to keep going. I’ve learned to pivot instead of accepting failure and it’s make me successful. Risk brought me to LA and there’s so much I would have never experienced if I hadn’t come here. I think if you’re debating on whether or not you should do ‘that thing’, whatever it is.. you should absolutely do it. Wouldn’t you rather say you did it then look back in a few years wishing you’d started earlier?

Can you open up a bit about your work and career? We’re big fans and we’d love for our community to learn more about your work.
I’m a creative portrait photographer. I think what sets me apart from others is that I’m willing to own my mistakes, but I’m also quick to jump at my own success. I’m relatively new to what I’m doing but I love meeting new people and networking. I’ve met most of my contacts through reaching out to them directly and I love connecting artists that may not know each other, yet. I’ve been able to make connections that brought me all types of creatives I get to work with. It is easy. Being real and authentically yourself is the best way to move. People like honesty and creatives want to create. I think if you’re true to yourself and moving in the direction you’re meant to be going in it’s going to flow more than if you’re not. The only barriers are ones I create in my mind, that’s the biggest battle.. the mental one. I’ve learned you have to be your own fan because no one else is dragging you along to make your dreams come true.

I want people to get in front of my camera and feel confident, secure and trust that I am willing to make something beautiful with them. And I’ve had more opportunities to do that this year than I could have expected.

Let’s say your best friend was visiting the area and you wanted to show them the best time ever. Where would you take them? Give us a little itinerary – say it was a week long trip, where would you eat, drink, visit, hang out, etc.
If my best friend was here right now we’d be outside. To start we’d catch up at Millie’s in Pasadena and set out on a hike.. Runyon, the Hollywood sign, Eaton canyon. I’m not much of a social butterfly outside of creative projects but we’d probably go to Creamo in Silverlake, then to Echo Park. I’d definitely want her to meet all the amazing people I’ve met over a dinner. Probably Aikan all you can eat Sushi in Pasadena. And with all of our extra time we’d be in San Diego, our original stomping grounds, where we met. A picnic at Kate Sessions park would be a must, and visiting sunset cliffs before I long drive to nowhere.

Shoutout is all about shouting out others who you feel deserve additional recognition and exposure. Who would you like to shoutout?
I’ve met so many amazing people this year alone. I’m extremely thankful for my supportive partner. Thank you for letting me buy a camera instead of a couch, thanks for being my biggest fan. Natalie for being so raw and vulnerable and inspirational from a distance. I love your work and I love how you bring confidence with you into a shoot, I aspire to be like that, and you made me make the jump! The defining decade, a must read for those in our 20’s. Reminded me to stop living outside of what I want to be doing to stay underemployed. & God for always being my guiding light.

Instagram: @Depictedarts

Image Credits
My picture on the box was taken by @picsbystos or Christos Watson on Instagram. Everything else was taken by me