05. 29. 24 | STORIES

SAM DAMESHEK - FRAME OF REFERENCE 010

Meet Sam Dameshek.

...If you haven’t already. Native to Laguna Beach, Sam grew up patrolling the streets and beaches, a naive yet ambitious kid. Found parked at Thalia all summer or when the tide was low, flying down Park Avenue on four wheels and grip tape. Always in hand was a camera or GoPro, where he documented his cast of characters. Whether through osmosis or intention, Sam developed a natural eye and technical skill with photography that would propel him to a career in art direction.

I had the opportunity to sit down with Sam to discuss his upbringing in Laguna Beach, his career culmination in Los Angeles, the lessons learned through travel and the overall learnings and unlearnings of youth. Throughout his young career, Sam has been apart of numerous brand campaigns, garnered billboards in most major cities and alongside a friend, created his own apparel brand WISH ME LUCK.

Most recently, Sam finished his second book, RECOMMENCER, which is available now for presale. For now, enjoy the hors d'oeuvres of imagery and find the rest of the meal at booksbysd.com.

Learn more about RECOMMENCER here.

Q: Tell us about your book, Recommencer. In what ways has this been a departure from California and swan dive into the unknown?

“A lot of my work is this warm tone, sun-soaked, beach and vintage inspired—which is awesome... f*ck yeah I’m from Laguna, I grew up here and I loved it. But, I think metaphorically, this was more of a departure from the constructs I had created in my head. I wanted a new chapter — to be a kid again, and pick up the camera and press the button at whatever caught my eye. I think the timeless aspects of California go hand-in-hand with that of the coastal parts of Europe, and that influence allowed me to feel inspired.”

Q: What’s something you would tell that 15-year old kid who first picked up a camera in Laguna Beach?

“Don’t be afraid to be honest. I love exciting other people, and I used to be ashamed to admit it. The praise, the attention — it has such a negative connotation. But in reality, it’s a source of inspiration for me...to get to see the reaction of the subject and make them feel like the star. That honesty with myself has been the derivative of my confidence as a person and an artist.