Damien Carney a photographer and hairstylist for over 20 years, was a finalist for the prestigious AIPP Coiffure Hairdressing awards in Paris, as well as the winner of the British Hairdressing Award, “Men’s Hairdresser of the Year.” He has collaborated with photographers such as Gilles Bensimon, Ellen von Unwerth, Norman Watson, Rankin, and David Shipper. He also worked for publications such as: Elle, Harper’s Bazaar, Marie Claire, W, Cosmopolitan, and GQ.

Skin Hydrate and prep with @obaloil . Color correct with @makeupforever HD Foundation Sticks in Y365 and Y445. Eyes Define the outer corner of the eyes by using @makeupforever eye pencil in Aqua Resist in 5 Bronzed to create a smudged wing tip. Add … — Skin
Hydrate and prep with @obaloil . Color correct with @makeupforever HD Foundation Sticks in
Y365 and Y445.
Eyes
Define the outer corner of the eyes by using @makeupforever eye pencil in Aqua Resist in 5 Bronzed to create a smudged wing tip. Add shine with @tomforbeauty Lip Blush for a sultry pink stain. Use Chanel.Beauty mascara in Volume De Chanel in 10 Noir
Brows
@anastasiabeverlyhills Brow Powder Duo in Medium Brown
Cheeks
Contour with @ctilburymakeup Air Brush Bronzer 3/ Tan. Use @tomforbeauty Skin Illuminating Powder Duo in Moonlight to add glow to the skin. Add a touch of pink to the apples of the cheeks with @makeupforever Blush B 216 in Fuchsia.
Lips
Create a bold red lip with @tomforbeauty Lip Color Satin Matte Shanghai Lily
Modern 90s

Left: Skin Hydrate and prep with @obaloil . Color correct with @makeupforever HD Foundation Sticks in Y365 and Y445. Eyes Use @makeupforever eyeshadow in M 100 in black to create a heavy crease contour. Use a Qtip with a little Makeup remover to cut… — **Left:**
Skin
Hydrate and prep with @obaloil . Color correct with @makeupforever HD Foundation Sticks in
Y365 and Y445.
Eyes
Use @makeupforever eyeshadow in M 100 in black to create a heavy crease contour. Use a Qtip with a little Makeup remover to cut into the crease removing the shadow to create a dashed effect. Use @maccosmetics eye liner in Feline on the inner corners fading out toward the temples creating a soft wing tip. Line the water line with the same pencil to intensify the shape. @chanel.beauty mascara in Volume De Chanel in 10 Noir.
Brows
@anastasiabeverlyhills Brow Powder Duo in Medium Brown
Cheeks
Contour with @ctilburymakeup Air Brush Bronzer 3/ Tan. Use @tomforbeauty Skin Illuminating Powder Duo in Moonlight to add glow to the skin.
Lips
Line and fill in the corners with @makeupforever Lip Liner in Chestnut. Fill in the lip with @maccosmetics Lip Liner Oak, blending into the Chestnut liner. Add some shine with your favorite lip moisturizer.
**Right:**
Skin
Hydrate and prep with @obaloil. Color correct with @makeupforever HD Foundation Sticks in
Y365 and Y445.
Eyes
Apply @makeupforever eyeshadow M 456 Dark Purple Taupe in the entire lid blending color into the crease fading up into the brows. Apply @makeupforever M 608 Red Brown to intensify the lash line blending into the lids. Softly dust the same shade along the lower lash line to define the eye shape. Apply @maccosmetics eyeliner in Costariche along the water line. Finish with @chanel.beauty mascara in Volume De Chanel in 10 Noir.
Brows
@anastasiabeverlyhills Brow Powder Duo in Medium Brown
Cheeks
Contour with @ctilburymakeup Air Brush Bronzer 3/ Tan. Add Glow with @tomforbeauty Skin Illuminating Powder Duo in Moonlight
Lips
@tomforbeauty Lip Blush for a sultry pink stain.

Skin Hydrate and prep with @obaloil. Color correct with @makeupforever HD Foundation Sticks in Y365 and Y445. Eyes Apply @makeupforever eyeshadow M 456 Dark Purple Taupe in the entire lid blending color into the crease fading up into the brows. Appl… — Skin
Hydrate and prep with @obaloil. Color correct with @makeupforever HD Foundation Sticks in
Y365 and Y445.
Eyes
Apply @makeupforever eyeshadow M 456 Dark Purple Taupe in the entire lid blending color into the crease fading up into the brows. Apply @makeupforever M 608 Red Brown to intensify the lash line blending into the lids. Softly dust the same shade along the lower lash line to define the eye shape. Apply @maccosmetics eyeliner in Costariche along the water line. Create a graphic red liner along the upper las line with @inglot_cosmetics Gel Liner in 79 (red). Finish with @chanel.beauty mascara in Volume De Chanel in 10 Noir.
Brows
@anastasiabeverlyhills Brow Powder Duo in Medium Brown
Cheeks
Contour with @ctilburymakeup Air Brush Bronzer 3/ Tan. Add Glow with @tomforbeauty Skin Illuminating Powder Duo in Moonlight. Add a touch of pink to the outer eyes, hairline and high cheek with @makeupforever Blush B 216 in Fuchsia.
Lips
@tomforbeauty Lip Blush for a sultry pink stain.
Plum lip, Rosy Cheeks, Smokey Eyes

How did you get started in hair styling and photography, and how did you know this is what you wanted to pursue?
I started my hairdressing career in London, where I worked at the Trevor Sorbie Salon in Covent Garden and where I did my training. The Trevor Sorbie Salon was an amazing experience—so much creative talent in one space. Most of the staff and team had an amazing experience in editorial, session work, runway, celebrities, and so on, and in working on clients every day. There were always artists, photographers, make-up artists, wardrobe stylists in and out of the salon working or collaborating with the team at the salon. There was this magnetic, exciting, creative energy all of the time. It all rubbed off on me, and that had a huge impact on my career. Photography is a serious passion of mine. It goes hand-in-hand with my hair vision and so much more. It just naturally happened. Thankfully with the support of a lot of my friends who are fashion, beauty photographers and who supported me along the way. I like to do both hair and photography. If it’s a personal project of mine I often do the hair and photography. I’m happy creating only the hair for shoots or only to be the photographer. I love that there are no limits. I really enjoy the creative side of hair and photography. It’s really all about having great teamwork: make up, hair, wardrobe, photography, and so on, all working towards creating striking imagery.

Your work has received many honors and accolades. What has been your favorite project to work on?
I enjoy the Avant Garde, creative side of hair and photography. However, on the other hand, I like it all natural, simple and raw. I like to push my personal boundaries and try new things. Even if it doesn’t work, I’m flattered with the honors and accolades, but that doesn’t always drive me. My favorite projects, shoots, are driven by the team I’m working with. In this feature the MUA, Walter Orbal worked his magic. He had an idea and a model; we got together and developed a great shoot. Walters’ make-up is flawless, the blending, the lines is perfectly executed. I’ve been working a lot with MUA, Joanne Gair. I love every shoot we have done together. Joanne has done it all. All of her work stands out. So many amazing iconic images. I always enjoy working on projects with Nikko Kefalas, wardrobe stylist and creative director. He has always had a fresh perspective on fashion and beauty. Nikko pulls the entire shoot and vision together--such a great learning experience for me.

Your hairstyling is truly an art form. Please describe your creative process.
Sometimes I’ll have an idea of my own and that comes to life. Sometimes a make-up artist or wardrobe stylist will present an idea or concept to me. And there are times when I’m brain dead, and nothing creative comes out. I never force my hair and photography concepts. I have to be in the mood, with the right team, to be inspired to develop a concept or shoot. I’m in it 100% or not all. Some concepts come to life while some get trashed. When I do have a concept, mine or not. I plan the concept out, map it out in stages. How will it look and feel.? What tools, ideas do I need to make that concept reality? I think of concepts as a journey or storytelling. I start working loosely, playing with the ideas. How it will work, when photographed, what about make up, what about wardrobe, and what about the model. I’ll work, play, and “test” out different hair ideas based on the concept. It could the models own real hair, wigs, etc. And take it from there. The same for the photography, what will that look like, what’s the mood, vibe, and message. I believe in playing with lots of ideas and then evaluating which idea or concept works best with the team. Nothing is off limits. And most importantly the model, who brings the idea to life. Choosing the right model is the make or break. During the development stage, I’ll document my progress by taking shots to see how it all looks and adjust any hair or photography as needed. That way I know I’m on the right track and it all makes sense. I don’t nail myself to a concept in development. when possible. If it’s not working as I imagined, I’ll go in a slightly different direction. My best work is when it’s not too controlled, thought out, calculated. Just go with the flow, trust your instincts.

How was it to work with Trevor Sorbie? What was the best piece of advice he gave you?
Trevor is an incredible hairdresser. His work and creativity are well respected by hairdressers worldwide. He loves hair, especially hair on the creative side. His work has a unique look and feel. He’s one of a kind. He is technically and creatively balanced, a superb artist. No one else has that creative edge when it comes to hair.

Advice from Trevor: Love what you're doing, Stand out from the crowd and only produce excellent work consistently, time after time. Be open minded to new ideas, stay current. Be humble.

What has been the most rewarding aspect of launching Damien Carney London?
Being independent, working for myself, has been extremely rewarding. I can navigate what I want to do and what I don’t want to do. Discovering myself, my values, and who I really want to be and where I want to be. Damien Carney London focuses on the things I genuinely love—hair and photography. I’ve travelled the world and have met incredible people, and have had unforgettable, wonderful life changing experiences. I’ve always been open minded and happy to try things that are new or different for me. That allows me to see the world with a different attitude and point of view. I’m lucky I chose a career that I love.

What advice would you give to aspiring artists?
Be clear about what you want from your life, career, whom you want to be, and how you will get there. Have a strategy, plan of action, goals. If things don’t work according to your plan, it wasn’t meant to be. Try again until you succeed. Surround yourself with the best of the best. Love what you do. Be positive at all times, no matter what. Everything else will fall into place.

How do you balance your career as a hairstylist, photographer, and educator? Do you focus on one aspect at a time or are they all intertwined?
Sometimes they're intertwined. For some projects, I’m an educator, a hair stylist, or a photographer. Sometimes I’m all three. It really depends on the project, client, and so on. I have to be careful that I don’t overstretch myself by doing too much at one time and diluting my energy and focus. Avoid overload! I wear different hats on different days. I love the freedom and the challenge each project presents

What is next for you? What do you hope to achieve in the near future?
I’m really happy and enjoying my career path at the moment and will continue as is. Let’s see what happens. There is nothing I would change. I’m loving the journey. I’m always learning new things, ideas, and concepts. It’s important to push oneself. I want to challenge myself and to take my work to the next level. More beauty, more fashion. Anything that gets me excited and gets the creative juices flowing. I’m so thrilled to be surrounded with artists who have been incredibly supportive in my personal growth and development. I can’t ask for anything more.

What is your life motto?
Live life to the fullest. Be happy. Love what you do. Everything else falls into place.

What are your socials?
IG: damiencarneypro
FB: damiencarpeyprofessional
Website: www.damiencarney.com

CREW CREDITS:
Photographer: Damien Carney
Model: Briana Browne at Marilyn Agency NY
Hair: Damien Carney
Makeup: Walter Obal at The Wall Group
Interview: Alison Hernon, Editor-In-Chief, PhotoBook Magazine &
Olive Zucchi, Contributor, PhotoBook Magazine
Tearsheets: Caitriona Moran, Contributor, PhotoBook Magazine

Damien Carney

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