About Dean

Dean Dampney. Documentary Photo Artist. Ocean Diviner

With a second hand rangefinder stuffed too quickly with whatever roll of black and white film Dean’s ‘real photographer’ friend’s may have flicked him, Dean came to make his way in the world with camera and eye pointed casually towards the sea. Even more so than the glorious forms of ground swells against offshore winds, Dean has always been most intent on capturing the connection between those alongside him and the ocean that’s called conjoined them in spirt, adventure and quests for deep surrender.

From The North Shore, Oaha, Hawaii, to the Basque Country, from West Oz to the South Coast of New South Wales Australia, and most patches of Indian, Pacific, and Atlantic Oceans in-between, that beat up little camera has become an energy capsule for big peaceful expressions of wonderment and stoke. That’s what Dean’s photography is about. It’s felt and transmitted from source to receiver.

Less meaningful reflections have come through Dean’s more formal accolades; three times selected Moran Photographic Prize finalist, twice named Australia’s number one Wedding Photojournalist, Olive Cotton Prize Finalist, Australian National Portraiture Prize Selected Finalist, ten solo exhibitions, and even more group shows around the world. Dean has photographed as a Photojournalist, Documentary Photographer, and Portrait Photographer, for Australia’s leading newspaper mastheads, and magazines. 

For Dean, bringing human connection and environmental awareness, with the essence of beauty and joy, is his most valued photographic priority. Dean is intent on stamping a legacy of this message for his three sons, and for all that will be inheriting the responsibility to represent ourselves with nature in our most respectful and wholesome endeavour.