SERENDIPITY
— and —
THE BEAUTIFUL TRUTH IN BEING
That's the poetic, esoteric, and wistful tag line.
I'm a Documentary Photo Artist. Other aspects of me include; laid back, romantic, philosopher, social scientist, artist, rebel and free thinker.
I'm naturally drawn to joyful moments typically involving free spirits and the beautiful environment of South Coast New South Wales - specifically in the Milton Mollymook Ulladulla area to Lake Tabourie and Bawley Point. I've dedicated my life to photographically capturing these moments with an artful eye in an unobtrusive manner. Drawn to soft light and elevated spirit, I immerse myself in photographically celebrating what matters.
{Dean Dampney - Philosopher - Light Seeker}
Awards
2016. Moran Photographic Portraiture Prize. Selected Finalist.
2015. Leading Australian Wedding Photojournalist. The International Wedding Photojournalist Association (WPJA).
2014. National Photographic Portrait Prize. Selected Finalist.
2013. Moran Photographic Portraiture Prize. Selected Semi Finalist.
2013. Olive Cotton Photographic Portraiture Prize. Selected Finalist.
2013. Fremantle Portraiture Prize. Shortlisted Finalist.
2012. Fremantle Portraiture Prize. Selected Finalist.
2011. Moran Contemporary Photographic Prize. Highly Commended Selected Finalist.
2010. Reportage, Australias most presitigous showcase of documentary photography and photojournalism. Selected Finalist.
2010. Moran Contemporary Photographic Prize. Selected semi-finalist.
2010. Finalist Australia's Top Photographers. Weddings.
2010. Finalist Living Australian Online Photography Competition.
2010. 4th Annual Photography Masters Cup. Nominee People Category.
2009. 3XSilver Awards. Canon Australian Professional Photography Awards.
2009. Black & White Spider Awards. Nominee.
2009. International Aperture Awards. Bronze Award.
2009. Head On Photographic Portraiture Prize. Shortlisted Finalist.
2008. International Aperture Awards. Bronze Award.
2008. Roving Eye Expose Your World Competition. Selected Finalist.
2008. 2XSilver Awards. Canon Australian Professional Photography Awards.
2008. AIPP ACT Commercial Photographer of the Year Runner Up.
2008. AIPP ACT Wedding Photographer of the Year.
2008. AIPP ACT Highest Scoring Print Runner Up.
2008. Black & White Spider Awards. Nominee.
2008. Semi Finalist Moran Contemporary Photography Prize.
2008. Finalist Stanthorpe Art Prize. Stanthorpe Gallery, Queensland.
2007. Finalist Moran Contemporary Photography Prize.
2007. Finalist Roving Eye Expose Your World Competition.
2006. ACMP (Australian Commercial Magazine Photographers) Trampoline Finalist. Recognition for outstanding emerging commercial photographers and photo-artists.
2002. 3rd Commonwealth Photographic Awards. Highly Commended. Judged by Ray Lowe, President of British Institute of Professional Photography, Tim page, veteran war photographer, and Fernando Calvacanti, photographer with The Sunday Times, London.
2001. Finalist Nikon ACP Student of the year award.
Solo Exhibitions
2012. 'Surfer'. Head On Photo Festival Sel et Poivre, Darlinghurst.
2011. 'Surfer'. Pilgrims Wholefood Cafe, Milton.
2011. 'From Innocence and Back'. Alley Gallery, Ulladulla.
2010. From Innocence and Back'. Foto Freo. Early Work Gallery, Fremantle.
2009. 'Dean Dampney 2000-2009'. Coast Gallery, Milton.
2006. ‘Basking in Surrender’. December. Clifton School of Art.
2004. ‘Days Down Here’. Blender Gallery (Sydney).
2003. ‘InGoesWaterBoy’. Blender Gallery (Sydney).
2002. ‘Picture Paintings’. Love Gallery (Sydney).
2001. ‘25000km35mm’. Wadi Gallery (Sydney).
Selected Group Exhibitions
2015. There’s Something In The Water. Blanc Space Gallery. Ulladulla NSW.
2011. Centenary of Australian Surfing Photography Exhibition. Yamba NSW.
2008 April.. Art 4 Aid, Ringwood, East Victoria.
2008 April..Kodak Salon, Contemporary Centre for Photography, Melbourne Victoria.
2007 February. Moran Contemporary Photographic Prize. State Library NSW.
2007August. Wollongong City Gallery Portraiture Prize. Wollongong NSW.
2006 May. ‘Projections’. ACMP Trampoline’s 3rd Annual Photographic Screening. Selected Artists. Tom Mann Theatre Surry Hills.
2005 December. ‘Of This Place’. Group Exhibition. Precinct Galleries, Berry, NSW.
‘Five Vignettes’. Group Show. July 2005. Blender Gallery, Paddington, Sydney Australia. Photographers include: Marko Bok, Tamara Dean, Dean Sewell, and Lisa Wiltze.
2005 February. ‘When The World Said No To War’. Selected Artists. Works selected by Sandy Edwards (Stills Gallery) and Stephen Dupont (international photojournalist). Pine Street Gallery, Chippendale, NSW.
2004 October. ‘Site Sea’. Selected Artists. Tamarama Surf Club, Sydney Australia.
2004 September. The 2004 BHP Waltzing Matilda Photographic Competition and Exhibition. Selected Artists. Outback Regional Gallery, Waltzing Matilda Centre, Winton, Queensland.
2004 January. ‘Organic’. Group Exhibition. Blender Gallery, Paddington, Sydney Australia.
2003 November. Mac Cosmetics AIDS Charity Exhibition. Selected Artists. Sydney Australia.
2003 October. ‘Site Sea’. Selected Artists Group Exhibition. Tamarama Surf Club, Sydney Australia.
2003 October. 'Lomo Beyond What You See'. Selected Artists. Photo Technica, Sydney Australia.
2003 September. ‘Botanica'. Selected Artists. Flying Pig Precinct Gallery, Berry, Australia.
2003 April.‘Victoria’s Flowers’. Group Exhibition, Blender Gallery, Paddington.
2001 February. 3rd Commonwealth Broadcasting Association Photographic Awards international touring exhibition.
2001 August. Nikon Student of the Year Finalist Exhibition. Australian Centre of Photography.
Artist Grants
2006. Shoalhaven Council.
2006. Wollongong City Council.
Photography Workshops
2018. Documentary Photography Solo Workshop in conjunction with Milton Artfest.
2017. Documentary Photography Solo Workshop, in association with Cupitt Winery.
Director Positions
2013 to present. The Fire Pit Initiative, NSW Australia - Conference Director.
Artist Book
2006. Basking in Surrender. Edition of 100
Recent Publications