Golden Time with Executive Producer Damon Webster
So when you think about Damon Webster, which Damon are you referring to? The veteran agency producer who’s run production departments, won awards and shot all over the world? The bi-coastal collector of fine art photography, who’s likely got more precious prints lying around his apartment than you can find at George Eastman’s house? The peripatetic New York street photographer, whose images of the Big Apple can rival Vivian Maier? The guy who’s snapped more celebs than the best TikTok influencer half his age? Or the one whose camera often brings him up close to the leader of the Roman Catholic Archdioceses of New York?"
They’re all wrapped up in one package when you talk about Damon. He’s what you expect from a savvy producer: an inquisitive problem solver and storyteller with a sharp eye for talent, a deep understanding of composition and an intuitive sense for the human spirit.
We caught up with him recently between early morning screenings and museum strolls to find out how he likes to spend his Golden Time. Read on to learn more.
Where do you live? What do you like best about where you live?
Damon: I live in Hell’s Kitchen, and I love the access to the entire city from this one location. Being able to walk five blocks to MoMA, or get to any agency in the city with subways within blocks, feeds my business needs and my curious needs – plus the food choices in Hell’s Kitchen are spectacular!
Briefly tell us how you got into the business. And how long have you been in your current role?
Damon: I knocked on the right door. I was buying lights from a tiny production company after college, and offered up my services as a PA. After they hired me, I was a PA for all of 15 minutes, and they then taught me how to bid jobs. After 10 years on the production side, I moved to the agency side for a smoother arc of projects. I became a Director of Advertising Production in the late 90’s, and now I flow between gigs.
How often do you end up working on the weekend?
Damon: I don’t really believe in weekends, as it all blends. I’m a 24/7 producer, and take the time to do other things when I can.
What’s your favorite weekend decompression activity?
Damon: Early morning movies at a theater, or a walk through a museum, like MoMA. Storytelling is important, and when the lights go down, having a film wash over me takes me away. Museums are just inspiring, without any other agenda. MoMA for me is like Disneyland: the happiest place on earth.
How much time do you spend on your phone/tablet/laptop on a typical weekend?
Damon: TBH, every morning I send out birthday greetings, check email, and do Wordle, all in about 20 minutes. The phone is at hand for social posts, and any business needs, but not glued to my hand. Of course, my watch alerts me to important stuff. Like if my daughter is calling.
So what have you been watching lately?
Damon: Movies vary from “Bob Trevino Likes It,” new directors’ films, IMAX movies for the popcorn. On TV, it’s “Bosch,” “Reacher,” news, “The Pitt.” Don’t like watching movies at home, as there are too many distractions, and I give in to them. That’s why theaters are my place to be.
What do you listen to? What’s on your playlist?
Damon: Very eclectic mix: Dylan has re-emerged as algorithms send it to me. Also Miles Davis, Wet Leg, YUNGBLUD, Talking Heads, Patti Smith, Elvis Costello, Motown, one hit wonders from various decades. With Coachella I watch on YT for groups I never heard of and discover new sounds.
Best weekend live experience of the past year: concert, sporting event, gallery visit, movie?
Damon: One thing that was new and different this year was photographing Palm Sunday (that’s on the weekend , right?) and other events for St. Patrick’s Cathedral. They’ve had me back to photograph more events, and it’s a pleasure. Cardinal Dolan is a good guy.
Other than that, I can’t call out just one experience, as living in NYC has so much going on all the time, there is no FOMO. That may sound trite, but it’s true.
Tell us about Photoinduced.com.
Damon: After I left Saatchi & Saatchi in ‘04, I conceived Photoinduced as a website with a social media component and VOD for the photo and video market. With the design help of The Barbarian Group, it went live in 2005, and continues to this day. There is a companion YT channel live since 2006, a robust following on X, and now the IG accounts feed it all.
I’ve been interviewing people for NatGeo, Disney, Netflix, and Hulu, as an added gig, as well as interviewing luminaries in the world of photography. And in 2023 I published “Curious Tourist,” my first book of photography. A new project is in the works now.
Basically, I just keep going, creating and staying curious. I feel it all brings what I do for a living into a fuller platform.
