Deon Hinton Explores His New Nomadic Normal
Travel is innate to us all. Dating all the way back to the beginning of history, the spirit of wanderlust has powered our desire to seek out the unknown and forge trailblazing narratives. As the forebear of modern travel, Samsonite champions the new-age nomads as they carry on the generational pursuit of global exploration. With precious cargo in tow, the inimitable travel brand and Highsnobiety tag along on a trip with an ascending creative mind to take a peek into the life of the contemporary traveler.
In today’s society, no one wants to be labeled.
Photographer. Writer. Art Director. Content Creator. For me, these different facets of my artistry come together like puzzle pieces, culminating in the larger picture that makes up my identity. It makes up who I am as an artist, friend, and human being. And this life in constant motion is the muse that influences how I approach each art form. It’s what allows me to hold a lens that distills moments of the ever-changing world that surrounds me. No city is the same; no experience is the same. This is what reinvigorates my creativity.
Since the age of nine, I’ve always found comfort through expressions of art, not knowing it would lead to me where I am today. Growing up in a small town in Arkansas—a state many deem so insignificant they can’t even place it on a map—I wasn’t afforded the ability to experience different aspects of the world that would heighten my artistic sensibilities. I hadn’t even traveled outside the United States until much later in my adolescence. It was only through fashion and art that an entirely new set of possibilities were unlocked. I still remember my first time traveling to Paris, aimlessly wandering the streets of a place that only seemed accessible through a TV screen. This experience was one of the very first moments I recall actually understanding the true power of travel and the impact it could have on my work. It was after this that I began to prioritize immersive travel experiences over fleeting materials and possessions.
I find that my viewpoint on the expansive craft of photography always shifts, especially when stepping foot in a new country or engaging with a different culture for the first time. I get so inspired when “my world” intersects with the world around it. As nuanced as it may sound, I like to think of myself as a student of life, with each trip adding another chapter to my growing almanac of adventures.
In late July of this year, I went to Dakar, Senegal, and it was probably the most culturally rich experience I’ve had to date. There was such a pronounced energy of community and vibrancy that simply has not been replicated elsewhere during my time abroad. Traveling alone to the Senegalese capital offered me time and space to really reconnect with my roots and the reasons I fell in love with photography. There’s a healing comfort to solo travel; it forces you to be in tune with your innermost feelings, along with your surroundings. I left Dakar with a renewed sense of self and excitement for the craft.
My repertoire as a creative continues to expand and enter new territories like furniture design and fashion design, but I’m always drawn back to photography. This medium lends itself naturally to an exploratory existence. On this journey, as I continue to check various cities and countries off my list, I always make sure to take a few snaps in commemoration. I’m constantly moved by the subject matter of each place, the different paces, and the customs and traditions that make the environments unique.
This nomadic lifestyle comes with its own set of challenges, too. It’s beyond just capturing a beautiful photo. It’s about capturing a moment in time, the energy that fills a room, the words that were spoken––and sometimes the ones that weren’t. Traveling is not only the lifeline for my artistic prowess but it’s become essential to my business. Still, gratitude lines each adventure I take, and I look forward to the point in time when I can reflect on these defining moments that have shaped me as an artist.
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