In Conversation with Audrey Damier

Audrey or Drey, is a French-born photographer, producer, and director whose creative journey began

in the outskirts of Paris and is now growing in South East London. Her background in journalism

shaped my approach to visual storytelling, grounding her work in authenticity, representation, and

intentional narrative-building.

Through both still and moving images, she aims to honour community, identity, and human connection. Her standout project, "Can a Brother Get Some Peace?", is a short film she directed and produced, later

expanded into a month-long exhibition that blended film and photography. The project reflects her

commitment to elevating Black voices and preserving real stories with care.

ourppls caught up with Audrey Damier to talk about her journey, creativity, community, and what inspires her work.

Can you share the moment or experience that sparked your journey into this work?

This is always a hard question because my journey wasn’t a single moment. It was a collection of

choices and instincts. I’ve always been drawn to storytelling. As a kid, I wanted to be a writer. As a

teenager, I turned to journalism for the same reason: to tell people’s stories with intention.

Producing came naturally later on. People have always seen me as reliable, and while I was building

myself as a photographer, I kept ending up coordinating creative projects without even realising it.

Producing also aligns with my core ambition: taking control of the narrative. Producers are

decision-makers. They shape what stories get told and how.

Everything I do is rooted in elevating voices that deserve to be heard. In a way, picking up the camera

was my way of reclaiming what journalism promised but didn’t deliver. Visual work freed me from strict

editorial lines and allowed me to capture stories on my own terms.

What’s one thing people don’t always see about what you do?

People often don’t realise how much of my work happens behind the scenes. As a director, producer,

and photographer, I’m rarely the face of the work. I’m the person behind the lens, behind the planning,

behind the structure that allows others to shine.

I love that role, but it can be strange when the recognition doesn’t always reach you, especially in a

digital age where images travel without credit. That’s why I sat on Can a Brother Get Some Peace?

for a while before releasing it. Once the work is out there, it’s no longer yours and I never want my

projects to be reduced to “content.”

I care deeply about intention, authorship, and context, even if most of that remains invisible to the

public.

Who or what keeps you and your team inspired when the work feels heavy or resources are low?

Building a name for yourself can feel overwhelming, but the people around me keep me grounded. I

thrive off healthy competition. The kind that pushes you to level up because someone you admire is

doing great work. Most of what I’ve accomplished is because someone inspired me to go harder.

My community pours into me as much as I pour into them. With Can a Brother Get Some Peace?, I

was able to give opportunities to others as a producer, and in return, they poured back into me as a

director. People keep asking, “What’s next?” because they believe in my vision, and that belief is

incredibly motivating.

I used to think I had to do everything alone (maybe that’s the eldest daughter syndrome), but I’m

learning to ask for support. And when I do, people show up.

As for resources, I always trust that God will provide, especially in this unpredictable London

economy. A strong support system and a bit of faith go a long way.

Do you have any upcoming events you'd like us to mention?

I don’t have any events or exhibitions scheduled at the moment, but I’d love to invite anyone reading

this to watch Can a Brother Get Some Peace? It’s now available online. If you want a true sense of

my practice, my influences, and my ethos, this film is the clearest reflection of who I am as a creative.

I also recently completed a photo series titled They Don’t See Us for Peckham Festival. It was a very

last-minute project, but it sparked so many ideas for where I want to take my photography next year.

I’ve even been asked to sell some prints, so I’m hoping to put that in motion soon.

Looking ahead, I’m aiming to secure funding for Can a Sister Get Some Peace?, the next instalment

in the project and something I’m really excited to develop further.

Audrey’s creative vision reaches far beyond the lens, her work is a testament to community, healing, and truth-telling. She builds powerful narratives that honor lived experiences often overlooked. She creates space for Black men and boys to be seen in their vulnerability, complexity, and humanity. She gives voice to a community fighting for recognition, validating stories too often dismissed. Whether she’s organizing community-centered events or producing collaborative shoots, Audrey’s art is an ongoing commitment to uplift, represent, and connect. Her work doesn’t just document us, it strengthens us, reminding the community of its resilience, beauty, and collective power.

Follow Audrey on Instagram @shotby.drey