Gene Dominique lives and practices art in Oakland, CA. He exhibits at galleries and art spaces around the San Francisco Bay Area. He earned a degree in photojournalism at San Jose State University and law degree from UC Hastings College. After practicing law for thirty years, he returned to his life-long passion: a full-time art practice centered in photography.
Gene's explorations in photography include a deep dive into a variety of genres from documentary, abstract and still-life to portraiture. Gene's work includes the documentary series, Still Here – African American Farmers in the 21st Century, which is a study of the contemporary life of Black farmers in the United States.
Volunteerism is an important element in Gene's art practice. In 2016 he founded CameraAngels, a donation program through which he solicits used cameras and related gear for under-served young people. In addition, Gene is on the board of directors of San Francisco Camerawork and the Bay Area Photographers Collective.
About his work, Gene says “photography has always been an eclectic affair, driven more by organic inspiration and experimentation as opposed to adherence to a particular school or style. The images I create are the manifestation of what I find interesting, exciting and personally rewarding in the moment. Two quotes epitomize my thinking and thus my approach to photography. “
The photojournalist Gordon Parks said, “You know, the camera is not meant just to show misery. You can show things that you like about the universe, things that you hate about the universe. It's capable of doing both.” And about the magic of the craft, the critic John Berger noted “what makes photography a strange invention is that its primary raw materials are light and time.”