He studied architecture, then fell into photography. Four years on, Demas Rusli has 203k Instagram followers and a string of global commissions. His images depict epic landscapes and heroic solitary figures. Demas talks with Sparkkle about his brave new world.

WHAT KEEPS YOU GOING?

Creating new or unique perspectives of familiar places, as well as exploring the world through travel fascinates me. I think there is always something new to be discovered or created, whether it’s an original idea or a spin-off from somewhere else, you can always take things to another level. And I’m still just scratching the surface.

YOUR FIRST INFLUENCER COMMISSION?

It was 2016, a commission for Adidas for their NMD sneakers. They just approached me out of the blue. At the time I didn't understand about charging a rate, so I did the shoot and posted on my Instagram (promoting Adidas and the shoes) for a pair of shoes, no payment. Now I understand a lot more the value of social media and photography, but it was a steep learning curve. A few of the brands I’ve worked with are Samsung, Adobe, Adidas (still), Nike, Etihad Airways, Cathay Pacific, and Japan Tourism.

“... SO I DID THE ADIDAS SHOOT FOR NO FEE BUT A PAIR OF SHOES.”

HOW DID PHOTOGRAPHY HAPPEN FOR YOU?

In my second year of university, my cousin – a wedding photographer in Jakarta – had a client who wanted their pre-wedding photos taken in the Blue Mountains (west of Sydney). He didn’t know many people in Sydney and asked if I would help him with the shoot. I had no idea about photography, or how a camera worked, but I agreed to help. When I saw how happy he was taking photos, and how much joy he brought his clients at these epic locations. I took a few landscape snaps on my phone that day, and a week later bought my first entry-level DSLR.

WHAT ARE YOU EXPERIMENTING WITH?

Juggling my photography / social media commissions … and my design job. The goal for me is to keep creating good content and stay active on social media. I’ve started doing weekly editing tutorials on my Insta-stories, for anyone interested in how I create these images. And I’d like to do regular tutorials on YouTube.

HOW DID YOU FIND YOUR VOICE IN PHOTOGRAPHY?

For a couple of years it was a hobby, I was shooting as much as I could, mainly architecture/urban images, night time, landscapes – learning the digital settings on my Canon. Every day after work I would walk around the city exploring and shooting things I found interesting. That process of experimentation helped me focus on this style. I’m pushing digital boundaries, editing my photographs and creating new worlds

“PHOTOGRAPHY GIVES ME INSTANT GRATIFICATION.”

IF IT CAME TO A CRUNCH WOULD YOU CHOOSE DESIGN OR PHOTOGRAPHY?

Photography, but I will keep doing both for as long as I can. There is a synergy, an anchoring of spirit, in doing the two together. The process of designing buildings is very slow – projects can take years to complete. Photography gives me instant gratification.

ARE THESE ‘NEW WORLDS’ WHAT YOU’D LIKE TO DESIGN?

Actually they come out of that ‘what if’ moment. I see them as designs in themselves. They’re as much about having fun as anything else.

WHAT DREW YOU TO STUDY ARCHITECTURE?

I’d wanted to become an architect since I was nine years old, after visiting my uncle's architecture office in Jakarta. I was inspired that day. Since 2015, I’ve been lucky enough to work with FJMT Studio in Sydney. Good design plays such a huge role all in our lives.