In 1997, Donjai, born J Gilmore, adopted his love for the camera around 9 years old at International Center of Photography classes with The Point Community Center in The South Bronx. Being one of the first & youngest to join the program has crowned him a child prodigy. PBS Channel 13 put a spotlight on him and that crown has stood on top ever since. As he Approaches 30 years of experience, his developed eye enabled his 360 foot print from student to teacher to entrepreneur and back to student. Portraits in Lifestyle is the subject that overall describes his body of work with everyday people. What may be seen as commercial work for hire even encompasses his raw eye that gives an organic edge to his images. Although he doesn’t consider himself a celebrity photographer, Documenting celebrities which ranges from David Beckham, Robin Thicke, Nipsey Hussle, Ice Spice, DMX, are often talked about amongst his extensive library of 

Subject matter.

This has been the blueprint to go from struggling artist to published artist, but more importantly being the living proof of how well a child from an underserved neighborhood can rise above his circumstances with the opportunity of community programming. That gift keeps on giving as he serves programs such as Labs, Friends of Island Academy, Scholastic Art & Writing, Leak & Watts, HCZ, or Red Hook labs, Camera Camp which he co founded focusing on subcultures leading Photo Walks where he teaches how photography can be the therapeutic way of expressing yourself and how to transfer those artistic skills to generate income and where students are placed with Industry Collaborations from the likes of ID Magazine to Uniqlo and Calvin Klein.

His day to day currently consist of public speaking and workshops, mentoring, traveling and selecting work to be placed in various galleries across the world.

He has been able to chase his passion without compromising for a commercial eye and still get commercial gigs putting his raw perspective on final images from any photo subject he lays his eyes on. As he puts it Leading with the Lens of Love is the key to Lending Love.