Everyone Has Strengths and Weaknesses

Featuring Kane Ocean Words by Nastasia Khmelnitski

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Kane Ocean is a Montreal based photographer who’s passionate about fashion, music, and travel. Kane successfully manages diverse aspects of his career, being a freelance fashion photographer, working with clients like SSENSE and Dime, and co-leading his party and record label, 00:AM, showcasing local and global artists.

Kane’s photography is a thoughtful translation of fashion fusing eccentric elements added to the shoot. The approach is of careful consideration of the technical side and preparation as building the most suitable light for the set and scouting for the perfect and distinct models. The additional point of view is presented through street photography and situational photography, capturing the genuine experiences of youth and friends.

Returning from Paris Fashion Week, Kane takes some time on the board of the plane to chat with us about the internship that led him inside the profession, his work at SSENSE, traveling across Europe, the music label and DJing, and the upcoming book release.

‘When I was 15, I met a successful photographer, and I remember thinking “well if he’s doing this as a job, maybe I could too’

Hi Kane, how are you doing? What are your plans for today?

I’m good thanks, you? Just on a plane at the moment, heading back to Montreal from PFW (Paris Fashion Week). Finished sorting through music for a party I’m playing this weekend, finally have some time to chat with you!

Let’s talk about your path to photography from founding Round Midnight, event production company, to founding 00:AM recording company, and eventually freelancing in photography. 

I grew up in Vancouver. During the last semester of the photography program I took in college, we had to do a two-week internship. I landed one at my favourite agency in Montreal, and during that time, one of the photographers I liked told me if I moved there, I’d be his first assistant.

I’ve always been into both music and photography. Grew up playing in bands, and when I was 10 years old, my mom signed me up for a film photography course, which I loved. Music was going well, was playing shows, had been on TV, label interest, etc., but adults around me would say things like “the chances of making it in music are very low.” When I was 15, I met a successful photographer, and I remember thinking “well if he’s doing this as a job, maybe I could too.”

I moved to Montreal right out of school, worked with that photographer and some other great teams for about 5 years until I started shooting more. I was also exploring Montreal’s music scene, and after about a year of living out here, I started throwing the Round Midnight parties with two of my friends, Julien and Rader. Julien would find unique spaces all over the city, and we’d throw raves with local DJs we liked. We’d also have house parties where we’d just be playing music we liked. People started asking to book me to play parties and fashion shows, but I thought it might make people take my photography less seriously, so I’d say no.

One night one of my best friends, Brendan, played a festival in Montreal called Piknic Électronik. Afterward, this promoter invited us onto a party bus. It was just me, Brendan, another DJ who’d also played the festival, and a bunch of party people we didn’t really know. They were partying super hard, feeding us drinks, dancing, it was pretty funny. They told us we were headed to this new club we hadn’t been to yet for an afterparty. When we got there, the club owner was waiting out front and said to Brendan “we just found out the DJ’s flight has been delayed and they won’t be here for another three hours. Would you be able to play until they arrive?” Brendan paused for a sec, then said “I’ll do it, but only if he plays with me,” pointing in my direction. We were pretty drunk, and the circumstances were so bizarre and spontaneous that I was just like “okay, let’s go.” We had so much fun that night that I started accepting DJ offers. Brendan, Julien, Jason, and I started 00:AM in 2015, which kind of replaced Round Midnight as a party. We started booking our favourite international artists, and a few years ago started the record label.

‘Music has had a big impact on my life, but I don’t think it’s had too much to do with my style in photography’

What is the impact and the effect music has on your style of photography? Are you still active in both of the spheres?    

Music has had a big impact on my life, but I don’t think it’s had too much to do with my style in photography. I do get commissioned to photograph a lot of artists, but I’ve always had quite a strong sense of what I like in both worlds. If my work in both of them seems cohesive, it’s probably more a reflection of my sensibilities, I think.

Today you are a freelancer and also work with Ssense, Montreal. What is your main excitement or contribution to Ssense? Does it help in meeting professionals and creating connections?

I like being able to work with a variety of clients. Every team works in their own way, and it’s fun adapting and contributing to each context. SSENSE is a really big company, and it’s interesting to see how they operate on that scale. They’re also really good at recruiting talented people. I’ve made some new friends there, but I knew a lot of the people I work with before they started booking me.

What was the most challenging project you’ve worked on? What are you most proud of achieving?

I recently produced, cast, and shot two editorials with more than nine models each. I’m proud of both of them, and am also really looking forward to further establishing a team of producers and casting directors I like working with. I’m currently in the process of finishing my first book, which I’m really excited about too.

What music do you enjoy listening to, name some cool bands from Canada to follow?

I listen to a lot. At home mostly pop, rap, rock, etc., and club music for DJing and the label. Canada has a lot of talent right now. Some of my faves are Priori, D. Tiffany, Ex-Terrestrial, Project Pablo, Ramzi, M. Bootyspoon, Farren Laen, Daniel Caesar, Flørist, PLO Man, Gooch, Charlotte Day Wilson, and Hashman Deejay. Too many more to name…

What are some tips for creating a good atmosphere and vibes on set for a team to enjoy? 

Work with good people.

Communicate and prep so everyone understands what you’re trying to achieve, and has the resources they need to do their best work.

Snacks.

Music.

During your European travels, you visited Spain, Greece, France, the UK, Ukraine, Denmark, among other countries, what is the most striking difference in attitudes or cultural aspects you enjoyed noticing?

There are honestly so many. I wasn’t in Spain long enough to comment, I’d like to go back though. Greece had some of the warmest and most welcoming people I’ve met, and damn, it was beautiful. Their food is also very good. I really like French architecture, the drivers are insane, and if you ever go to Nice, there’s a restaurant there called Côté Marais which you must go to. The UK is responsible for a lot of my favourite art, and they have amazing museums. Ukraine people know how to party at a world-class level, and the street style was especially unique. In Denmark, everything seems to be designed better, and if you try to cross the street, cars will stop immediately.

My family couldn’t afford to travel much growing up, so having the opportunity to see these places now, I feel very lucky. Each place has such nuanced differences and personalities, I could never articulate them. But I did take some pictures which will come out soon.

It’s often a challenge to find a good lab to develop film in a quality one wants. Do you have a place like that, or are you still struggling? What’s the trick to finding one? 

A friend recommended one to me in Montreal, and I’ve been happy with them. I know some cities struggle with this, so I feel very fortunate.

‘I’m very particular and can be a bit of a control freak. The lesson has been that letting go of some control can allow for a more complete outcome if you find the right people and communicate properly’

What are some of your most favorite places in your hometown? How would you describe it to a person who has never visited Canada?

If you like nature, Vancouver is world-class. Mountains, the ocean, lots of trees. When you step off the plane, the air feels crisper. The Japanese food there is amazing, and I really miss hot wings, which for some reason Montreal doesn’t seem to have. It’s really expensive to live there, which unfortunately has a negative impact on arts and culture, but all in all, it’s a great place. There are small islands not far from the city, which are some of my favourite places to be — Bowen, Gabriola, etc. Whistler is fun too. 

We develop our skills throughout life and become better as professionals and hopefully as humans. What’s the lesson you’ve recently learned? 

Everyone has strengths and weaknesses. These last two years have been about identifying those within myself, and then working with people I trust to be able to take on some of the things I’m less strong at. I’m very particular and can be a bit of a control freak. The lesson has been that letting go of some control can allow for a more complete outcome if you find the right people and communicate properly.

What’s next?  

Excited to put out this book. More hot music on the label, more fun parties and DJing, and keep working with people I respect on projects I believe in. A lot of exciting things to come in 2020.