BY TERI WILLIAMS | PHOTOS BY ERIC LOVE
through a
different lens
WITH A DEGREE IN ECONOMICS UNDER HIS WING,
DOMINIQUE JAMES SET OUT TO ESTABLISH A CAREER
ONLY TO REALIZE THAT HIS TRUE PATH AND PASSION
LED STRAIGHT TO THE ART OF PHOTOGRAPHYAND TO
AMERICA.
The decision to come to America was not an easy one. “When
people migrate,” said Dominique James, “most of them are
trying to figure out what they’ll gain. In my case, however, it
was somewhat the opposite. I was thinking more in terms of
what I will give up and lose. I had been so fortunate and so
blessed with a good life in the Philippines. I had a good career and
circles of great and beautiful friends. That was what I had to give up to
come to America.”
As an international commercial and fine art photographer,
Dominque counted Avon, Apple, Epson, Fuji, and Nikon among his
clients. Pictures he had taken of top fashion models and famous
celebrities appeared on the covers of magazines and other advertising
mediums across Asia.
When the opportunity to migrate to America finally came,
he decided to go ahead with one important reason in mind—to
be reunited with his family. “I couldn’t think of any other more
compelling reason. In any case, I thought if uprooting and moving to a
different country doesn’t work out, I can always go back.”
Dominique’s aunt (his mother’s sister), Dr. Melania Domingo, came
to America in the 1960s working as a medical doctor. As an American
citizen, she thereafter filed for a family reunification petition. First
to rejoin were Dominique’s grandparents, and a few years later, his
parents. “Each country is allotted a quota for approved visa petitions,”
said Dominique. “The wait time depends on the country’s status and
relationship with the United States. My grandparents waited ten years.
My parents waited another ten years, and by then, only my youngest
sister among the five of us was under eighteen and, therefore, eligible
to migrate with them.”
Hometown Living At Its Best 13