Monday, May 12, 2014

Anthony Garcia Fine Arts Photographer






Anthony Garcia
Fine Arts Photographer
                                              
There are photographers and there are imaginative photographers. Anthony falls in that latter category. There’s just no way for me to accurately describe his works. I could type forever and it wouldn’t come close to give it justice. For me, Anthony Garcia’s photos were so dream-like, it almost felt like seeing the opening logo of “Dreamworks” movies or SyFy Channel’s commercials, every time I looked at it. One of my ultimate favorite was a photo of himself creating a “pop-up” paper castle and dragon that comes alive with the stroke of his pen; I asked him what’s the story behind it and Anthony threw the question back at me “What do you think? I create my photos so that people could fill-in the stories not the other way around”. This kid have such great talent for a 19 year old that I could’ve easily hated him. But I admired his work, and his awesome personality, so much there’s no room in my heart to be jealous of him.  

“I took photography classes in high school but I really didn’t thought to make something out of it…I really wanted to be a drummer”, he said jovially “I just got interested in it so much that I took Photoshop classes but I really learned more from playing with the (photo editing) software”. I think that really is the key in gaining a creative process. One could take only so much classes but one has to experience it to achieve something. It took me fifteen years to figure that out but Anthony got it in one. “I started photography with my Iphone when I was 18…I get the ideas from everywhere…I do a quick sketch and note when I wake up from a dream and start a concept from there…or I pick up an object like a light bulb and I imagine stills with it”.

Anthony’s photos were so thought-provoking that I started asking really deep and stupid questions like: “Was there a deeper experience or thought and feelings about this work or that”, “Do you tap into your emotions”, etc. But what I really wanted to ask him was “Were his creations a form of escapism?” to run away from something. His first attempt of fine arts photography was of him being flown away by a blue balloon up into the sky, and it won a contest and got displayed by an online group from Berlin, Germany. Good thing I didn’t ask Anthony that question because I really didn’t care where his ideas were coming from. I just wanted to go on a ride with him and be taken away by his visions.
In the end, I think that’s really what art is, something that would take us to places that we could only dream of. Dream away Anthony, keep creating your great work and take us along for a ride.


To see more of his works please visit:




ADDENDUM:

Anthony's goal is to combine his creativity with his wedding photography services. If you choose him to be your wedding photographer I will tell you now, he's worth more than any other wedding photographers who charges thousands of dollars.


ALL RIGHTS RESERVED
RG LOS ANGELES STORIES
2014


Monday, May 5, 2014

Laura Yazdi of www.LauraLily.net



Laura Yazdi
Fashion & Beauty Blogger/Stylist


This post is part of The Passion Behind L.A. Fashion series. A celebration of the talents behind L.A.'s fashion industry.

It had taken a while for the movers and shakers of the fashion industry to pay heed to these daring breed of trendsetters, writers and media personalities, but Fashion Bloggers have earned the right of becoming an influential, and even an integral part, of the industry. The most dedicated and serious of these Fashion Bloggers could do their own writing, photography, videography, editing, web design, etc. Most reputable Online Fashion Magazines would need a highly-paid team to do what a seasoned Fashion Blogger could do single-handedly. Fashion Bloggers are fashion correspondents and you’d often see them attend a fashion show in New York, Los Angeles, Paris or London. They have a critical eye and most Fashion Bloggers moonlight as stylists, they aren’t just fashion critics, so they know what they are talking about. I have the privilege to know one of the most dedicated Fashion Bloggers here in Los Angeles and she was kind enough to answer a Q&A and share her story:

Laura, when did you figure out your creative talent?

Family and friends would tell me I had a talent for dressing well for little money. My grandmother never believed me when I told her how much I paid for an outfit. Still to this day she doesn't believe me. I had friends and family members asking where I bought items I was wearing and asking me to teach them how to shop and dress like I do.

How did you train for it?

As far as my training to become a professional shopper: Hours and hours of shopping. LOL. But seriously, I worked in retail through college and on my breaks would walk around the mall checking out the clearance racks for steals. I refused to pay full price for anything. I loved the thrill of the hunt. As far as styling, I started styling myself, then my mom, then my sister, then friends. They were asking me fashion advice and literally to teach them how to shop. From there it just evolved into a wonderful world of styling.

How do you describe your work?

Never ending, but I love it that way. There is always a new idea popping into my head. I carry a note book to write them all down. 7am every morning I wake up, and still in bed, I check my emails. That is how I know I love what I do- who checks there emails that early?! I'll answer emails when I am fully awake and cognizant. Most of my time as a blogger were spend on the computer setting up future blog posts, emailing with companies and brands on collaborations. Rarely am I actually in front of the camera for a photo shoot. That is what makes those days extra special, the days when the outfit I styled finally comes together on camera. The preparation for an hour photo-shoot can take hours. People don't relaize this when they see a fashion blog. Hair, make-up, camera set-up, location scouting, styling, prepping clothes... it's a process. But a beautiful one at that.


editor: Paul Remy www.instagram.com/nxupmagazine