FEATURED PHOTOGRAPHER: GABE ENAMORADO
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Get to know one of in TRAffik’s favorite photographers and creative minds…Gabe Enamorado. Gabe is not only talented in his photography but has reached his peak in the business arena as well. This youthful spirited guy sits down to talk to Brandy (“BB)about picture taking, his design company, and his theory on life. The 22-year old seems to have reached many milestones in his career at a young age giving the world plenty of time to see what the evolution of Gabeone.com will look like in the years to come. The future is looking pretty bright for this young lad.
(click on images to enlarge)
BB: When did you start taking pics?
GE: In 2005, with a Sony Cybershot camera. I purchased it to photograph the graffiti work I did. Legally, and illegally.
BB: I know you dabble in different subjects but what is your favorite “thing” to shoot and why?
GE:It definitely has to be cityscapes. Although photographing people is a close tie, there’s something about being alone at 3AM in Downtown Los Angeles that humbles, and soothes me. It was always my way of forgetting my problems.
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“…there’s something about being alone at 3am in Downtown Los Angeles that humbles, and soothes me.”
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BB: Who or what inspires you?
GE: I feel it’s my close surroundings that inspire me. The music I listen to, family, friends, cycling, women.. Things like that.
BB: If you could work with any celebrity who would it be and why?
GE: To be honest, None. I don’t ever watch TV, and rarely movies.. I hardly know any celebrities’ names, come to think of it. Haha. If anything, I’d love to collaborate with up and coming musicians or artists that I feel are in the same boat as me. I find the people who struggle to become someone in society to be very interesting. I then know, I’m not alone.
BB:What style would you classify you work as being?
GE: It’s very hard for me to say, because my work takes many different forms. I suppose the best way to answer this would be raw, with a very clean, minimalistic approach.
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BB: What’s your favorite thing about what you do?
GE: Meeting people! Being involved in projects, and having my schedule filled every day. It gets to the point that I cannot sleep because of how many things I have on my plate. Doing other things besides photography is to blame for that, and I love it.
BB: Where do you see yourself in 10 years?
GE: Working from a loft or my own home, running my business. Riding my custom-made bike everyday (one day…) and being happy with my fat cat. Hahah. Not much, but enough for me.
BB:What 3 things can’t you live without?
GE:In order of importance, my loved ones, my camera, and my bike.
BB: Tell us about your business…what does Gabeone offer?
GE: Apart from photography, I also offer Brand Identity/Design for startups, or companies looking to “refresh” their overall look. Print work, and Videography. The Design & Print aspect of my work is what takes on the clean, minimal aesthetics, which I think balances out the raw nature of my Photo & Video work.
BB: What is the meaning of life to you?
GE: Coming from a non-religous background, I believe there is no meaning. I find it almost arrogant for society to think we’re here to serve a purpose. I believe it’s our job to enjoy our time here, while we can. There’s too much beauty in this world to cloud it with worries about where we’re going to end up.
BB If you could go anywhere in the world to photograph where would it be and why?
GE: All over Europe. I’ve been to Italy before, and it was beautiful. The people, the food. Just their culture in general, I find it all fascinating. And the women, let’s not even go there.
BB: Best of advice you have ever got and actually taken it?
GE: “Gabe, you have to make invoices and contracts.” Yup.
BB: Your most fulfilling career moment or time?
GE: February of 2010, I held a photo exhibit with a close peer of mine. We called it “AMBIVALENCE”, due to the fact that our styles are very contrasting. 800 people walked in through the doors in a matter of 4 hours. I believe that was the longest I had gone without sleep too, almost 3.5 days straight. Regardless, a 4 month effort perfectly orchestrated, and far exceeded what I expected. It definitely changed the way I felt about what I could achieve in life.
BB. Any shows/events coming up where people can check out your work?
GE: As of right now, no. I’m knee deep in projects with my peers, not to be selfish or anything. But these projects are full effort and involve nearly every aspect of my work, which I hope will be seen by many in the near future.
BB: Who is your favorite photographer?
GE: I can’t think of photographers or artists that I’m really into. Because, I never really look into them or their work. I don’t know if that’s a good or bad thing, but for some reason I feel uninterested in doing so. I’m almost anti-art. It’s weird.
BB: What else ya wanna say?
GE: I want to thank everyone that has been, and is currently, in my life. Fortunately enough, I’ve never really had anyone doubt my success, except for me. I also want to thank the people that have screwed me over in the past, because I at least learned a couple of lessons from them. Most of all, a big thanks to the people who gave me stepping stones to get where I am now. There’s a lot left to conquer but hey, I’ve done a lot for only being 22.
Learn more about Gabe and view more of his work at http://gabeone.com
Adventures with Lady Di – What Rock ‘n’ Roll Looks Like
I Photograph Rock Stars…
Yes, Greg Watermann, you do.
Last Thursday, Lady Di and I ventured out to A&I Hollywood for the opening reception of the Greg Watermann Photo Exhibit “I Photograph Rock Stars.” Greg Watermann has a fairly strong following in the rock ‘n’ roll world from both the bands he photographs (Linkin Park, Slipknot, System of a Down, etc.) as well as the fans that get to enjoy these photos of their favorite bands, not to mention all of his peers in the field of photography many of which also showed up to show their support.
I tend to make it out to events like this with less frequency these days due to my sometimes crazy schedule, but always make an effort when my friends are involved. I still probably go out more than the average person, because it usually is my friends that are involved. If there is anything any LA resident knows it’s that LA is incestuous and it’s usually the same people who over and over make things happen (I’ll elaborate on this someday but not today).
Upon arrival it quickly became apparent that Dallas, TX would be the theme of the evening as Lady Di (a Texas native) instantly recognized an old friend named Steve that she hadn’t seen in years who also happened to be a member of one of her favorite Dallas bands. Steve is officially the first person I’ve ever met that lived in Antartica.
Although almost everywhere we go we are bound to know some people, this evening was no exception and it was nice to run into old friends instantly. There is nothing worse than being stuck at something that feels stuffy where everyone is trying to be overly cool and no one is having a good time. The lyrics “A room full of plastic smiles and an empty glass,” from “The Situation” by now broken up Ventura band The Return come to mind. Doesn’t that sound more like a nightmare than a night out?
We proceeded to grab some drinks and didn’t realize until midway through the evening that we had to purchase drink tickets to drink since the bartenders never asked us for any. Lady Di and I have a knack for many things like being ushered into secret rooms and for unintentionally befriending bartenders everywhere we go (time has proven that’s not such a bad thing as this equals free drinks, although we never ask for them), and this event was no exception as they tried to arrange a post-event hang out which we awkwardly laughed our way out of.
After doing a walk-through and taking a look at all of the photographs and watching a video featuring Watermann’s work with System of a Down, we quickly were back in the thick of a reunion and waxing nostalgia as a couple more of the members of the Dallas band Steve was in were spotted (they were all getting together to lay down some tracks this past weekend for a new project Steve has embarked upon), which included the drummer and one of Lady Di’s favorite people Joe Fulginiti. Joe also happens to be part of the A&I Hollywood team along with one of my favorite people in LA, Jason Costanzo, who because of busy schedules I rarely see despite the fact that he lives a couple of blocks from me.
A&I Hollywood regularly puts on photo exhibits at their Highland Ave. gallery such as the L.A. Nude 20 year Anniversary, which featured live nudes mingling through the crowds while showcasing photography from over forty photographers including Dennis Hopper, Douglas Kirkland, and Herman Leonard. I unfortunately had to miss this event when it happened as Brandy (BB) and I were putting on the “Unconventional” Fashion Show in Culver City in conjunction with Indie Collective and Seed Clothing that same night. The best part of the A&I Hollywood events is that A&I owner Baret Lepejian designates a charity which will be a recipient of any proceeds from each event. Baret is usually present at each of the events gregariously mingling with the crowd. If you happen to run into him, ask him what he likes to collect, and if you’re lucky you might get to see the actual unique items. I can honestly say I’ve never met anyone who collects what he does and doubt Lady Di had either.
It was a fun night filled with random multiple run-ins like The Woods owner and another of my favorite people Michelle Marini, AM (who is playing Spaceland with his new band Mondo Domingo this Saturday May 16), among many others.
Best dress of the evening award goes to the girl wearing this BeBe Studded Trapunto dress (retails at $249) that we would’ve never guessed was a BeBe dress. This was a perfect dress for the nighttime occasion just rock ‘n’ roll enough with the studs, gunmetal, and diagonal zip design completely avoiding the “stripper” look which I did see a couple of girls sporting.
I had actually almost forgotten all about this dress but happened to catch the Kellie Pickler “Best Days of Your Life” video and am pretty sure this is the same dress Taylor Swift is wearing in it.
It was a fun evening full of good people.
Please visit Greg Watermann’s official website www.gregwatermann.com to view his photographs. This exhibit will continue at A&I Hollywood from May 7 – June 10 and then at A&I Santa Monica from June 18 – July 24, visit www.aandi.com for more information.
You can also read more about the opening reception itself here.
Inside Photography with Photographist Jessy Plume
Jessy Plume is the talented eye behind the lens of a majority of the TRAffIK photos…you’ll know a Jessy Plume shot when you see it. Trust us.
Click here for a Q & A with Jessy.
Q & A with “Photographist” Jessy Plume
“Photographist” Jessy Plume answers some questions regarding her technique, favorite subjects to shoot, and her first camera.
Q. When did you realize that you wanted to be a photographer and why?
A. I think it was in high school, around 16, I realized there must be a reason I spent all of my time in the darkroom instead of class. I just couldn’t get enough information about it (photography). I studied fashion mags and photo books. It’s the only thing I was really crazy about back then.
Q. What was one of the first photographs that you saw that really spoke to you and why?
A. Kate moss at 15/16…. Not sure why she just looked so amazing in that Photo
Q. What was your first camera and at what age?
A. Hmmmm. Tough one, I have kept them all. I’m thinking it was my Bronica 645 (medium format)….. I used a lot of others before that but it was the first I actually saved up for and was MINE all mine!
Q. Do you recall the first picture you took?
A.The first picture I took with actual ‘lighting’ and a ‘professional camera’ was of my best friends Liz and Sara, still have it.
Q.What has been one of your hardest to put together shoots? How about your craziest?
A. The toughest jobs are the ones you really care about and are worth shooting, but have no budget for;
Hardest- Sex Cobra (band) In the desert in July-ish 120 degree weather… I thought I was going to vomit the entire time, heat stroke is a bitch.
(Sex Cobra – all photos by Jessy Plume - click on photos to enlarge)
Craziest- Love Rebellion…. So much to shoot in so many locations with so many people involved in so little time!!! But soooo worth it!
Q. Not everyone feels comfortable in front of a camera, how do you make your subjects feel comfortable enough to get a great shot?
A. I’m not sure how to explain how this happens… It’s a chemistry, I guess, I have been told numerous times I’m a great director, I always find it funny when people tell me this cause I don’t see myself that way necessarily… I just love the process and once it has begun its just about changing it /narrowing it down until you get what you are looking for.
(photo for H.Studio by Jessy Plume)
Q.When working with a subject/person for the first time, how do you prepare?
A. I like to sit and brainstorm with them, get to know their ideas/personality.
Q. What are your favorite things/people to photograph?
A. I sort of ‘fall in love’ with almost every person I shoot, I obsess for a bit then the next thing comes along. I do continuously however love shooting musicians.
Q. Do you have a favorite camera/piece of equipment?
A. My filters… My favorite cameras are my favorite because they are pretty not because I use them all of the time.
Q. Do you have a certain technique or style that you feel sets you apart from other photographers?
A. I think I do. People always tell me I shoot like ‘film stills’ Im not really sure about that or how I’d even describe my work, but again I think all of my work has a similar/ specific ‘look’.
Q. Where do the ideas and inspiration behind your photos come from? Is there a place you go to to get inspiration?
A. Location wise it is definitely the desert. I have two folders on my computer as well as two scrapbooks…. One of each is titled Amazing Photos one is titled Horrible Photos. I like to look at both to remind me of who is better than me and who I ‘think’ I am better than. Not in general just in instances… Once in a while I’ll see an amazing photo and wish I shot it, sometimes I’ll see a terrible one and think about how much someone got paid to do that and be bummed.
Q. Do you have a preference for black and white or color?
A. It really depends on the shot, I would have to say no. I like it when things look ‘gritty’ no matter what hue/color.
Q. Would you say that you look at the world in a different way than most people?
A. I don’t think I am in any place to judge how anyone sees the world. I think my pictures have ‘a look’ to them and I see other pictures I identify with or am inspired by, but I don’t think of it as necessarily ‘different’.
Featured Photographer – Jessy Plume
A native New Yorker, who self admittedly tends to “fall in love” with almost every subject she shoots, Photographer Jessy Plume is a rare combination of childlike wanderlust crossed with a wise old soul. Upon meeting her you quickly become aware that she gets it. You may not be quite sure just yet of what “it” is, but you are certain she does. You are probably right.
The photographer who counts Joyce Tennison, Avedon, Anabel Vasquez, Tom Waits, and David Lynch as inspirations and people she looks up to expresses no hesitation to go against the norm or think outside the box when it comes to her photography. She is also often guilty of making a habit of getting away to places where she has no cell phone reception.
photo by Jenn Ryan
Plume who first realized photography would be her passion at 16 years of age, now counts Alexandra Von Furstenberg, DANSR, Elmer Ave, H Studio, Love Rebellion, as well as many other designers as clients. The MassArt (Boston) and Art Center (Pasadena) alumni has also quickly become the go to girl for many LA based bands who want to work with someone who can capture the true spirit of their band’s image and sound.
Nikon and Canon are what this self-described “typical Gemini” prefers to use professionally, but still indulges in using film for personal projects or when the budget and/or concept allow for it. Plume also intimates, “My Holga is always my go to when I’m feeling like I need to get away from all the BS.”
When asked if she feels she sees the world differently from other people Plume responded “I don’t think I am in any place to judge how anyone sees the world. I think my pictures have ‘a look’ to them and I see other pictures I identify with or am inspired by, but I don’t think of it as necessarily ‘different.’ ”
Jessy Plume’s work can be found at www.myspace.com/masadamaya and www.jessyplume.com.
Check back for a Q & A with Jessy next week.
Also all visitors of TRAffIK will get to witness Jessy Plume’s work on a regular basis as she is who captures much of the sights that you will see featured on this site.