"How's it going down"
-DMX
How many tattoos do you have? I have a couple. My first one being my daughter's name. Others are there to represent a time in my life and people in it. Those who have passed. One tattoo in particular is my California state tattoo. It's the outline of the state with only the letters LA and SD inside of it. The reason being for that is because they are both home to me. I like to say that I grew up in Los Angeles (the San Fernando Valley to be exact) and did my growing up in San Diego. The LA/San Fernando connection, I will get more into detail later on in another post. For now, allow me to share how I came to know a little bit about photography by attending an after school program called "The Voices Project."
My Senior year in High School my friend Isabel told me about an after school program that was teaching film and photography. Keep in mind, this was just a little bit before cell phones and any other real social media that allowed us to snap and share an image. Back then, we had to learn the more technical side of things when it came to a camera, we shot, and hoped we got the image we saw in front of us. I didn't want any part of any extra curricular activity at all. I was just never that kid. But she insisted and we went. I learned a lot of the basics when it came to photography and it was fun documenting everyday life. Fast forward to graduation and soon after, I was hired by The Voices Project to assist the program coordinators and got to learn how to edit videos as well. This is what set my foundation for what I do today; film and photography.
I truly enjoy capturing people and the aspiration that comes with them. It's as if I get a glimpse into who they dream of being, where they would want to be, and who they would like to become. It's truly been an honor to witness that in the people who allow me, time and time again, to photograph them for their special occasions. The First Look at a wedding, a sweet and unexpected interactions between siblings, or a calm and peaceful moment between a mother and her son.
As a photographer, I believe we are allowed that privilege any time anyone commissions us to photograph them. I do not take it for granted. In fact, it is what drives me in those moments. I want to do my best to capture every moment I am allowed to, so that you can hold on to it for as long as you can.
That is my humble beginning and I never forget my friend Isabel, who no matter how much I dreaded going that day to this after school program, pushed me to what is now my calling. Isabel, you changed my life and I am glad that you have not lost that side of yourself either.
-Frank
