DIGITAL PROMOTORAS: Glimpses of LA

Aimee Hernandez, age 15

Photo Caption: "Los Elegidos de Asís" performs an Afro-Mexican cultural dance called "La Danza de Los Diablos" that originated from the coast of Guerrero and Oaxaca. This dance incorporates movements of circles of fronts, moving a whip, and force. It represents history with African slaves that were brought to Mexico. During these bailes, many come together to watch, dance, and drinks are poured which connect a la comunidad through the action and sharing.

Aliyah Jackson, age 14

ABOUT ME:

My name is Aliyah and I am 14 years old. I have an older sister in college who used to be part of Las Fotos Project, and I have a twin brother. My mom is Dominican and my father is Black. I’m proud to be both. I attend Adams Middle School in Redondo Beach. I live in Harbor City in Los Angeles. I enjoy playing softball, running, going to the beach, listening to music, and reading. When I am older, I would like to own my own business and to travel all over the world. I like being with nature and capturing pictures of things I love with my camera. I enjoy hanging out with friends and family.

Amy Salazar, age 17

ABOUT ME:

My name is Amy Salazar, I was born and raised here in Boyle Heights. I’m the youngest girl in my family of 7, so it has been hard to pave my own way when living in my siblings’ shadow. Since I’ve always had my creativity to set me apart from them, I have always found ways to use photography and other forms of art to express myself. Growing up in a vibrant community full of different cultures, I have been able to capture these moments, and even be part of these experiences. I have been blessed with so much and I am so grateful.

Photo Caption: I’ve lived in the same home all my life. Living here has given me an opportunity to see different cultures and learn more about my own. Waking up to my dad's roosters singing at 5:30 am, the noise of my siblings fighting and laughing and their television or music playing are familiar sounds. Growing up in this community has given me key memories like walking down to the park as a child in a big group, excited to play, and seeing the scenery as I walk to the store.

Andrea Curiel, age 16

Photo Caption: In My Father’s Hands I captured this image of my father, a man with a story who immigrated from Mexicali, Mexico, to the United States, coming to the land of opportunities. Living in the United States while undocumented has left my father with diminished opportunities, but he has, he conducted a living with what he has. My father’s hands built my family’s source of transportation. They bought, used, and remodeled the vehicle using what he already knew: knowledge, skill, and patience.

Ariana Soria, age 17

Bella Gomez, age 16

ABOUT ME:

Bella Gomez is a junior at John Marshall High school. Born and raised in Echo Park, she is the daughter of two Guatemalan immigrants. Bella’s experience and culture are a significant part of who she is and influence how she acts. She considers herself a natural leader especially in her artistic endeavors. Bella has a love for photography, which she uses to express and empower different cultures in her community by focusing on documenting underrepresented and misrepresented marginalized groups. Lately, Bella has been capturing the ongoing gentrification in her neighborhood, hoping to make a difference with her work and inspire others to do the same.

Bertha Flores, age 16

Photo Caption: Florece is a piece of artwork that captures my growth as a person. The flowers represent my blooming—stepping out of my comfort zone and becoming a better version of myself. My last name, Flores, inspired me to connect a name passed down through generations to my own identity and to what I’ve achieved within myself.

Brooklyn Castellanos, age 12

Photo Caption: Echo Park Lake is a reservoir with a large variety of things to see: different plants, Chicano artifacts, undocumented immigrant representation as well as hipsters. The lotus flower often seen in Echo Park Lake is a symbol of the community. This oasis has served the community for over one hundred years and has become one of the main attractions of Los Angeles. The DTLA skyline visible behind the reservoir attracts photographers and artists as well as performers.

Emi Rodriguez, age 17

ABOUT ME:

Located in Los Angeles, Emi is a 17-year-old photographer. She is one duck among seven silly gooses. The California sun, style, vibes, and smiles call to her. The lights, cameras, actions, and shadows follow her photography reflecting the atmosphere around her. Her growth will continue by capturing her adventures through a lens.

Photo Caption: Every day, we have thousands of thoughts in our conscious hours that eventually keep us up at night. The blue light in the first photo represents the sadness, anxiety, and helplessness that consume most of my nights. Meanwhile, the contrast of the warm glow of the yellow hues represents the same way my appearance is a contrast of my mind and my reality. My appearance is happy, smiley, and warm. Appearances do not always match reality.

Emma Gonzalez, age 18

Esra Nunez, age 15

ABOUT ME:

Esra (she/her/ella) is a 15-year-old trans latina youth raised on the outskirts of downtown: Historic Filipinotown and Boyle Heights. She loves photography, music and art. Her photography is driven by Love. Love of the city she grew up in, Love poured into her, and the greatest Love of all: SELF. From a young age she has been drawn to the architecture, cityscapes and silhouettes of downtown. She finds solace in the duality and fluidity of her city, she knows them and they know her. Their raw warmth and utter cruelty perform a delicate ballet before her lens everyday.

Jessica Angel, age 16

Photo Caption: The effects of the war between Palestine and Israel have greatly impacted and touched the hearts of many people, including the Mexican community. My photo montage contains an image of a local artist depicting a Palestinian mother mourning the loss of her innocent child. Overlaid on top is a protest banner declaring “Palestina Libre.” By overlaying these art pieces, I hope to amplify the cries of the Palestinian people and bring recognition and solidarity to their daily sufferings and painful sorrows.

Jessica Murillo Lopez, age 16

ABOUT ME:

Jessica Murillo Lopez is a young artist from Los Angeles who takes inspiration from her Mexican culture, passions, and current issues and events. Raised as the oldest child in a busy household, she often approaches photography (and music) as an escape from a hectic academic life. Taking photos of things she loves, she often captures moments in time that secretly whisper important stories. Even with her spontaneous bouts of creativity, her photography is adaptive and evolving and open to multiple perspectives and personal narratives. Through her art, she aims to evoke passionate emotions that convey themes of justice, equality, hope, and comfort toward the unknown and undiscovered.

Photo Caption: As people held their breaths for the presidential election results, there was an impending sense of doom felt throughout my peers once America re-elected Trump. Countless youth had their futures decided for them, streaked in bright red. Many of them are too young to vote, too young to be important. My generation is now forced to comply with this new agenda of our lawmakers, resigning our hopes & dreams into the hands of politicians and a lone birthday wish.

Juliana Hernandez, age 19

Photo Caption: Al Otro Lado de la Frontera is a diptych created to show both of Juliana’s grandmothers, neither of which she grew up with. Left image: due to the U.S. and Mexican border, Juliana wasn’t able to grow up with her abuelita Conchita. Right image: Though abuelita Carmen was around until Juliana was three, Carmen passed away in 2008. This image was created to show the possible reality for many if we keep choosing the current political path for our country.

Julie Rebollar, age 17

Kapuri Orozco, age 18

Keira Krishnaiah, age 16

ABOUT ME:

As an Asian American and an identical twin, Keira Krishnaiah constantly explores her identity through the magic of photography. She values the power of photography in connecting with her community and advocating for her passions in social justice. She is fascinated by light and the intersection between art and activism. With every photograph, her voice has gotten louder and louder. She approaches her work through a balance between playfulness, challenge, color, and subtlety. Her photographs merge other people’s perceptions with a twist of the truth––a look in the eyes, a hint of light, or a shadow. She views her work as a way of evolving the viewer’s perspective as she simultaneously evolves her own.

Leslie Maribel, age 16

ABOUT ME:

Hello, my name is Leslie Maribel and I am 16 years old. My Myers-Briggs Type Indicator is INTP. Although some people may feel that personality tests like these are inaccurate, I find this title defines my character well. The “I” may stand for introvert, but I owe it to my YMCA delegation and East Yard Community for Environmental Justice for helping me find my voice. They've taught me the importance of using it, especially when in uncomfortable situations. Having grown up in a quiet household raised by female characters, I believe that it is because of their unwavering strength that I've made the effort to act as bravely as I do. I use my free time to learn about the different ways in which people may perceive life through literature, music, and media to develop my knowledge. I strive to use my voice and knowledge for the improvement of my community.

Photo Caption: This photo shows my mom’s first time wearing her corte since migrating from Guatemala to the U.S., 17 years ago. Here she struggles to be confident in an outfit she once easily embodied, fighting embarrassment and embracing the beauty of ethnic culture. She finds community in a city that is continuously changing, a community where she is comfortable visiting a version of herself that she thought she left behind.

Maya Reyes, age 14

ABOUT ME:

Maya Reyes is a 14-year-old Indigenous artist living in Pasadena. She is currently in the 8th grade at Blair Middle School and is navigating her transition from middle school to high school. This is her third semester in the Las Fotos Project program. Maya transforms her struggles into a driving motivation that fuels her passion for art. Her artwork reflects her inner self and her thoughts about life as well as the world around her. She constantly pushes herself out of her comfort zone to create new pieces. Maya reminds herself that every piece of art is a work in progress and doesn't have to be perfect; even when it's finished, there is always room for improvement.

Photo Caption: This project addresses the under-appreciation of teachers and staff members at Blair Middle and High Schools. I have been interviewing several staff and teachers at my school who have spent many years in the school system and in the district. They have shared many thoughts but feel the need to hold back, due to fears of losing their jobs. Pictured here are Ashley Lau (top left), Monica Benson (top right), Xiomara Tovar (bottom left), and Rena J. Vasquez (bottom right).

Sandra Luis Grijalva, age 17

ABOUT ME:

My name is Sandra Luis Grijalva. I am 17 years old and a senior attending Warren High School. This is my fifth semester at Las Fotos Project. Photography is something that I discovered through my aunt when I was a freshman and I have loved it ever since. It is my form of expression and my images reflect exactly what I'm feeling in the moment they are being created. I’d say that I’m an introvert and I keep to myself a lot––my photography reflects that.

Photo Caption: Ever since my parents separated, I’ve felt like the weapon between them as they would try to “win” me over, each trying to do the most damage to the other. While they wanted to hurt each other, they didn’t realize that they were just hurting me. My quinceañera crowns represent yet another competition that occurred on my big day, both of them ignorant to the damage. As I created this photograph, I was reminded that I can simply choose myself.

Uzuri Ray, age 17

ABOUT ME:

Uzuri Ray is a 17-year-old Mexican-American photographer based in Boyle Heights. She began to explore photography in ninth grade when her mom first enrolled her in Las Fotos Project where she has taken each class offered, starting with Esta Soy Yo, followed by Digital Primatoras, and ultimately CEO. As Uzuri finishes high school, she is returning to her photography origins and exploring personal topics. Her photography is rooted in showing the joy in her life through color. By taking photos of the joyous moments she shares with her family and friends, Uzuri aims to capture special memories made unforgettable through her documentation. Uzuri embraces in-the-moment lifestyle photography as she feels that this photojournalistic approach allows her to immerse herself in the action of life in real time. In this way, the emotions and relationships of each fleeting moment are frozen with Uzuri behind the camera.

Xitlali Ray, age 15

ABOUT ME:

Xitlali Ray, a 15-year-old who was born and raised in Boyle Heights, loves to capture hidden and bold messages in her artwork. She aims for her work to invoke a feeling of understanding and bring a sense of pride from the community she was raised in. She finds her voice as an artist to be helpful as a form of expression and opinion.

Zubi Sanchez, age 15

ABOUT ME:

Hello. My name is Zubi Sanchez Parra. I am a Latina who grew up in Los Angeles, specifically Lincoln Heights. I am 15 years old and attend Flintridge Sacred Heart Academy where I am a freshman. I also have a little brother named Zeke and five pets. I participate in various activities outside of school such as Impromptu (speech and debate), running crew for the school play, playing volleyball at SG Elite, and photography here at Las Fotos Project. I also enjoy watching movies, reading, listening to and playing music, going out with friends, cooking, baking, and camping.