digital promotoras:
locals only
Our communities and the individuals and businesses that make them up, form a sense of place, inspiration, and tradition. The local businesses highlighted in our students’ work show the spaces and people who make up such communities for them. Throughout the semester each of our Promotoras was able to document these faces and stories behind a local business of their choosing, advocating for their inclusion in our larger narrative and celebrating them through their final projects.
TEACHING ARTISTS: Danielle Del Rosario and
Leah Hubbard
TEACHING ARTIST ASSISTANT: Paola Jaime
MENTORS: Ashley Moore, Caroline Alfonso, Cristabell Fierros, Elisa Park, Gabe Gamboa, Jordan Salcido, Marshall Long, Martina Ibáñez-Baldor, Megan Pennings, Nicole Maturo, Piper Sellers, and Susanica Tam
FEATUred
Photographers
Amalie Moreno
Amanda Arellano
Anahi Garay
Anahi Munoz
Angel Mia Torres
Bibiana Romero
Brisa Munoz
Dahlia Kim Levy
Danilka Foronda-Zanipatin
Eileen Villarreal
Grace De Leon
Jade Carrera
Keiry Miranda
Kristelle Uriostegui
Leslie Rosales
Madison Ho
Michelle Montenegro
Myrka Santana
Nadezhda Knight
Presley Mena
Sam Ramirez
Amalie Moreno
age 15
Amara Kitchen
Amara Kitchen is a cafe near where I live in Highland Park. I like cafes because they are cute, small, and cozy. They make coffee that I like. At the cafe, you can sit down, do your homework and listen to music. Amara Kitchen was founded in 2013 and serves breakfast and lunch and offers catering services. Amara Kitchen is growing and now has a location in Altadena. They are open daily from 8 am to 4 pm.
Coffee Date. 519 N Avenue 64, Los Angeles, CA 90042
A server at Amara Kitchen prepares coffee for patrons.
ABOUT ME
Amalie Sky Moreno is a sophomore at Franklin high school in Highland Park. It is her first semester with Las Fotos Project. She started her interest in photography by watching her cousin Fabiola Lopez, who works at Las Fotos Project, take photos. Amalie is interested in seeing where photography can take her. She hopes to get a future job taking portrait photography for a cosmetics company or taking celebrity portraits. Amalie likes playing sports, listening to music, and taking photos of her friends. On the weekends, you can catch her hanging out with her cousins and eating Tommy’s. She looks forward to more semesters with Las Fotos Project. She wants to thank her mentor Martina for all her help! LOVE HER!
Amanda Arellano
age 18
Latinx with Plants
I chose to focus on Latinx With Plants because I wanted to learn about the history of this business and wanted to highlight the importance of having a Latinx-run plant business. Some crucial lessons this project taught me were how to improve my photography skills and to see East LA’s history in a new way. My newfound skills helped me use photography as a medium both for representation and for creating a new perspective on topics. My favorite part about participating in Las Fotos Project was learning how to use our DSLR cameras and how to use photography techniques to talk about a business’s story through pictures. For this reason, my favorite part about working with other students was learning from their experiences and getting inspiration from their work.
Pruning Greenery. Latinx with Plants
Here is a worker pruning a plant with care at Latinx with Plants. What I like best about this image is that it reflects part of the daily life of a worker who cares a lot about their job.
ABOUT ME
Amanda Arellano is a young person dedicated to advocating for different rights, such as rights for Arts Justice, reproductive and abortion rights, LGBTQIA+ rights, and the rights of people with disabilities. Even though they are in a Gap year, this 18-year-old person aims to study computer science.
Anahi Garay
age 13
Olvera Street's History Preservation
Olvera Street was founded in 1930 by Christine Stirling, who is also called the “Mother of Olvera Street.” When I was younger, my family would always go here during Dia de Los Muertos— it was also a place that changed and filled with history. Olvera Street is not only important to me but many other people. Olvera Street is known for its shops and events but also has museums. Olvera Street is filled with different foods and colors. I wanted to show how Olvera Street preserves history.
Drums and Feathers. 845 N Alameda St, Los Angeles, CA, 90012
People watch as dancers practice for a ritual called the Grupo Tartalejos.
ABOUT ME
I am Anahi Garay. I'm a 13-year-old Mexican American in the 8th grade. Living in Los Angeles, I would always see the mix of nature and human-made things, from walking home from school or being in a car. It was always something new I could see. Listening to music gave me a love for instruments, so I learned the drums and a bit of piano. As I grew up, I moved around a lot which made me appreciate my surroundings more. I was fully introduced to photography by my sister's boyfriend. He taught me the basics and gave me my first camera. I've always wanted to take pictures of people and places just existing which is why I went into photojournalism.
Anahi Munoz
age 17
Sewing on Dozier
Throughout the Las Fotos Project, I decided to target my local dry cleaners/sewing shop in my neighborhood. Before this business became what it is, it used to serve our community as a small liquor shop. As time passed, homes were built at the end of Dozier St., where the business is located. Instead of allowing a house to be built, it was remodeled into a new business. This image helps portray the vision I want others to see of how much people value this business. Community members who might not have the skill of knowing how to sew or not have sufficient time can receive good service, quality pieces, and help from the kindest owners who own the shop.
Sewing on Dozier. 4780 Dozier St
Throughout the image, we see the two owners of this shop, concentrated back to back, working on customers' clothing. With no interaction between the two, the photo speaks for itself. Showing how hardworking their workspace is, filled with multiple areas of yarn, clothing piles, machinery, etc. As much work that they have, the time and dedication put into each item show they both have patience for their customers' work.
ABOUT ME
My name is Anahi Munoz. My pronouns are she/her. I come from a Hispanic family. I have lived and grown up in East LA my entire childhood and am very grateful for everything regardless of how challenging the lifestyle is. I am 17 years old and a Senior at Garfield High School. I look forward to graduating in June of 2023. I may come off as a quiet and shy person. If you get to know me better, I like talking to new people and trying new opportunities like Las Fotos Project. My biggest inspiration is my dad. Every morning I see how tired he is, but he still pushes himself to work hard for my family. I want to be just as great a hard worker as him. Ultimately, I am very motivated to see my growth, share beautiful imagery with the community, and inspire others to be passionate about where they live and show beautiful features within these images.
Angel Mia Torres age 14
One More Time
“One More Time” is a photo project focused on closed-down businesses located in Moorpark, CA. With this work, I aim to highlight these spaces one more time before their walls are torn down and repainted. The businesses I photographed shut down due to the changes in Moorpark brought on by gentrification. With the closing of these businesses, I became unfamiliar with the environment I’ve lived in forever. As they close, they are forgotten as my community moves on from the remains.
220 High St. 220 High St., Moorpark, CA
One More Time was a thrift shop that was run by local Moorpark senior citizens. Now it rots under the pepper trees, covered in fallen foliage and engulfed by erosion. Once filled to the brim with old items, awaiting the chance to be picked up again, is soon to be a lost testimony of the past.
ABOUT ME
My name is Angel Mia Torres, and I use she/her pronouns. I live in Moorpark, CA. I am a Mexican-Puerto Rican American. I love exploring different mediums of art, listening to music, and taking care of my plants. In my photos, I strive to capture the little moments of life and the things we don’t often look at or notice. I’m involved with my community through acts of service like volunteering with my local pantry and church. In the future, I want to be an artist who uses art as a form of activism. With my art, I’ve become more comfortable with myself and hope to share the comfort with others.
Bibiana Romero
age 18
Fabulous Flowers
Beatriz Favela is 38 years old, was born in Mexico, and was 3 years old when she came to the US. After 8 years in the flower business, she started learning about their colors and seasons and realized she was good as a saleslady. Her boss retired and sold her this location. She opened her own business 8 months ago. Some of the challenges were to get money to pay for products, workers, and rent. It was okay with Beatriz because the pros were always better. They were working with people and flowers and knowing the things she created would make people's day. Knowing people come and buy flowers to give to their loved ones makes it worth it. The projects she loves working on are making centerpieces for quinces and weddings, that’s her favorite part of the job.
Flores Con Amor. 774 S. San Pedro St., Los Angeles, California
Being part of this amazing family we created by just having a passion for flowers and the impact we have on everyday lives and events. The special moment we are part of by just a rose away.
ABOUT ME
My name is Bibiana. I am 18 years old and go by she/her pronouns. I’m a freshman in college studying film. I was born and raised in Los Angeles. I am a Chicana artist who enjoys landscape and candid photography. I enjoy capturing and sharing moments and images of family, friends, and community.
I really enjoy working with digital cameras, however, I’m interested in working more with film cameras and learning about the process of developing film images. I am open to learning and working with different formats of photography, and a major goal is to experiment and be able to create work using various types of cameras.
Brisa Munoz
age 18
Zenaida's Cafe
“Todo mundo podemos comer a precio razonable pero también saludable” – Dulce, owner of Zenaida’s Cafe named after her food-loving mother, Zenaida’s Cafe opened on a corner in the neighborhood of City Terrace Drive. Although she didn’t have initial experience, she persevered and succeeded in her business, a testimony to her hard work. There are little to no cafes in East LA like hers, so Zenaida’s space is truly special. Dulce wanted to bring something good to the community; she advocates for eating flavorful and healthy meals at reasonable prices. Zenaida’s cafe offers a variety of options, such as sandwiches, juices, smoothies, and salads. For breakfast, there are breakfast sandwiches, yogurt, and oatmeal. Dulce’s favorite dishes to make include berry smoothies and soy chorizo & egg breakfast sandwiches, which she recommends! Las Fotos Project allowed me to engage with a loving small business owner who shares my advocacy for healthy eating.
El Cafe de Zenaida. City Terrace
Dulce, the owner, holds a photo of her mother, whom the cafe is named after. She keeps the photo hung on the wall that she faces as she works, a daily reminder of why she opened Zenaida’s Cafe.
ABOUT ME
Brisa Munoz is an 18-year-old first-year UCLA student. Born in East Los Angeles to immigrant parents, she grew up with the mentality of always working hard to accomplish her dreams. Munoz would always see her people working hard for a living, just like her parents. She always tried to capture beautiful moments on her phone— she discovered that she had artistic interests in mind. She uses photography to document her life but hopes to use it to express herself. Brisa enjoys street and fashion photography, listening to various genres of music, dancing to R&B, and watching vintage and horror films. Although undeclared, she strives to become her boss, be financially free, and give her parents the life they deserve while pursuing a career in the arts and fashion.
Dahlia Kim Levy
age 17
LeeHwa Hanbok
Hanbok is an umbrella term used to refer to traditional ethnic Korean clothes. Since August 2022, I have worked at LeeHwa Hanbok and Wedding in Los Angeles’s Koreatown. Laura Park, the owner, is a fourth-generation hanbok maker, and I am documenting her business, her stories, and her art. For me, this project has been about connecting with my Korean culture and identity and capturing the tradition, skill, and delicacy that goes into the hanbok craft. We worked to make social media content appealing to younger generations to educate a wider audience on her beautiful family legacy.
Laura immigrated to the U.S. in 1986. Her business brought the traditional Korean trade to Los Angeles, and she continues to aim to target younger generations. LeeHwa has been open since 1993 and is now the largest hanbok house in the U.S.
Yeppo. Western & 6th
Yeppo: English romanization of the Korean word meaning "pretty." This photo is of my coworker Hailey, an intern at LeeHwa Hanbok. This image was taken on Western and 6th, across the street from the shop. Hailey told me the backdrop we used is a mural for one of the largest K-pop companies. The bright pink wall grabbed my attention because of how it complemented the details of the dresses we were wearing and photographing.
ABOUT ME
My name is Dahlia Kim Levy (she/they). I was born and raised in LA, am a third-generation Korean-American, and am a senior at Sequoyah High School. I love being creative and innovative and pride myself on being outspoken. I am very passionate about photography and have been taking photos since Freshman year. My art primarily consists of digital and analog photography, but I’ve also explored video, mixed media, and digital work. Stylistically, I find myself drawn to doing editorial/fashion photography and youth documentary work. This semester I’m highlighting a traditional Korean dress (Hanbok) shop. The intention behind this project is to explore my culture more personally while also experimenting with more commercial product-oriented photography.
Danilka
Foronda-Zanipatin
age 15
The Bizarre Shop
The building, the mural, the sign, and the merchandise make this particular shop stick out the most in the neighborhood. As a little kid, I wanted a dog, but my parents believed I was too young. In the summer of 2012, my parents took me to this shop we would always pass by. I remember how shocked I was to see a store filled with merchandise that ranged from art books, toys, jewelry, posters, etc. I looked around this large store and found this little toy dog. I learned later that the toy dog would do flips and found that mind-blowing as a kid. After we left the store, the toy dog never left my side and still works today. Without seeing Wacko’s sign, I would never have felt the enjoyment of being within a store with such a variety of interesting merchandise.
Jagged Neon Sign. 4633 Hollywood Blvd, Los Angeles
Wacko’s Soap Plant sign.
ABOUT ME
My name is Danilka Foronda-Zanipatin. I am Bolivian, Ecuadorian, and El Salvadorian. I was born in Vallejo, California but moved to LA with my family in 2018. I am currently a Sophomore at the Archer School for Girls where I play goalie for the Varsity fútbol team. I enjoy playing guitar, composing music, playing fútbol, skateboarding down steep hills in SF and LA, and reading psychology books. An artist that inspires me is Tupac Shakur. When I was in 2nd grade, I remember hearing Who Am I (What’s my name) by Snoop Dogg while helping my dad work in the backyard. I remember bobbing my head along to the beat and thinking this style of rap is cool. As I explored the genre of Old School Rap, the artist I liked the most was Tupac. Tupac’s songs have helped me understand the importance of speaking out and learning about issues people of color face daily, whether it is about relationships, mental health, encounters with the police, or facing institutional racism.
Eileen Villarreal
age 19
Easy Micro Mobility
Easy Micro Mobility started three years ago. Carlos Villarreal and Veronica Oropezan run the “float,” working on a contract with Bird to administer, carry, and charge 300 scooters, do repairs, and search for scooters that might be offline or stolen. Their assigned area is near a college campus and requires working throughout the night to meet the terms of the contract. Their work responsibilities include also reorganizing and parking the scooters into the designated parking spots provided by the school. While running their own business comes with flexibility with scheduling, some of the challenges include dealing with vandalism and expensive repairs. In East Los Angeles, many immigrants oftentimes have labor-based jobs or run small businesses employing workers. Through my photography, I wanted to shed light on the work that goes into these businesses and appreciate people who have a similar experience. I want to make the viewer aware of privileges that others might not have.
Spark! East Los Angeles
A typical day at ‘Easy Micro Mobility’ in which the owner, Carlos Villarreal performs repairs that require maintenance and a significant amount of skill, time, dedication, consistency, and responsibility to keep the business running.
ABOUT ME
My name is Eileen Villarreal. I am 19 years old and Mexican-American. I was born in Monterey Park but raised in East Los Angeles. My pronouns are she/her. I am a current Sophomore at Cal State Los Angeles studying Child Development to become a teacher, but I am also interested in tech. Some of my goals as a photographer include developing my photographic style and knowing how to maneuver the camera using a variety of techniques and manual settings. I enjoy photography because of the creative decisions a photographer can make. For example, you can choose how abstract to make a scene or object appear or how much detail to showcase and feature. Photography can make a viewer see through someone else’s perspective and give the artist freedom to manipulate how things are viewed (through lighting, angles, composition, etc.) I chose Digital Promotoras because it correlated with my desire to focus on my culture, heritage, and neighborhood, documenting my everyday life and things that go unnoticed.
Grace De Leon
age 14
Nick Metropolis Collectable
Nick Metropolis Collectable Furniture is a place where you can find the most random and eccentric things. You can find little houses, mirrors, instruments, and even jewelry. I will never get bored of going inside— every time is a little adventure. When you are there, you lose track of time, either because you’re discovering something new every second or listening to one of Nick’s crazy stories, like when he met George Harrison or Lana Del Rey. Not only is Nick a great storyteller, but he’s always helping the community in any way he can. Nick has a free-for-all table with food, clothes, and other necessities that are donated and exchanged by the community. The mantra he lives by is “Love thy neighbor,” which you can see written on the side of his store.
I Sky with my Little Eye. 1848 W Adams Blvd, Los Angeles, CA 90018
As soon as you enter the building you will be amazed by all the objects on display, never knowing where to look first. Every visit is exciting because the shop is always changing.
ABOUT ME
Grace De Leon is a 14-year-old girl born and raised in Los Angeles. She is a freshman at Hamilton High School. She is driven by love and expresses it as a form of art through music, poetry, or photography. Her interests outside of photography are playing the piano and guitar, film, theater, and tennis. She aspires to work in the film industry with success and positive recognition. Witnessing her older brother take photos sparked Grace’s interest in photography; he would teach her about manual focus settings and composition. She started loving it more by reading a book where she saw many photos. The book mesmerized her with the colors and different points of view all over Los Angeles. It was inspiring to see the places she's been to so many times and someone finding such beauty in the simple things. Fun fact: she will always be listening to music – from classical to Taylor Swift to the Neighborhood. She is still learning a lot at this age, overcoming challenges from her past and present.
Jade Carrera
age 17
The “Godfather” of Mariposa Avenue
I chose Don Pedro's Truck because his business is a part of my childhood. His truck has been located outside my apartment since the early 80s. When he first moved here, he opened up his business with his wife Doña Tiofila, and worked as a mechanic. Ever since then, he became THE vendor of Mariposa Street. You can step foot into our street and ask about him— anyone and everyone will say that he is the 'Godfather' of our neighborhood. He is a very influential mentor to all the kids in the neighborhood. Don Pedro is a humble soul, and although he came from nothing, he considers his success his riches. “Nunca se creen. Dejen que los gentes hagan lo que quieran. Es su propio vida. A que vivir.”
The "Godfather" of Mariposa Avenue. Romaine St., 90029
Coming down my apartment stairs, there is a mini market in front of me. Don Pedro's, the 'Godfather' truck, is the one we can rely on. During our financial struggles, after-school meals, or even a friendly voice— He is always there. As he poses in front of his truck in his mechanic suit, he drives inspiration for my future— just as he drove my mother to the hospital when she was in labor with me. Don Pedro is the glue and pillar of our community.
ABOUT ME
My name is Jade Carrera, I am a first-generation Mexican-American. I was born and raised in East Hollywood, Los Angeles. I am 17 years old and an Aquarius with a Leo moon and a Libra rising. If I were to describe myself as a color, I would be green. The color green represents change and growth, like in nature. I have always been the one in the friend group to share my opportunities and strengths with them. A big inspiration of mine is my mother. My mother is a hard-working street vendor, like the other vendors in my community, they are my inspiration. My photography journey started when I noticed the changes around my neighborhood due to gentrification. This change elevated my focus on my community and culture.
Keiry Miranda
age 17
The Place I Come Back To
Charley’s Mini Market is a small business that offers a variety of products, from cleaning products to party rental supplies. It is a store I grew up with— I would visit every time an ingredient was missing, the store I would visit every Thursday on my way home from school. In 2009 the family-owned business began as Emmanuel's Mini Market & Party supply. It wasn't until 2014 'Emmanuel' was replaced with their current display name: Charley. I have witnessed the street become vibrant— welcoming more people and new businesses. With more businesses, the tranquility once cherished was distorted by the bustling people and their cars blocking the streets. While the appearance of the street has changed beyond recognition, the store’s blue and yellow storefront has remained just like when it opened. I captured images encapsulating the welcoming environment provided, one I hold responsible for the nostalgia I feel today.
La Tiendita. Pico-Union
Mother and daughter tending to the orders of freshly made pupusas de Chicharrón, Frijoles, and Loroco; preparing the food with any extra curtido and salsas. A cold breeze begins to accompany the darkening sky and the only source keeping their hands warm is the heat deriving from the stove as they flip pupusas. While managing the food outside, they maintain awareness of their business inside, alternating at the cash register and offering a helping hand to the arriving customers.
ABOUT ME
Keiry Miranda is a young Salvadoran-American born and raised in LA. She has learned about her culture and others from growing up in a community infused with rich and diverse cultures. Her evolving love for photography began as a small child when she took the family camera and captured random photos, simply documenting her family. With this practice, she’s learned that photography can be a form of expression. Through her lens, she can document not just fun moments but also encapsulate meaning and awareness of the developing state of her community. She sees her photographic interpretations as a form of art that is universal. She finds it less challenging to tell a story with photography than through writing. With the tools she has, she plans to continue exploring various forms of photography and seeing how they can make an impact in her community.
Kristelle Uriostegui
age 14
The Latinx Plant Shop is an establishment where you can find different plants of bright colors you might not have seen before. Located in Boyle Heights you can visit them on Cesar Chavez Ave. and other small businesses. This shop is special to me, not just because of the plants but because of the happiness, it brings to the community. It also means a lot to my mom— she is obsessed with plants. She never skips a visit to the Latinx Plant Shop. This store has been around for two years and has never failed to impress me with its lovely aesthetic and friendly service. They have held events and continue to share information about their unique plants you can purchase. I have had many good memories here and have felt the warmth of the owners' smiles. It has been special watching them grow and accomplish more over time.
Breathing in Colors of Stillness. Boyle Heights, Los Angeles
There are many colors and stillness in life. It can be objects or people or many more but there is one that sticks out to me which is plants. They can be very beautiful but also healthy when you have them but when I have them it is like I am breathing in their colors and life. Their stillness and calmness make me relieved at times when I am stressed. Plants can give you many feelings. It is happiness.
ABOUT ME
Hi, my name is Kristelle Uriostegui, and a student at Roosevelt High School. I use the pronouns (she/her) and am currently a Las Fotos Project student. I am a 14-year-old living in Boyle Heights, Los Angeles. I wish to preserve the beauty and make new memories primarily through photos. I have always been into photography and the beauty of the world around me. I feel very confident when my hand touches the camera. When I take photos, it helps me not forget about moments that captured my attention. When I hear the word photography, I think of shapes, colors, angles, nature, and more importantly, community and people. I think the community is the most significant aspect of someone's life, and that's why I enjoy photographing them the most. The type of images I like to make are self-portraits and landscapes because I want to show the beauty of people and their communities.
Leslie Rosales
age 16
Señor Aranda
The small business I am highlighting this semester is the Maria Aranda Mini Market. It is located in South Central, below an apartment complex that has had the same mural of La Virgencita De Guadalupe on its front wall since I was five years old. Maria Aranda and her husband have been running their mini market for 20+ years and have raised their kids in South Central. I have been going to their market for as long as I can remember. From Hot Cheeto runs with my older siblings to simply getting eggs for my mom— their market has always been my go-to. Mrs. & Mr. Aranda have seen me grow up, aided my family through periods of hardship, and continued to instill the importance of hard work in me not only through words of encouragement but through example. This is what I hope to spotlight in my community.
Señor Aranda. South Central, Los Angeles
Señor Aranda, the husband of Maria Aranda and co-owner of Maria Aranda Mini-Market— poses with his foot up behind the cash register. Surrounded by the items in his mini-market, he smiles for the camera. He begins to recount his stories through the decades behind the counter.
ABOUT ME
Leslie Rosales is a first-generation Latina living in L.A. She is currently 16 years old and a Junior at Roosevelt High School. Although she has attended school in Boyle Heights her whole life, Rosales was born and raised in South Central, Los Angeles. It is her first semester at Las Fotos Project, where she hopes to expand her skills in photography and explore her interest in advertising and documentary-style photography. Digital Promotoras is the first photography class she has taken despite her interest from a young age. Growing up in two underrepresented communities, she has witnessed firsthand the lack of resources and representation of female artists. She hopes to continue pursuing photography and expand the representation of Latina first-gen artists in her neighborhood.
Madison Ho
age 15
Home Away From Home
I was influenced by the homey nature of Armon's restaurant. I want people to see and think, "Oh what a nice dinner. I would like to go someday."
I make art for my enjoyment. A statement I like to tell myself after a successful process is, "This turned out well!" The best time I had there was being able to make friends. I was able to make friends outside of school, and having fun was a great experience with everyone. My mentor was so kind to me, making me feel comfortable. My time at Las Fotos helped me open up from my walls as I grew around me. I would love to join next semester.
Comfort. 5056 Eagle Rock Blvd, Los Angeles
Within the photo, there are three people. May, one of the four owners working, a customer waving someone to part ways with the Dinner, and my mother, Christina, skimming through the menu for a meal to eat. The photo shows that it was just me and my mom sitting in the front corner of the Dinner, spending mother and daughter time together, the place we call a “home away from home.”
ABOUT ME
My name is Madison Ho. My pronouns are she/her. I grew up in a family of 9— 5 animals included. I have a passion for photography and any type of art. I have a love for animals, and spending time with family and friends. But what I love most of all are night drives. I was born at Glendale Memorial Hospital, living in Eagle Rock. My birthday is March 21st, 2007, making me 15 years old. I am a sophomore in an LAUSD online school. I am loyal like a dog, kind, shy, understanding, calm, and sometimes cloudy. When I grow up, becoming a professional photographer is my dream. What I like about myself is that I am a balanced person with my personality. My parents are an inspiration to me, as well as BTS, Starykids, Takashi Murakami. One of the big turning points in my life that helped me was switching from public school to online school. That helped me mentally and improved my desire to do work on time.
Michelle Montenegro
age 19
Alma Montenegro, an Exploration of Domestic Labor
This work is an extension of a long-term project titled Alma Montenegro, which explores my mother’s experience pursuing the "American Dream." This series focuses on domestic labor in my home and the homes of her employers. Since my dad went on disability, my mom has been the sole provider in our household. Alongside my tias, who migrated from Guatemala to work to support their families, they have navigated the workforce as housekeepers and caretakers for families and businesses in LA for the last 30 years. Working daily from 6 am to 6 pm, most of her checks directly support her parents and family in Guatemala. By documenting the hardships of domestic labor, my project reflects the resilience of many communities of color under capitalism.
Mami at work in East Hollywood, LA. East Hollywood, LA
This is a photograph I made of my mom one early morning at the offices she cleans in East Hollywood, CA. She's wearing her purple scrubs and grey Asics that offer her the most support for spending the whole day on her feet.
ABOUT ME
Michelle Montenegro (she/her/Ella) is a 19-year-old Los Angeles-based mixed media artist. Her work is inspired by the social and historical contexts that influence the various layers of her identity and experiences. In this approach, Michelle’s work focuses on the issues of capitalism, migration, family ties, and intergenerational trauma within communities of color. She aims to redistribute power to her subjects and the different communities she belongs to through honest storytelling and photographic perspective. Michelle combines family photo archives, portrait photography, and collages to achieve her conceptual goals.
Michelle has been a Las Fotos Project student since 2019, participating in Esta Soy Yo (2), Digital Promotoras (2), and CEO classes. Through Las Fotos Project, Michelle has developed familiarity with digital photography, Adobe Lightroom, and Adobe Photoshop while building a community with other BIPOC youth photographers.
Myrka Santana
age 19
ESTRELLA DE EAST LA
East Los Angeles is one of the oldest neighborhoods in Los Angeles and the heart of Latino cultura and communida. East L.A. became a popular destination for immigrants in the 1990s to build and support their families. As a member of the community and a child of immigrants, I feel a connection with my neighborhood and a desire to tell the stories of the people and places who have been underrepresented through photography. East L.A. has fell victim to gentrification— through this project, I hope to spotlight businesses that are still alive and well. My project focuses on capturing the beauty and resilience of Latino-owned businesses in East L.A. I chose to photograph Liza’s Clothing & Gifts.
Liza's Clothing and Gifts. Lincoln Heights, East Los Angeles
Liza’s Clothing and Gifts is located in Lincoln Heights, sitting right across from Abraham Lincoln High School. Liza’s is a mom-and-pop shop that opened a few years after immigrating to the United States from Mexico. They have been open for over 20 years.
ABOUT ME
Myrka Santana is a 19-year-old Mexican-Honduran American artist raised in East Los Angeles. She is a first-generation student at the University of Southern California studying Business of Cinematic Arts. She enjoys nature walks, watching movies from the 90s, playing guitar, and listening to rock and roll. She applies creativity and open-mindedness in her everyday life to view the world from unique and various perspectives. Santana takes inspiration from the 1990s, film, and music. Her appreciation of her friends and surroundings fuels her creativity constantly in new ways!
Nadezhda Knight
age 17
Shalom
Shalom means peace. You can find that at the Shalom Deli Market on 7222 Sunset Blvd in the middle of West Hollywood— the most concentrated single Russian-speaking region in the US outside of New York. If you grew up coming from a Soviet background, you can find snacks that will remind you of the sweet taste of детство, or childhood. Sergey Rafailov is the man behind the operation. He came to Los Angeles in 1994. Rafailov soon found work selling produce in Plummer Park, where he realized there was a lack of quality Russian goods. This led him to open up Shalom with his brother Slava. It quickly became the gem of the neighborhood. With an inviting and engaging staff, a variety of traditional foods, and nostalgic Russian snacks and produce- Shalom market preserves the culture of a small ethnic enclave in Los Angeles.
Shalom. Shalom Deli Market on 7222 Sunset Blvd, Los Angeles, CA
Sergey Rafailov stands in front of one of his life’s biggest accomplishments, a Russian deli market named Shalom, which sells Russian meats, produce, and snacks. In the heart of Hollywood, the store attracts the neighborhood’s Russian-speaking community which is the second largest US city with immigrants from different Republics of the former Soviet Union. The name Shalom pays homage to Rafailov’s Jewish heritage. Shalom means May peace be with you in Hebrew, which is the overall feeling the store evokes.
ABOUT ME
Nadezhda Knight is a 17-year-old Belarusian girl interested in photography and art. She attends John Marshall Senior High school, where she is completing her senior year all too soon. She loves to play d-beat or soul-style drumming, take portrait-style photos, and make something she’s proud. Whether it is ceramics, a poem, or a collage, her exploration of diverse artistic mediums allows Nadia to express herself. She is inspired by her late father, whose passing influenced her to foster creativity through the arts. She grew up taking photos of her daily life on her iPad or her parents’ phone. The older she got, the fewer photos she took, but since she joined Las Fotos Project in 2021, she has reconnected with her passion for photography. She needs to make art to survive! She also loves messing with her cat, going to shows, and quoting books, for example, “Once you learn how to live, you learn how to die.” - Morrie Schwartz Tuesdays with Morrie.
Presley Mena
age 15
Vintage Vinyls
Sanford’s Record/Vintage Store originally served as a thrift store in the 1980s, Pico Rivera. Sanford’s would sometimes have vinyl in stock which became the reason for many people’s interest in the store. After a few years, the owner decided to convert the thrift store into a record store. Pico Rivera’s community consists mostly of Latinos. The store makes it its top priority to include musicians from the Latino community.
Digging. 4950 Deland Ave, Pico Rivera, CA 90660
Customer digging for new releases.
ABOUT ME
My name is Presley Marie Mena. I have always been passionate about art, in particular film and photography, but what intrigues me the most is film editing. For me, editing is a way to express my likes and interests through cinematography. Film and photography have positively impacted me. It has allowed me to express myself. One of my goals is to attend The School Of Visual Arts in New York, where I could achieve a degree in cinema/film to pursue a career as a director. I want to learn more about photography and hope to learn programs that could help me in my future career path. Just as film and photography have positively impacted me, I hope to learn more about my community and how I can leave a positive impact.
Sam Ramirez
age 14
A Living Time Capsule
I chose to focus on Fair Oaks Pharmacy, a local business in South Pasadena, because of its creativity and uniqueness. The current owners (a mother and her two sons) have owned the place for 20 years, but the business itself has been there for over 100 years. Operating as a pharmacy, soda fountain, and general store for retro-inspired candy and souvenirs, Fair Oaks Pharmacy interests me because of its admiration for times past and its dedication to servicing the local community. With this project, I want viewers to experience the nostalgia, comfort, and authenticity this business provides for anyone who visits.
Captured in Time. Fair Oaks Pharmacy, South Pasadena, Fair Oaks Street
Walking into Fair Oaks Pharmacy, a local business in South Pasadena, visitors are greeted by an overwhelming sense of warmth and happiness. The usual customers order from Brandon, the main face of the soda shop, who serves them happily. His mother, the pharmacist, takes care of other customers in the back, where they receive their medications. Anyone who enters the pharmacy can’t resist the joyous and genuine atmosphere that brings out the inner child in all of us.
ABOUT ME
My name is Samantha Ramirez, and I am a 14-year-old immigrant, artist, and athlete. I was born and raised in Mexico, where I lived for seven years before my family moved to the U.S. to find a better future. Because we moved around a lot, I struggled with my identity. Las Fotos Project gave me an outlet to explore my identity. It introduced me to what art can be and how a single moment captured in time can tell a story. LFP reminded me what it’s like to create from one’s heart and share that message with the world. Though I don’t have a clear path planned out, with Las Fotos Project, I have discovered a new world of possibilities. I aspire to be a visual artist or a cinematographer. The tools Las Fotos gave me have improved my skills as an artist and will continue to help me through my journey in this industry.