Framing Futures

Alejandra Martinez Cortes, age 17

ARTIST STATEMENT

The process of creating artwork stems from a memory and an experience. I value what I grew up with and what I have left of my childhood. Growing up, I valued a person's face as that's what told me everything about a situation. A person's feelings were never communicated. My art now represents that. I love the story an expression from a face can tell you, whether that is anger, annoyance, or confidence.

Andrea Popoca, age 17

ARTIST STATEMENT

I enjoy capturing candid moments—especially being able to freeze a joyful moment. Sports games are fast-paced, which is why I enjoy sports photography. I can take action shots as well as memorable crowd shots filled with emotion. I’ve had the opportunity to work with Angel City Football Club and gain professional experience on the pitch. I have learned new skills and techniques, such as adapting to rapid changes, which I will take into my developing career from this semester.

Ash Romero, age 17

ARTIST STATEMENT

My photos are quiet, moody, and contemplative. I treat my subjects with gentleness and am very mindful of how I use a camera to form a relationship with my subjects. While other artists scream, my photographs whisper. I explore new sides of myself with my subjects, often obscuring and shaping light in unique ways. I invite them into dark and meditative spaces with me to find the light that shines within them.

ABOUT ME

I am seventeen years old and I’ve grown up in both Puebla, Mexico and Los Angeles, California. In my four years at Las Fotos Project, I’ve truly expanded my world as an artist. I use photography to explore my culture and identities, connect with myself on a deeper emotional level, and manifest my creative visions. I’m always inspired by my sister, Maria, who has paved a path for me to find my true self. In my spare time, I enjoy reading, running, and listening to music. I am always on the lookout for Gothic Literature and horror fiction books, especially Isak Dinesen and Silvia Moreno-Garcia. As an avid runner, I've completed the Los Angeles Marathon five times.

Astrid Sanchez, age 19

ARTIST STATEMENT

As a queer photographer based in Los Angeles, Astrid has explored many styles during their time at Las Fotos Project, setting the foundation for their confidence to reveal themselves as an artist. This semester has allowed time to focus on documenting some of their closest companions – a partner, a best friend, a loved one, and even themselves. Through their lens, Astrid holds a visionary space for intimacy to blossom before their eyes.

Catherine Rodriguez, age 19

ARTIST STATEMENT

This semester Catherine delved into portraiture and studio photography. They practiced using different lighting and color techniques while integrating their personal artistry and voice. Catherine has participated in the Ford Theatre residency, The Canva partnership, and CalArts Community Arts Partnership film photography exhibition. This semester’s project mainly includes photographing people who represent her in some shape or form. Present themes in her photography this semester are femininity, anger, and vulnerability. She’s excited about displaying her work with v-flats and product photography.

Faviola Cruz, age 17

ARTIST STATEMENT

As I document these moments of alwaysness and forever, they come and go. Coming of age is something I'm excited about, but I don’t want to grow up yet. It is a reason for me to live life to the fullest, awaiting the next stage in life, even if I'm only left with nostalgic memories of my teenage years.

ABOUT ME

My name is Faviola Cruz and I am a 17 year-old-artist born and raised in Boyle Heights. My pronouns are she/her. I’m a current junior at Theodore Roosevelt High School. Some of the things I like are playing soccer, kpop, making bracelets, photography and editing.

Within the past 2 years I've expanded my photography experience with working and photographing at my school, at Las Fotos Project since spring of 2023-24, and with CalArts Community Arts Partnership. With the help of Las Fotos Project I was able to build up my skills and perspective, learning what it takes, and also the responsibilities within the workflow of being a photographer. Photography has opened a path of opportunities, allowing me to tell a story, share my work, creating still photos of core memories of mine, and a way to express myself.

Isabella Reyes, age 17

ARTIST STATEMENT

My focus was a tough one on me since my project was about finding myself back in my creative space. Like every teen that goes through hard times, I felt that I had lost the spark I had with photography. I was really bummed out since it’s something I love but after a semester off I was able to come back. I was able to fully put myself into these photos with love and precision. I hope you enjoy my photos as much as I do.

Josefina Chavez, age 17

ARTIST STATEMENT

Being a self-taught artist, I have always been driven by a desire to express myself. My intention is to preserve and freeze moments in time. A piece always sparks out of a vulnerable state. I think about how our memory becomes an unreliable source, as the act of remembering becomes unstable. Every time I take a self-portrait it will be perceived in many ways by others, but to me it will always be a captured moment where I felt something.

ABOUT ME

My name is Josefina Chavez (she/her). I was brought up in Echo Park, Los Angeles and I identify as Mexican. When thinking of the values that I have adopted throughout my lifetime, my biggest values are around family. My family is my example, guidance, and reason to strive forward as they didn’t come here for my generation to have less. I believe that others would describe me as quiet, shy, and observant. But I would describe myself to you as nostalgic, expressive, emotional and I've learned that those are not my flaws. The past and present are two things that intertwine in my current work and I think that it is beautiful to bring them together. Photography allows me to share so much of who I am without having to say much at all, and that’s what I love about it.

Karime Cebada, age 19

ARTIST STATEMENT

I like to project comfort upon my audience when my art is viewed. To do so, I like capturing portraits with different backgrounds or eras that people can connect to. I am inspired by various vintage designs, documenting, and retro styles. My goals are always to be innovative, obscure, and enthusiastic. I enjoy documenting daily activities and interaction with others as they can carry so much emotion and unity. While I demonstrate my art through portraits, candid photography is my main preference.

ABOUT ME

Karime Cebada is 19 years old, born in Mexico State and raised in East Los Ángeles, and is currently attending East Los Angeles college. She enjoys documenting, journalism, and exploring. She also does outreach and advocacy for a non-profit organization for victims of crime. She is drawn to Bruce Weber works since she loves the iconic model Kate Moss. She loves documenting and through her hardships she manages to continue her love for photography. Karime has always been passionate for old vintage designs and fascinated by anything that has to do with models that dominated the 90s. This sparked her interest in dim or mixtures of strong feminine colors. She dreams of pursuing documentary photography and retro modeling. She wants people to feel empowered and connected with the model's mood and lifestyle. She intentionally brings focus to what she is capturing with certain lighting. Her goal is to use lighting to evoke mood so viewers understand the message being projected.

Lauren Cho, age 18

ARTIST STATEMENT

Through her work and studies at the non-profit Las Fotos Project, Lauren has learned to harness a wide range of skills to combine design, art, and photography. Lauren first started with the Digital Promotoras class, which taught her the power of observation. With each class she takes, she has started to look beyond documentation and evolve into creative storytelling. Now, she seeks to contribute her unique perspective to projects both local and beyond.

ABOUT ME

My name is Lauren (she/her), and I'm a Korean-American artist and photographer from Los Angeles! I am currently a senior at Westridge School. This fall, I will be attending Carnegie Mellon University as a first-year student studying business.
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I started art in 2020 through different mediums like graphite, watercolor, and photography. Over time, my passion grew. I completed the Ryman Arts program at Otis and then found my way to Las Fotos Project. I am currently CEO-focused (also honed skills in Esta Soy Yo & Digital Promotoras).

Through photography, I was able to (re)connect with my neighborhood, new communities, and myself. It's been an extensive yet exciting journey, and I can't wait to continue developing my skills and growing as an artist.

Leslie Rosales, age 18

ARTIST STATEMENT

I hope to use my photography as a vehicle for challenging stereotypes, amplifying the voices and experiences of minorities, and fostering greater inclusivity in different spaces. By shining a spotlight on the beauty and resilience of my community, I hope to inspire empathy, understanding, and dialogue.

I invite viewers to see the world from a different perspective, to embrace the richness of cultural diversity, and to recognize the power of photography as a tool for social change and personal discovery.

ABOUT ME

Leslie Rosales is a first-generation Latina living in L.A. She is currently 18 years old and a senior at Roosevelt High School. She has attended school in Boyle Heights her whole life and was born and raised in South Central Los Angeles. This is her 4th semester at Las Fotos Project. Leslie specializes in documentary style photography and hopes to expand her interest in marketing and advertising. In her free time she enjoys hiking, going to the beach, and spending time with her best friends and family.

Meyuh G, age 19

ARTIST STATEMENT

Meyuh is a Los Angeles artist and photographer who explores different mediums and niches within her art. Based in the beautiful East Side of L.A., she’s exploring different ways of shooting with macro details, hypnotic portraits and event photography while challenging herself to be more diverse and advance her skills. Growing up around creatives, she hopes to continue to progress and lift up other artists by capturing their process and photographing them in their element.

ABOUT ME

Meyuh is a Los Angeles artist and photographer who explores different mediums and niches within her art. Based in the beautiful Eastside of L.A., she experiments with different ways of shooting with macro details, hypnotic portraits and event photography, challenging herself to diversify and advance her skills. As she's starting out, she likes to see her photos as statement pieces, as statements from the models and what they would like to represent, or as the artist herself. Growing up around creatives, she hopes to continue to grow and lift up other artists by capturing their process or them in their element.

“I love the idea of uplifting others and empowering them through my photos.”

MJ Joya, age 17

ARTIST STATEMENT

My name is Maryjane also known as Mj, I am a 17-year-old high school student with a specialty in environmental portraiture and events. This semester I have been focusing on my clientele and personal work. I have had so much fun this semester with the gigs I have been hired for and with meeting new people! My portraits reflect a component of bright happy colors, and a sense of joy, showing huge smiles!

ABOUT ME

MaryJane Joya is a 17-year-old high school student based in South Central, Los Angeles. They started their photography journey in 2018 and have continued to improve their skills with Las Fotos Project since 2019. They focus on environmental portraiture, but are most comfortable with special events. MaryJane has done many types of gigs but highlights two of the most notable: Nike’s release of Air Max, and concert photography for The FORD theater. Maryjane is heavily inspired by their family and LFP mentors. Maryjane greatly appreciates all forms of photography niches, and this semester they have tried family, maternity and studio photography. After graduation, they wish to study abroad majoring in photography and run their own photography studio.

Riley Sotomayor, age 19

ARTIST STATEMENT

Time is precious, one should bask in the warmth of its presence, for many things are missed with a blink of the eye.

Ruth Gutierrez, age 19

ARTIST STATEMENT

As a portrait photographer, I draw inspiration from the colors of my location, the emotion of my subjects and the desire to immerse my viewers into my vivid world. I use film, digital and mixed media to create thought-provoking images that encourage one to look deeper and evoke a sense of wonder. My goal is to continue creating images that express the way I see the world.

ABOUT ME

A queer photographer from Highland Park, Ruth Gutierrez has been a lover of art since she was little. Constantly experimenting with different mediums like fashion and painting, her own bedroom serves as a place to showcase her latest creations. Getting inspiration from movie clips, magazines, and the world as a whole, Ruth likes to mess with the things she sees and make them her own. It was in 2016 when Ruth first discovered her love of photography and she hasn't looked back since, playing with and expanding her point of view with both film and digital formats and merging them together. Most recently, she has completed an internship with the Getty Museum and aims to continue working in the creative arts.

Semmia (Mía Leonor Rovira), age 15

ARTIST STATEMENT

Ella quien es creadora
Con alma enamorada con la vida
Siempre con su cámara en mano
Tomando fotos de su comunidad querida
Raised in protest
Her art is a tool of resistance
An advocate of her community, she fights against Indigenous dispossession
Las comunidades indígenas siempre cuidaron la tierra,
We know it best. Siempre nos quisieron enterrar, pero olvidan que somos semillas.
Desde Oaxaca a Palestina solidaridad indígena.

ABOUT ME

Semmia is a 15 y/o Zapotec-identifying photographer born and raised in the city of Los Angeles. Growing up, she quickly recognized the lack of representation that her community received in the media. As a result, she dedicates herself to encompassing the beauty of her heritage through her work, destigmatizing her culture and unapologetically representing her community. With these efforts her work may pave the path for newer generations to grow up confidently with themselves and their ancestral traditions.

Sofia Gurrola, age 18

ARTIST STATEMENT

Photography has been an outlet for me to commemorate the experiences I go through and the people I meet. I try to carry my camera to most places I go but I always find myself using my camera when spending time with friends. That is when I usually take my best photos. Community and a sense of belonging is an integral value for me, and photography, especially at Las Fotos Project, has given me that.

Uzuri Ray, age 16

ARTIST STATEMENT

This semester I wanted to explore the colors that shine through my life, as I struggle with balancing school, work, and life. In my work, colors represent the different relationships that I hold with my close ones. I not only wanted to explore my own life but also the colors in the events that I am hired to shoot, where I show the closeness and love through my images.

ABOUT ME

Hi, I'm Uzuri Ray, a 16-year-old Mexican-American lifestyle photographer based in Boyle Heights. My photography journey began in 9th grade when my mother enrolled me in the Las Fotos Project. Through my photography, I aim to preserve special memories and serve as the historian of my family. I focus primarily on candid, lifestyle, portraiture, capturing genuine moments that reflect my subjects’ true personalities and joy. I've gained experience shooting various subjects in diverse environments, including concert photography at The Ford Theater, capturing games for Angel City Football Club, and exploring underwater photography.

Vincent Rosado, age 17

ARTIST STATEMENT

My projects revolve around photographing the connections and closeness that both sides of my family have, mainly focusing on the women in my life and how they impact every moment of it. I include family, connection, brown and Indigenous folks. Focusing on the now and the indigeneity we have, I am finding a way to combine these identities and to express them in my everyday life, cherishing the connections I have with them and the connection they have with the area around them.

ABOUT ME

Vincent Rosado is an Indigenous Mexican-Salvadorean 17-year-old photographer from Lincoln Heights, raised in Northeast L.A. With their culture influencing their photography, Vincent likes to do environmental portraits that capture a lot about each subject and tell a story.