Photographer #11: Stephen Vanasco
STEPHEN VANASCO
LOS ANGELES, USA
34.0522° N, 118.2437° W
@stephenvanasco
1. Please give us a quick introduction to yourself.
My name is Stephen Vanasco. I am a Ny born LA raised photographer. I was heavily influenced by skateboarding growing up in the 90s. I found similar parallels between the independence and creativity that is demonstrated within skateboarding and photography. Since I have picked up a camera life has been far more enjoyable.
2. Were you visiting the place/country or do you live there?
I moved to L.A. at a very young age due to my father transplanting the family from NY out here when he started a new business. It has been an amazing city to grow with.
3. What can you tell us about the people in the shoot?
Kenny is the model in the photos I have made. I met him via Samys Camera, a local camera store/film lab where he works. He has been pretty motivated to get a modeling career going and he has been doing some awesome work with brands out here. I had a feeling he would be good to shoot this with and would appreciate the clothing.
4. Where did you do the shooting? Why did you choose this area?
The shoot was done in the building where my photography studio is in downtown LA. It is a historic building and I loved the old feeling of it. This part of downtown is filled with a lot of these classic structures that I t felt would be a good backdrop to share a story of Los Angeles. The light through out the day falls in a really beautiful way that I thought I would utilize it.
5. What are your favorite spots in this location?
I think the main one would be the loft area of the building with the stairways and the big windows. The light, the marble floor and the texture of the old wood all worked with the shoot.
6. What photographer/artist influences your photography?
I would saw Ralph Gibson had a massive impact on my photography. The ability to photograph various subject matter, the idea of approaching something with intent of composition and use of light and shadows. He reminded me that photography can be an art form and not just tool for documenting.
7. Famous last words – what would you like to share?
An old friend of mine told me this saying about 20 years ago and it has always stuck out to me….. “In life you don’t get what you deserve, you get what you negotiate.” Even in the realm of navigating through life as a photographer this saying has been so helpful. Thanks to A Kind of Guise for having me apart of this amazing project.
