Today we’d like to introduce you to Joey James Salehi.
Joey James, can you briefly walk us through your story – how you started and how you got to where you are today.
I’m a multimedia artist and photographer born and raised in Los Angeles, CA. I’ve always been a creative individual with an eye for presentation. As a young child, I was obsessed with things that were out of the norm for my age bracket. For example, I loved Halloween, not for the candy, but for the chance to build a life-size witch out of common household items every year. I was also fascinated by Chuck E. Cheese. I would beg my mom to take me there just so I could admire the animatronics and construction of the stage.
My love for creativity later channeled into a love for film. I fanboyed out for movies such as “The Addams Family”, “Who Framed Roger Rabbit”, “Bram Stoker’s Dracula” and so many more. While studying English Literature at UCLA, I worked for several large entertainment production companies and eventually made the decision to attend LA Film School post-graduation. In my two years at LA Film School, I focused on directing and production design and left with a solid reel and design portfolio. I went on to art direct many music videos, commercials and films all while exploring my own creative photography on the side.
After several years of working as an art director, I received an opportunity to try something new and be the buyer and product designer for several successful e-commerce stores. I became immersed in the fun world of novelty products and had the chance to design and manufacture products sold in major retail stores across the globe. The experience lasted several years and was a lot of fun but I knew my passion was my art. I eventually made the decision to focus solely on my own artwork – fast forward to 3 years later, it was the best decision I ever made. I’m living my dream, utilizing my love for pop culture and humor as well as my art department knowledge to create my own unique style of art and photography.
We’re always bombarded by how great it is to pursue your passion, etc. – but we’ve spoken with enough people to know that it’s not always easy. Overall, would you say things have been easy for you?
Perhaps, the most personal struggle has been connecting with other artists that inspire me. It wasn’t until the social media explosion, particularly Instagram, that people were able to express themselves visually in such a massive scale. Henceforth it’s been easier to discover fellow artists, set up collaborations, and reach so many great people with my own works.
Before I became a resident artist at Artists Corner Gallery in Hollywood, it was definitely a struggle connecting with galleries that acknowledged and encouraged my unique style. I researched domestic and international galleries for quite some time to find the perfect match. I’ve now participated in several successful shows in Miami and LA and plan on many more in the future.
Another ongoing struggle is the pursuit of workspace. I require adequate space without time restrictions since I build many of my own sets and props. Permanent studio space has become harder and harder to obtain in Los Angeles over the years. Overall, the road hasn’t always been smooth, but the bumps are the greatest lessons so I embrace them.
So, as you know, we’re impressed with Joey James Salehi – tell our readers more, for example, what you’re most proud of as a company and what sets you apart from others.
I’m an artist with my hands in many cookie jars. I specialize in bringing a creative direction to fashion photography, marketing, events and activations that is unique and at the forefront of things to come. I blend my love for pop culture with my desire to create an impactful and immersive experience for the viewer. I can come up with creative ways to give life to any project, then execute it myself or with a team for larger projects. This could involve setting up an unforgettable photo booth at an event or creating a lookbook suitable to fill walls at an art gallery. I love a challenge and I’m most proud of my resourcefulness and my ability to work with a range of budgets.
So, what’s next? Any big plans?
Ultimately, I plan to be a part of many more gallery shows and to collaborate with other artists and brands. I’d love to work with groups close to my heart, particularly animal rescue agencies and sanctuaries. A large-scale solo shows that showcase all of my artistic specialties is also in the works. The details have to be kept under wraps, but I promise it will offer many Instagram-able moments.
Contact Info:
- Website: www.joeyjamesphoto.com
- Phone: 818-486-1246
- Email: [email protected]
- Instagram: @joeyjamesphoto
Image Credit:
Andrew Soria, Anna Falzetta
Getting in touch: VoyageLA is built on recommendations from the community; it’s how we uncover hidden gems, so if you know someone who deserves recognition please let us know here.
