Meet Kalos of Kalogenic in Boyle Heights

Today we’d like to introduce you to Kalos.

So, before we jump into specific questions, why don’t you give us some details about you and your story.
My photography journey began back in 2017 while living on Catalina Island. I modeled for a photographer friend that summer and fell in love with expressing myself through visual art. Creative portraiture has given me the ability to talk about so many things; the stories of my life, the anxieties and fears that exist, and the acknowledgment of mental illnesses.

I come from a lot of grief and trauma, and it is shown through my work in various forms of whimsical and dark images.

In 2020, a lot of my art has transitioned in relevance to the virus and the many injustices that exist within our society. As a black female artist, a lot of my recent work has directly highlighted the harsh realities of the world we currently exist in surrounding racial injustice. I have and will continue to share my black experience to any and all viewers of my work.

Overall, has it been relatively smooth? If not, what were some of the struggles along the way?
The greatest challenges that I’ve faced are consistency, opportunities, and getting established. As a smaller artist, it is easy for someone like me to get written off simply because I do not have the numbers to advocate for my legitimacy as an artist for some people. Therefore, it is not uncommon for me to face rejection when I demand rightful payment for my time and services or to be flaked on when I have arranged shoots. People cannot always agree with you even when you know your worth as an artist. I’ve had to learn to be firm and unrelenting.

I am grateful for the challenges that I face. I’ve learned so much from hitting many brick walls along the way. Rejection doesn’t phase me, it inspires me. I’ve learned so much about myself and others and am continuing to absorb more knowledge every day.

Kalogenic – what should we know? What do you do best? What sets you apart from the competition?
Kalogenic is an ancient Greek term coined from metaphysics, translating to “the creation of beauty”. My photography prides itself in living up to the Kalogenic way through ethereal portraiture. I am known for my versatile yet distinctive colorful art style and semi-surreal editing. I believe what sets me apart from others is the ability for people to connect with my work on a deeper level that goes beyond the surface image. There is raw emotion in every photo that I share, and each project tells a deep story.

What makes me most proud is when I see a new Direct Message on Instagram from a beginner artist, or simply a supporter of my work – saying something along the lines of having been inspired by my photography or my words. It warms my heart to know that I’ve made an impression on someone; little old me caught the attention of a stranger.

What is “success” or “successful” for you?
Success is difficult to process. On one end, I do feel that I am successful as I am doing what I love as my full-time occupation. Creating art for a living is something that I dreamed of as a child, though I never saw it as sustainable. And yet, here I am. I live in a house with other artists and we are all living our dreams.

On the other end, due to society’s pressure to influence us to believe that only large sums of money can guarantee total success, I do sometimes feel anxious that I am not doing enough. I guess a happy medium for me is a place where I am consistently shooting – whether for a personal project or for my next month’s rent.

Contact Info:

• Phone: 8168002143
• Email: kalogenicphoto@gmail.com
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/kalogenic/?hl=en

Image Credit:
All images are portraits and self portraits by Kalogenic

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