Today we’d like to introduce you to Vin Weathermon.
Vin, can you briefly walk us through your story – how you started and how you got to where you are today.
I’m originally from Long Beach, and in my youth, I tried many different paths until I stumbled into photography. I was working at McDonnell Douglas Aircraft which is a military facility, and ended up taking photos of WWII era machinery that was going to salvage, stored in huge, dark warehouses with giant racks of strange old stuff. I got to travel a bit around the country and started to experiment with a 35-mm camera. Eventually I got enough confidence to create a studio inside my home after I was encouraged by a local photographer.
At a really rough point in my life, I was laid off and became a single dad at the same time. I was forced to sell all my photography gear to stay afloat and I took a couple of side jobs to support my daughter and I. I did some courses in IT and got hired at a startup, I spent the next 20 years working my way up to a director position. Even in the beginning of my new life the photo bug didn’t let up and I ended up doing some movie stills as a favor for a friend.
As I was getting my career going, I really only had time to take some photos of my daughter, but as time went on I started doing side projects in the early days of internet graphics and digital photography. I’ve been balancing my career and my art for a long time, and since I developed an interest in renaissance portraiture I have decided that now is the time to pursue my passion and transition to a full-time life as an artist.
Overall, has it been relatively smooth? If not, what were some of the struggles along the way?
I am very grateful for the life I have, chaotic and demanding as it can be at times. My daughter who I raised as a single parent is now a mom herself, I have a little grandson. A couple of community college courses in IT propelled me into a whole new direction that has given me a career that I’m proud of.
My new renaissance portrait studio has been fueled by my desire to leave my fingerprints on the world, and I’m aware of how short life is so I don’t want to waste a minute of it. I am not a person short on that inner fire to bring my vision to life…The challenges I’ve faced have only enhanced and reinforced that for me.
Alright – so let’s talk business. Tell us about Portraits By Vin Weathermon – what should we know?
I’m a renaissance portraitist, specializing in wall-sized, handcrafted portraits that reveal your inner masterpiece. My portraits are about passion, inspiration, and boldness…There is nothing packaged or average about them from the craftsmanship to the stories we tell through our portrait subjects. My portraits give a home a soul with a palpable heartbeat as the inhabitants and guests stop and look at those that live there and see beyond their everyday personas.
My favorite aspect of my business is the opportunity I have in the moments of a session where someone maybe feels shy or self-conscious, but I get to capture the person I see they are beyond the mundane and superficial. I love the moment when they see their portrait for the first time and they see themselves in a new way. I believe you can accomplish so much more by seeing your best self every single day in the heart of your home. A Vin portrait endures for more than a century with proper care, and is the perfect way to immortalize a life worth living.
Any shoutouts? Who else deserves credit in this story – who has played a meaningful role?
First and foremost, my friends and family, my daughter especially. My colleagues that have been cheering me on as I started the studio up. Specific mentors would include the late Phillip Stewart Charis, Charles Lewis, and Bradford Rowley; each has contributed so much to my style and technique. I am so grateful for the contributions everyone has made to my life; the support, encouragement, and mentoring have made this new phase of my life possible.
Contact Info:
- Address: 14978 Sand Canyon Ave #B
Irvine, CA 92618 (turn on Burt Road, past La Quinta Inn) - Website: http://www.portraitsbyvin.com
- Phone: (855) 492-5527
- Email: vin@portraitsbyvin.com
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.
