Today we’d like to introduce you to Robert LeBlanc.
Robert, we’d love to hear your story and how you got to where you are today both personally and as an artist.
I grew up in a small town in Montana skateboarding which is where I developed my love for photography and pretty much any other good quality I have. Skating saved my life and gave me the ability to become the person who I am today, without skateboarding and photography I wouldn’t have had that outlet I needed to be the person who I am today. I always carried a little disposable camera around with me when was younger out skating and that’s where I caught the photography bug. My father was also a photography hobbyist, so when I was 14, he gifted me his old film camera, he was very helpful in the initial process as well.
I moved to Seattle right out of high-school and began starting to shoot a lot of photography in the streets while I was out skating. I ended up having two major injuries from skating and even though I still skate to this day, after getting hurt the second time I started to really focus on my photography as a career.
I moved to LA in 2011 and really felt at home when I landed here. I love this city and everything it offers, I’m proud to call LA home, and I can’t imagine any other place to be.
We’d love to hear more about your art. What do you do you do and why and what do you hope others will take away from your work?
I’m a documentary photographer. I’ve always been drawn to the grittiness of humans and society. I don’t know particularly why but that’s what my eyes and brain like to see. There something so much more powerful about images that are not polished and truly in the moment. I try to find beauty in the most uncommon places and people. I also look for a good story, I think photographers have a huge responsibility to document our small time on this planet so further generations can have a better understanding of people and cultures that came before them, and so they can learn from our mistakes to make this world a better place. I like to put people in places they rarely get to see or give them the perspective in someone’s else shoes.
I also find life extremely beautiful, and all the flaws in this world are what makes it so unique. Humor is a big one for me too, life can be pretty fucking funny.
The sterotype of a starving artist scares away many potentially talented artists from pursuing art – any advice or thoughts about how to deal with the financial concerns an aspiring artist might be concerned about?
Don’t give up. Take every “no” as motivation to keep pushing and mastering your craft. Hard work pays off and being confident in your work, but always be your hardest critic and push yourself to always do better and better.
Do you have any events or exhibitions coming up? Where would one go to see more of your work? How can people support you and your artwork?
My images are all over the interweb and my website is where I really spend time presenting my images correctly. I also have an Instagram I frequently post and take down photos. I published a book in 2015 called “Unlawful Conduct” that is offered in bookstores worldwide and I also sell prints upon request or through my online store. I’m currently working on a new book documenting current American culture that will be released sometime in 2019.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.photosbyrobertleblanc.com/
- Email: [email protected]
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/photosbyrobertleblanc/?hl=en
Image Credit:
Robert LeBlanc
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