Today we’d like to introduce you to Maya Umemoto Gorman.
Hi Maya, please kick things off for us with an introduction to yourself and your story.
Photography came to me later than some. I grew up dancing, went to school for dance, and decided to study film, then picked up a camera right before COVID. I’ve always been creative, and I’ve always loved making things, but I had never tapped into many visual mediums before picking up a camera. One day, I randomly found an old Minolta point-and-shoot in a vintage shop in Long Beach and decided to pick it up for fun. I took my first portraits on that camera and never looked back.
Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not, what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
Art is tough! It’s a tough career to be in. Learning photography was a lot of fun. Being a film shooter means trial and error, and then another trial… and maybe another error, so it may have been somewhat of a bumpy road, but it was a fun ride. I would say a lot of the struggles in being an artist are mental. You have to be your strongest cheerleader, and in the age of social media, it can be tough to stay grounded and remember what kind of art you want to make. There are times when I fall heavy into comparison or worry that I haven’t made progress. I would say it’s a struggle that will always be a part of the creative cycle, so I try to embrace it and keep pushing. I wouldn’t change a thing!
Can you tell our readers more about what you do and what you think sets you apart from others?
My favorite photos to take are portraits. I love connecting with people and seeing what we can create together. The most rewarding thing in the world is taking people’s favorite photo of themselves :~). My medium of choice is film, so I’d say I’m known for shooting film portraits. I would love to dabble more in fashion in the near future. My photos are expressive, colorful, and usually movement-forward. The longer I shoot, the more color and expression I itch to put in my images hahah. In a lot of ways, I think I subconsciously try to make images that are as colorful and fun as I wish the world around me was. I miss concept-heavy works with fun colors and campy poses!! I just want to have fun. Dance being a part of my being manifests in working with dancers and loving poses that have shape. Making a “good” image is always the goal, but what sets me apart is how important it is to me for there to be a some sort of fulfillment in the process. In a way, an image comes and goes. You make it, display it and it becomes a part of the insane amount of images we’re surrounded with every day. Creating a relationship with my model or making a memory for everyone on set is something that not only makes the image feel better but is a tangible feeling that makes my heart gush. There’s nothing like it. Being present in those moments are the most fulfilling parts of my process and I’m just lucky enough to create a physical image out of it.
What do you like and dislike about the city?
Los Angeles is the best and worst city in a lot of ways. What I love about it is that what it will be to you is completely in your hands. There’s so much happening at all times that you’re able to curate whatever experience you want to have! I was born and raised in the suburbs, so I didn’t always have that option. It’s something I try not to take for granted. As an artist, it can be hard with how oversaturated the market is. There are five people doing every single thing you’re doing at the same time as you. But, and it’s a big but, there’s a freedom in knowing that since everyone can do what you do, you might as well do whatever the hell you wanna do! Make what you want to make!
The thing I like least about the city is the somewhat surface-level communication style. Growing up in Northern California, I’m used to knowing everyone and feeling like I connect with new people whenever I meet them. That’s something I haven’t shook since moving here. Sometimes it feels like you meet people, and you can tell they assume they’ll probably never see you again, which is so far. I’m still getting used to how many people you meet every week, and how often you’ll have to re-introduce yourself to people hahah. I don’t mind it, it’s just something new for me.
Contact Info:
- Website: www.mayaumemoto.com
- Instagram: www.instagram.com/mayamoto_
