Daily Inspiration: Meet Larsen Sotelo

Today we’d like to introduce you to Larsen Sotelo.

Hi Larsen, please kick things off for us with an introduction to yourself and your story.
I was born in the Philippines and grew up here in the States starting when I was 14 years of age. I graduated from Long Beach State with a degree of Graphic Design and went to work for a women’s clothing brand for about a decade. I was then laid off because the brand wanted an identity change, which I believe a blessing in disguise. I then pursued photography as a profession after countless of test shoots with friends, and I’ve been doing photography ever since. I’ve always been a visual artist, so photography was the perfect medium for me.

I’m sure you wouldn’t say it’s been obstacle free, but so far would you say the journey have been a fairly smooth road?
Not at all. Just like all freelance artists would say, some months you’ll have several jobs and some months you have very little. You have to be very versatile and have an array of creative media skills/knowledge to be able to stay a float. Identity or style was another obstacle I stumbled on in the beginning of my photography career. I was inspired by several photographers that I looked up to and I would sometime mimic of their photos. But then that’s when I realized I will never have my own style if I keep doing that. I started not to look at other photographers’ work and really just trusting my eye and vision of what I’m seeing during my shoots. I try not to think too much and let my intuition dictate what I want to shoot.

As you know, we’re big fans of you and your work. For our readers who might not be as familiar what can you tell them about what you do?
I’m a fashion/commercial and contemporary photographer based in Los Angeles. I have worked in the photography world for more than a decade. Known for my snapshot-casual style, my photography emotes a raw, carefree spirit and intimacy.

My work has been exhibited widely in notable galleries and has worked with Paco Rabanne, Casamigos, Lacoste, Vogue, Vice, Nylon, Flaunt, W Magazine, Fader, and US Magazine, as well as countless other brands and publications.

My style I would say is snapshot-casual style. My photography emotes a raw carefree spirit and intimacy. I like to shoot based on the model/subject and location. I try not to think too much and let my intuition dictate what I want to shoot.

Before we let you go, we’ve got to ask if you have any advice for those who are just starting out?
Just try to learn as much as possible. Do some research on established photographers and learn about their style of photography and how they think. I would also hit up your favorite local photographers and do internship for them. You will learn so much. Always ask questions and be observant as hell.

Pricing:

• Rate for a photoshoot starting at $3k/day

Contact Info:

• Website: www.larsensotelo.com
• Instagram: @larsen_sotelo
• Twitter: @larsen_sotelo
• Other: https://www.artsy.net/artist/larsen-sotelo 

Image Credits
Shiloh Fernandez Marta Pozzan Gabriel-Kane Day-Lewis The Naked and Famous Demitre Sullivan Ksenia Dubovitz