Life & Work with Dylan Tabirara of Torrance

Today we’d like to introduce you to Dylan Tabirara.

Dylan, we appreciate you taking the time to share your story with us today. Where does your story begin?
I’ve always been into visuals, even before I knew what that really meant. As a kid, I liked anything that looked cool. Movie scenes, album covers, music videos. I didn’t think about what they meant or how they made people feel. I just liked how they looked and what caught my eye.

I was fortunate that my parents got me my first camera. That’s when things really started. I got into videography first, filming random clips and editing them into montage-style videos with music. It was just me trying things out and figuring out what looked good. I didn’t overthink it. I just liked putting things together and seeing what came out of it.

After that, I started getting into photography. I began with portraits of friends, then started shooting concerts and sports. That helped me get better at timing and reacting to what was happening in front of me. Later on, I started leaning into fashion, editorial, and conceptual shoots. I liked having more control and being able to build out ideas from the ground up.

Photography has become a big part of my life. It’s helped me stay creative and keep moving. I’ve met some of my closest friends through it and worked on things I never thought I’d be part of. It keeps me sharp, it keeps me curious, and it’s something I know I’ll always come back to.

We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
Over the past couple of years I became distant from my work more than once because I felt stuck and unsupported. I struggled with my identity and with self sabotage and at times found a strange comfort in those habits and in the stagnancy. It was a difficult cycle that affected not only my art but also bled into my daily life and the relationships with people close to me. Doubt and pressure became constant reminders that I was caught between wanting to move forward and feeling unsure of how to do so. There were moments when stepping back felt like the only option even though it left me feeling disconnected from the passion that once drove me.

At the start of this year things really began to shift for me. I’ve had the chance to meet and collaborate with a lot of new people and friends who have shown me genuine support, interest, and understanding. These connections have helped me appreciate how important community is not just for growing as an artist but for growing as a person. Being surrounded by these people has allowed me to focus more deeply and approach my work with greater purpose and intention. On top of that I’ve also felt my family’s support deepen over time which means more to me than I can say. Their belief in me is something that keeps me grounded every day. I’ve also learned to embrace change and accept it at it’s fullest extent and see it as a vital part of my path. I’m truly grateful to have found this group of people who remind me why I keep creating and inspire me to move forward with intention and heart.

Thanks for sharing that. So, maybe next you can tell us a bit more about your work?
My name is Dylan Tabirara. I’m a Filipino-American director, photographer, and digitech based in Los Angeles, CA. My photography sits at the intersection of fashion editorial and lived experience, blending visual storytelling with emotion and a sense of honesty. I’ve always been drawn to the emotional side of storytelling in photography. Everyone has their own way of seeing and sharing, but I try to make work that feels honest to me and rooted in real experiences.

What I’m most proud of isn’t just the work I’ve made but the people it’s connected. The community that’s formed around my photography means a lot to me. It’s the conversations, support, and sense of understanding that have grown from it that I value the most.

I’ve found that the most meaningful work happens when I create from a place of honesty. Photography has become a way for me to express parts of myself I don’t always know how to say out loud. Through storytelling, I aim to create something that moves people, something they can feel beyond the surface. That same energy flows into the space I share with others. I want the people I work with to feel present and connected, like we’re building something meaningful together.

What does success mean to you?
Success means a lot of different things to me. For a while I had a tough relationship with it. I used to think it was only about big accomplishments and constant progress. When work slowed down or things did not go as planned I was really hard on myself. Even now sometimes I fall back into that way of thinking. But I am learning to be kinder and more patient with myself.

Success is not always something you can see or measure. It is in the little moments too like being around people who truly matter, finally finishing something I have been putting off for weeks, or having the chance to chase my dreams no matter how small the steps. It is about moving forward with intention and heart even if the progress is slow or quiet.

For me success is not a final goal. It is made up of small moments of growth, connection, and perseverance that come together over time. That is what keeps me grounded and hopeful knowing that success is there when I am open to noticing it.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.dylantabirara.com/
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/dylantabirara/

Image Credits
Personal photo captured by Jeremy Aquino (@jer.aquino)

Portfolio photos captured by Dylan Tabirara (@dylantabirara)