Life & Work with Jeremy Pangilinan of Los Angeles

Today we’d like to introduce you to Jeremy Pangilinan

Hi Jeremy, so excited to have you with us today. What can you tell us about your story?
Wow. I always laugh a little when I think about how I started and the process of getting to where I am. I love the long story but really the A to B story is simple. It all revolves around my passions. I am passionate about living my life as an artist and the opportunities I get to share the stories of the people I come across. I’ll try to do that with a single image, a series of moving images, or with some other medium. And if I’m not doing that, I’ll try to fill my day with some other creative endeavor. Honestly, I love to rock climb and do yoga, and I find that extremely physical and creative. So if passion is how it started and how I got here, is there a way that that looks like? To me, it looks like a constant repeated pattern. Every day, I pretty much do the same thing. I wake up early, I work out, and then I come home( or got out ) to find something that puts me in a creative space. Shooting primarily but I’ll edit as well. Look at images. Draw. Write. Whatever. I’ll do something creative that feeds the passion. And sometimes, I’ll try to work on the business end of my job. That for me, is where being passionate and committed comes into play. Being a business person doesn’t always inspire me, so being passionate and committed to growing that side of me, helps me accomplish that.

Can you talk to us a bit about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned along the way. Looking back would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?
Smooth? No. But smoother than others? Yes. So many hurdles in my career but really all of it has been worth it. I gained skills and knowledge simply by going over the hurdles and feeling accomplished. Because I started when I was young, I had the hurdle of convincing clients I was worth the price regardless of my age. And then when I moved to Los Angeles, my hurdles were extremely different. Agencies, office politics, maneuvering around the Los Angeles photographic scene, and doing all of this while attending Otis College of Art and Design. But really, the question isn’t what were the struggles because we will have them everywhere we go. The Question is, what was my approach to solving them? I simply did what I was taught. Nose down and do the work. Whatever that looked like. Walk the pavement. Late late hours. Find my own way to move around the LA art politics scene. Find a way that didn’t compromise who I am for what I want. It sounds very bland and it is. But what you have to remember is that it looks very different for each of us. The common denominator is that we have to know where we should draw our lines. The lines of what are we willing to sacrifice to get there, the line of what does making it look like, and whatever else is out there that we may have to make hard decisions about.

Thanks for sharing that. So, maybe next you can tell us a bit more about your work?
I am an artist living in Los Angeles. My primary medium is photography and film but I have worked in many industries using my artistic vision since moving to Los Angeles. I have designed toys and shoes since leaving art school, I have directed commercials and videos for the commercial space, and obviously, I have created imagery for the fashion and entertainment industry here in Los Angeles. I would like to think I am known for being just someone talented w/vision who gives back to the community when he can. And honestly, that is enough for me. The more I work in the field, the more I recognize I don’t need accolades. I want a successful career making gorgeous work that I can be proud of but most importantly, I want opportunities to turn my good fortune into helping others. I think if anything, that is what I can be proud of. I can be proud that I really am doing beautiful work but also giving back to my community and the people I love.
And if I can say something extra, there is nothing special or something that sets me apart from others. There is nothing that separates me from any other artist living in Southern California. This world is absolutely filled with talented people. People who could easily take pictures of celebrities like Olivia Wilde or artists who can design children’s toys like I have. If there is anything truly that sets me apart from them, its opportunities. The world is filled with talented artists who simply need help breaking down barriers and given chances to show the world how talented they are. And I’m willing to help them do that.

What matters most to you? Why?
Hmmmm…. what matters most? My friends. My family. My health. Beyond those things? I believe we need to fight for what we believe in( I talked earlier about helping others walk their paths ). That matters to me. Because my brain is so involved with creating all the time, I have to remember to bring back focus on the people that matter to me. So to make that happen, I continually work on myself so that I am good in their lives. Sounds weird but I dont want to bring drama to their lives, so I make sure there is no drama in my life. Artistically? When it comes to a portrait, it matters to me that I get the chance to truly see my subject. That I get to look at them and see parts of them that is unseen. Then create work revolving around that. If I’m directing something? So many things matter. My crew. My client. My vision. But most importantly, I really care about expressing and telling the story in a fashion that gives it heart and emotion. When it comes to design? I’m looking to create something of beauty but ultimately with uncompromising function. And in life? I want to show up and give my heart in a way that expresses that the moment we are currently in, really matters.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.akafotoboy.com
• Instagram: akafotoboy
• Twitter: akafotoboy

Image Credits
1st Image: tpain
2nd Image: TI
3rd Image: Big Boi
4th image: Vince Staples
5th image: Stateside Clothing
6th image: Sheena Pena
7th image: Agent Provocateur
8th image: Brandy Melville