September 12, 2016

Meet Anaheim Photographer: Kalvino Coria

Local Stories

Today we’d like to introduce you to Kalvino Coria.

Kalvino, please share your story with us. How did you get to where you are today?
What I usually like to tell people is that Tyra Banks jumpstarted my photography career.

Circa 2007, after many attempts at acting, modeling, and yes even singing (butchering the National Anthem is frowned upon apparently) I found solace when I stumbled upon the “smize” queen’s show, [Tyra Bank’s] America’s Next Top Model.

Her photoshoots and more specifically the photographic storytelling compelled me to pursue conceptual photography in hopes of expressing myself in ways that words failed me. At first, it started innocent enough with the first headshot I took of a dear friend (the last shot in my “Bella Gente” portfolio on my site) and soon I craved more. I was a bit stuck after this initial start, and after some college courses, I thankfully discovered artists such as David Lachapelle and Cindy Sherman, who seemed to go against the tide among their contemporaries and had such grand visions that often lead to controversy and discussions around their bodies of work.

My current body of work has subsequently has been touched by all of these people, and now I focus on the formation of identity and its outward manifestations, whether it’s in a subtle way like my portraits of others are, or more direct and demanding like in my self-portraits.

Has it been a smooth road?
Many hurdles have been met.

Sometimes shoots went awry– the weather gods rained down on multi-million dollar renovation and I had to use my assistant’s shoe laces to hold some of the refurbishments up and sometimes I have inner struggles.

The ladder of which has been the biggest hindrance yet the biggest source of inspiration to my career. While feeding into the tortured artist cliche, I think I learn so much more about myself and naturally about my subjects by living through so many introspective challenges.

I’m a queer Mexican American conceptual photographer (rolls off the tongue, I know) living in Southern California, I state, and sometimes just that in it of itself seems like a blessing disguised as a challenge.

Is there some part of you work that is particularly difficult?
The very same thing that makes this line of work so challenging is the very same thing that makes it rewarding, and something I never tire of: creating images that speak volumes to my subjects, whether that’s myself or others.

At this stage in my career, I have to get very creative and find clever solutions –from green screens to working in tight closet-like confinements– for clients who don’t necessarily have millions or even thousands, yet want something that’s original.

Sometimes the hardest part is sticking to my vision, and perception of someone or thing, in-spite some pushback (in the “golden-age” of selfies, everyone’s either hypercritical of their perception and want it to be squeaky cookie cutter clean, or are impervious) and while it usually works out and have the client thank me later, it becomes a stressful balancing act.

Really sometimes the hardest part is just choosing the best image, my sessions tend to be so fun that I pull many that I (we) love so that’s great too I suppose!

What are you striving for, what criteria or markers have you set as indicators of success?
I think for many, especially in my age bracket, success is defined by what society tells them and are staples of what’s expected: White picket fence, flashy cars, exuberant clothes,a profession/job they love, comfortable living arrangements, kids, and maybe a dog or two.

While there’s nothing wrong in desiring that, and there’s something to be desired in that former glory of the American Dream, for me success is more of a state of mind.

It’s about persevering or as some would call it, forming yourself out of “grit” in spite of failing repeatedly. To me, success brings to mind someone who knows their value, their sense of purpose and place in the world and lives their lives as true to them as they can and puts that forth into the universe. Everything else is a byproduct.

I would also accept someone telling me they had an endless supply of pizza as a definite sign of success. (I kid, maybe…haha)

What are your plans for the future?
The possibilities are endless, really!

Once I pay off some of my expenses kind of holding me back at the moment, I’d say I’m open to moving out of California, opening a brick and mortar studio, traveling back and forth to California, New York and other international points. Photographing everyday people to the biggest names my little heart can dream of! (Gaga, FKA Twigs, Cindy Sherman, just to name a few, call me!)

I’m planning on broadening a project I’ve kept under wraps that touches on mental health issues within LGBT youth–something that almost took my life– by photographing as many people who would be willing to have me, across the U.S. and dare I say the outskirts of this world?

As contradictory as it may sound to what I’ve been talking about, I’m really looking forward to my first million dollars. I have so much I want to do on a local and more macro sense and getting the funds to boot would be such a tremendous start to boot!

Other than that, I look forward to my next pizza slice and a nice cold drink to wash it down.

Pricing:

there isn’t any pricing per say as each one of my shoot is really custom tailored to meet everyone’s visions, budgets, and timeframes in mind.
I’ve worked well within the confinements of a shoestring budget and have properly run budgets exceeding the thousands so no task is too small or big for me and my team
I do offer collaborations with makeup artists and hairstylists and that can range from $60 to $500 and upwards depending again on your needs and vision

Contact Info: