Meet Handrew of East Los Angeles

Today we’d like to introduce you to Handrew.

Hi Handrew, so excited to have you with us today. What can you tell us about your story?
Hi! My full name is Handrew Alejandro Navia but I go as Kiba. I was born and raised in East Los Angeles, California.
I started doing photography back in 2019 when I purchased a used Nikon 3500 DSLR camera. Prior to the purchase I was always chasing the best on phone camera trying to take cool pictures. I saw the deal on Instagram and I thought it would be a good time to push myself to learn how to use a camera.
At the time I used it to take pictures of everything. Animals, family, etc. The. I had reached a limit. I couldn’t shoot in low light as I would like. I was really into car photography at the time with one of my best friends Erns who was really tapped into the car scene. I would attend his meets and shoot car photos and was not proud of the results. With time though I stopped shooting for about a year or two.
I became an EMT during Covid and started to work the craziest hours. 24hour shifts. Eventually 48hr shifts and let my creative drive die. I was luckily able to realize that work was not enough and I was starting to become depressed. I chased my creative side and came back into photography.
I also decided to go back into school. So I started to work much less and picked up a camera. I’m not going to lie. I’m usually someone that works for the things I want. Like I’ve been working since 16. I don’t really ask my parents for much. But I built up the courage to ask my mom for a Sony Mirrorless. She then blessed me with an A7CII and a laptop!? Like what. Partially because I decided to go back to school.
I was able to reconnect with Erns and he had moved into media. I’m also doing media now as well but I love the editorial photography look and just making my friends and others looks cool. I started to post a lot of my work on Instagram and realized that I wasn’t getting reach.
One of the first times I was like “I can def take this seriously” was about 2 years ago I think ? When I snuck my camera into rolling loud and took the craziest shots inside the pit. I LOVED IT. So much adrenaline in everybody’s faces. That’s when I realized event photography is my calling. I love being an emt but man I’ve always been a creative.
I started to really look into how other photographers make a name and quickly realized I kind of have to make video content. It took me forever to finally bite the bullet. I went to Joshua tree in my bday and idk I just felt good that day. I then decided to finally make a video edit somehow. I then made an edit at Joshua tree and posted it. TELL ME WHY THAT POST BLEW UP. Literally one of my first reels.
I then realized that reels was what going to push my work to people and I’m now on the grind with reels looking into meeting even more creators and going into local art shows and afters!

I’m sure it wasn’t obstacle-free, but would you say the journey has been fairly smooth so far?
It definitely has not. Idk if it’s in my blood or part of my culture but I’m ALWAYS working. I burn out a lot and sometimes I feel like stopping. I work still, go to school, and also work on my socials like it’s basically 3 jobs. On top of that I try my best to make time for the people I love. I had stopped with photography for about 2 years to lock in on other things but I came back to it. It was my sign that maybe Im just meant to be a photographer. One of the struggles right now is keeping content consistent. Posting 3 times a week is a lot right now so I at least try to post once a week to atleast remind people that I’m alive. Hoping instagrams algorithm leaves me to dust.

Alright, so let’s switch gears a bit and talk business. What should we know about your work?
I specialize in Event Media and Portrait/brand Photography. I feel like I’m known for getting into pits not really worrying about damaging my equipment or maybe just like a photography influencer ? Im not to sure just yet. I’m mostly proud of my growth since June. I started pushing reels and taking this photography influencer really seriously and it’s really been paying off. I feel like my quirkiness and I seriousness / down to earth approach sets me apart.

Any big plans?
I plan to hopefully be able to do this full time as I go to school. I love meeting new creatives and I always told myself I want to continue to surround myself around artists. I’ve been building up my gear. For multicam setups for djs. Adjustable lights for photography. Looking and planning future shoots I’d love to have. I’m really trying to go all out.

Pricing:

• $150 an hour shoot
• $250 digital & film
• $150 a set one camera photo and video
• $350 Multicam footage (until I build a bigger portfolio )
• All day price also available

Contact Info:

• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/kidkiba.media?stkn=MTIxbm51dTJsczNxZA%3D%3D&utm_source=qr

Image Credits
Kidkiba.media