Meet Jerry “Lalo” Sanchez of Lalo Sanchez (Derby Classic Photos) & (Derby Productions) in Northeast

Today we’d like to introduce you to Jerry “Lalo” Sanchez.

So, before we jump into specific questions about the business, why don’t you give us some details about you and your story.
“From my childhood, my dreams & aspirations were simple–I wanted to edify, amaze & uplift in some creative capacity. I was raised in the heart of Los Angeles Downtown Los Angeles to Elysian Valley (Frogtown). I am the oldest of 5 siblings. My childhood idols were & still are Bruce Lee, Clint Eastwood, Cantinflas & Charlie Chaplin, lol. My father was a hard worker, a truck driver & hustler born in Texas & my mother was a homemaker born in Mexicali & very loving & beautiful. I have great memories, particularly of how stunning my folks were when they would get all dapper for fiestas & how they were the life of the party plus many fond memories of horseplay with my younger siblings. I can still remember my paper route & the few bucks I made just to blow on bike parts, candy, soda pops, etc. I loved the DTLA Cinema Palaces on Broadway. My pops was a good earner, but with all his shenanigans, we often were making ends meet. Let’s just say, I had my share of poverty meals & wore the same shoes for most of the school year. I learned how to shine my shoes pretty good! Every now and again we were okay and had meatloaf & mash potatoes with chocolate cake for dessert at Clifton’s Cafeteria. However, things took a turn to the dark side. Fast-forward to 1986, my father got into a confrontation with members of a biker gang over the noise & disturbance they were causing in front of my grandmother’s home & resulted in my father being a victim of a violent crime ending his life. This put me into a deep depression because my father was my big supporter in all that I did as a boy & pre-teen like; martial arts, sketching & street dancing. I essentially went mute & it was hard for me to focus on anything & was starting to go down the wrong path but a school teacher came to my rescue & got me involved with a place called “Inner City Cultural Center” a place for minority kids, multicultural performing & visual arts center founded by C.Bernard Jackson were I learned acting and participated in plays. I later entered a National youth acting competition at 17 years of age, “The Ira Aldridge Awards” winning 1st place with a monologue titled: The Somebody” based on a short story written by Danny Santiago. Reflecting back now, it was the characters life situations that I identified with, I was him! I was awarded a scholarship to continue acting at “The Lee Strasberg Theatre & Film Institute.” After about two years of studying method acting. performing, etc. I became a young father & put all my dreams on pause to provide for my firstborn daughter. Once, she went off to college, I started exploring my creative nature again by doing videography. I started a documentary on West Coast street dance history. Also, produced a few community events & music videos. In 2008, I was blessed with a second daughter. I directed a music video for Egyptian Lover titled: “Poppers Anthem.” In 2008, I was blessed with another daughter & I swore to document every moment of her life (something I wish I had done with my firstborn). This lead me to develop my photography skills. I love old movies & everything vintage the nostalgia takes me back to simpler & classier times.  Some of the legendary photographers that inspired me include: Laszlo Willinger, George Hurrell & Yousuf Karch. I love street photography, portraiture & vintage inspired conceptual shoots. In conclusion, all I do comes from love, a desire for a purposeful life, to document our modern times which is just as splendid as the decades before us. It’s simply how we choose to live in it. After much trials in life, I know time is short & should not be taken for granted. I aim to leave my mark & hopefully, we can all leave some inspiration to live on. So, let’s not cry over split milk 🙂

Has it been a smooth road?
Like I stated earlier, losing my father as a teenager had a big impact in my life. Most recently, my immediate family members have gone through some serious health issues & it has taught me how to be strong through crises & hardships by faith spiritually.
As it relates to the challenges I face in the field of dreams:
Ego’s
The Hypersensitive millennials
Gentrification
Existing Segregation
Funding

Just to name a few, but with a positive attitude, I overcome these obstacles & hope to bridge the differences where I can.

So let’s switch gears a bit and go into the Lalo Sanchez (Derby Classic Photos) & (Derby Productions) story. Tell us more about the business.
Derby Productions

Is a multi-media company that will produce/curate art & entertainment, short-films & historical educational tours of Los Angeles (still in development). Our projects will have a classic vintage touch. We hope to partner with venues, vendors & sponsors who understand our vision to Amaze, Edify & Uplift. Derby Productions essentially is part of an LA Collective of Artists known as “The LA Syndicate Artist Collective”. I dig the fact that we are all like-minded & having fun doing what we love while sharing L.A. History.

Our Art & Entertainment events are designed to provide a venue for local artists without having to pay commissions (when possible). Goal is to offer balance in diversity of artists, established & emerging both with high quality works. We hope to attract not just art-based audiences but everyday people looking for a new experience & enjoying it while becoming new art enthusiasts. The plan is to explore new ideas and increasing to larger and diversified audience groups. We aim to keep future events free & focus on art sales.

How do you think the industry will change over the next decade?
I see many collaborations in terms of artists with other artists combining different mediums. The audiences seem to be growing, but less and less art buyers. Its more of a social event – that’s why strategic marketing & adding a touch class back to the game is important!

Contact Info:

• Email: [email protected]
• Instagram: Lalo_Sanchez_Images & Derby_ Classic_ Photos

Image Credit:
Photo credit for personal photo & group photo by: Nathan Sebakijje
Family photo: Unknown
“Tiny Lion” (Flapper:)
“Esperanza” (Billie Holiday tribute)
“Miss Monica” (Old Glam sitting)
“Jose Lalo Garcia” Jr & “Mariana Cortez” (Mobster chap & gal in background)
“Cassidy Cook – Great Grand Daughter of Stan Laurel”
Photo credit for personal photo & group photo by: Nathan Sebakijje

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