Today we’d like to introduce you to Julian Guevara.
So, before we jump into specific questions about the business, why don’t you give us some details about you and your story.
I was born in Sylmar, CA in May 1992. Around the time I turned the age of ten my parents divorced and my eldest brother ran away from home. We lived place to place, eventually moving to Lancaster, CA. During this time, my mother was working long hours and living in a new town it felt like my younger brother and I were left all on our own most of the time. There was not much to do, we tried to keep our selfs busy by drawing, watching cartoons or listening to music. Around that time I eventually found deep comfort in art, film, music, imagery and the process of creating.
Around 7th grade, I was gifted this mini dv camcorder from my stepfather. I started documenting my neighborhood friends and I skateboarding through our town not knowing that some of this work will be in my future to come. During my High school years, I wouldn’t consider myself involved in any artistic outlet. I was always running around getting into trouble, dropping out of high school and just trying to find meaning or my purpose in life. I eventually got a job in a warehouse, and I thought this was it.
I guess this is where the story of my photography really begins, sometime in 2011 when I was going through old family photo albums and seeing these simple snapshots of my great grandmother, my tias, tios, photos of people who have past on and photos of my mother & father, all before they became parents. These photos were filled with so much life, love, quirks; unposed moments that gave me a deeper insight of who they were. I fell in love with that and wanted to create/document something like that for myself. I had only one friend that knew about photography at the time so I went to Junior and asked if he could show me how to work a camera. Later that day I went on eBay and ordered my first camera, the Yashica T4 and some film and waited anxiously. I began to carry my camera around everywhere photographing simple snapshots of my friends & family in everyday moments created a stylized documentation of my life. Within a few years, a simple hobby became something that I believe is my calling. I then decided to quit my job as a warehouse clerk and go to college to further my education in Art at Antelope Valley College.
During this time, I never would of thought that I would be creating the work that I am creating now, let alone have the opportunity to be able to create for a living. At AVC, there was a professor who really helped me figure out how to channel my voice, thinking, and fine tune my style. I still use the practice that he taught the class to this day to help me continue to analyze and make progress in my work.
Around the time I was finishing up the Associates in Arts program I found out that I was going to be a father, I then instantly knew it was time to capture raw, intimate, quirky, moment for a living. I have been doing so ever since, and I LOVE IT!
It’s funny, I always felt like I was weird kid always observing my surroundings and trying to make sense of it all; I still am. I think that’s the reason why I do what I do… Always learning, always making changes and wanting to improve.
Great, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
Oh, of course there were obstacles, but that’s all apart of the game we play… Nothing worth having comes easy. The only challenges that I can think of right now all have to do with financial situations, side gigs and the consistent movement that had to be done just to stay a float. For example, I was a lab associate for Advance Sports Photography and I remember the commute to Van Nuys from Lancaster, CA. My car just broke down and had no money to get it fixed or buy a new one. I would commute via bicycle, taking the metro to Burbank and riding all the way to the heart of San Fernando Valley dealing with flat tires, the scorching heat; riding in the rain while the streets would flood and being soaked. Sometimes the train would delay and I wouldn’t get back home till midnight still having to finish up class assignments, work on my business, edit photos before bed and I would have to get up early in the morning to do it all over again. It is an adventure, and I wouldn’t trade my experience for anything else.
Julian Guevara Photography – what should we know? What do you guys do best? What sets you apart from the competition?
I’m a Lifestyle, Portrait + Wedding photographer; an artist. I’m known for being a calm and easy going person who loves chatting and laughing with people I connect with during sessions. My approach always comes from a documentary approach, always putting the subject at ease in order to allow the moments to naturally unfound. I look to dig a little deeper; I want to tell a true story, create something that truly reflects and humanizes the subject rather than just making a pretty portrait. I love the raw intimate feelings from whatever the subject may be or may come from… weddings, portraits, family sessions, documentary work, landscapes, couples sessions, or lifestyle branding.
I’m proud to say that these photographs are a gift to the people in them as well to their loved ones. From the moments captured their story will only continue to grow and will always have these images to remind them of a certain moment in time.
What sets me apart from others would be the sensitivity, care, representation and respect for everyone that I work with.
What moment in your career do you look back most fondly on?
I am not sure, I feel I haven’t reached that one single proud moment yet. I celebrate the little victories… I’m still here.
Contact Info:
- Website: julianguevara.com
- Email: [email protected]
- Instagram: instagram.com/julianguevaraphoto
Image Credit:
Profile photo captured by Jesse Jaramillo
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