Meet Kelly Fogel

Today we’d like to introduce you to Kelly Fogel.

Every artist has a unique story. Can you briefly walk us through yours?
I grew up in Los Angeles and always had a passion for photography and storytelling. After graduating from college and while getting an MFA from CalArts I began my career in the music business at Maverick Records/WBR. In 2007 I left the record label to engage artists, musicians, and celebrities in Rock the Vote’s campaigns for the 2008 and 2012 presidential campaigns. I continued to consult for various non-profits and record labels always trying to connect influencers with charitable and humanitarian causes. I began a management company and worked with Ryan Beatty and Caught a Ghost until I decided to take a leap and pursue my own career in photography full time.

I have been focusing on documentary photography in villages and indigenous groups across Africa, India, Southeast Asia, and Colombia, with my current work focusing on Ethiopia’s Omo Valley region. My goal is to eventually create photography workshops in these villages so that the youth can learn to document their own environments and share their perspectives. I’m also a mentor for students in Los Angeles through the Pablove Shutterbugs program and Venice Arts.

Please tell us about your art.
I’m a photographer who focuses on documentary photography. I travel to the most remote areas I can get to with a hope of being able to explore humanity around the globe and observe both the vast similarities and differences of all people on this planet. It’s a fine line between observing and exploiting that I’m always conscious of. It’s about the journey of meeting so many people and sharing a smile or having a conversation that transcends language barriers.

When I was a child and learned that elephants were endangered, I went to the zoo with my disposable camera and took photos of them to be able to show future generations. Now I photograph them in the wild with the same awe and heartbreak that one day they will be gone along with so many species that are being killed off by human actions.

My hope is that people see my photos and connect with the eyes of the subject, whether human or animal and realize that we are all in this thing called life together.

What do you think is the biggest challenge facing artists today?
I think the biggest challenge facing artists today is an over-abundance of content/media and the speed at which it is consumed. Along with financial challenges as well. There is so much pressure where I grew up to go to school, get a job, have a career, have a family, etc., that it leaves very little time to be able to pause and create. I have luckily been able to float back and forth between the two worlds. I also have artist parents that both found their passion for art later in their lives – my dad started making incredible paintings in his 40s, and my mother just recently became a sculptor, and her work is astounding.

I’m working as a photographer on a documentary now about income inequality in Venice, CA, and the subjects of the film are all artists with families struggling to make and sell art at the same time as supporting their families.

How or where can people see your work? How can people support your work?
My work can be seen on my website: www.KellyFogel.com and Instagram @KellyFogelphotography

I’m working on a solo show in Los Angeles to present my work from the Omo Valley in Ethiopia.

I just released my fourth book, “Across the Omo Valley” containing portraits of four indigenous groups who are at a turning point in their traditional way of life stemming from changes in their source of water, modern influences of technology through cell phones and the internet and the influx of cultural tourism.

I also have a business in LA doing baby/family photography. I love working with kids and using my documentary style to capture candid portraits. The website for that is www.KellyFogelphotography.com.

January 31 – February 3, 2019:  Focus @ Photo LA, Barker Hangar, Santa Monica, CA
February 11 – March 13, 2019:  Tryst, Washington DC
February 22, 2019:  Chocolate & Art @ The Vortex, Los Angeles, CA
March 1 – 3, 2019:  Lurie Gallery, Los Angeles, CA

Contact Info:

• Address: Los Angeles, CA
• Website: www.KellyFogel.com
• Email: [email protected]
• Instagram: @kellyfogelphotography
• Other: www.KellyFogelPhotography.com

Image Credit:
Kelly Fogel
Daniel E.

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