Meet Rezeta Veliu

Today we’d like to introduce you to Rezeta Veliu.

Hi Rezeta, can you start by introducing yourself? We’d love to learn more about how you got to where you are today. 
Los Angeles-based photographer. I was born and raised in Pristina, Kosovo. In 1999, at the age of 14, as a war refugee, I fled Kosovo for New York City with my family. 

My curiosity for cultures and passion for travel led me to live in Japan, China, Mexico City, Venice Beach, and Joshua Tree. 

This nomadic lifestyle fueled my creative journey as a photographer and actor. 

Mainly, my background as a refugee sparked my passion for photography. I wanted to enroll in Brooks Institute of Photography, but unable to afford the tuition, I decided to take my earnings at the time and invest in cameras (that I knew very little about) and taught myself strictly on Film. I began experimenting with my Nikon F3 35mm camera, and today is one of my favorite cameras to shoot with, as beat up and dented as it may be. 

Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not, what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
Life would be too boring if it was a smooth road, as Jane Birkin once said. It’s much more exciting, with bumps along the way. Without the struggles, accomplishments would mean a lot less. 

Thanks for sharing that. So, maybe next you can tell us a bit more about your work?
I have dedicated a few years to capturing different series, very different styles from one another, and I’ve definitely been inspired by a lot of great photographers, and it’s led me to find my style. 

One of my first series (ongoing), Njëriu Është Më i Fortë Se Guri (Woman is Stronger than a Rock) 

Exploring the symbiotic relationship between human vulnerability and the effortless acceptance of nature is the driving force of my work. 

Delving into the beauty of female liberation through the concurrent escapism and connection with Mother Earth is my ultimate goal, and I hope others enjoy my pictures as much as I have created them. 

Working with traditional black and white film in both 35mm and medium format, I explore the relationships between human vulnerability and the environment with a keen eye for capturing the decisive moment. 

The second ongoing series, “Los Angeles Series – “The Heartbeat of the City,” was driven by my desire to explore the pockets of this culturally rich and diverse city. 

I immersed myself in 43 different parts of LA over 6 months with the goal of depicting the energy and beauty that is often overlooked in a city that is better known for its glamor. 

I have recently won IPA 2023 First Prize for “Conceptual” photography for the Los Angeles Series and Honorable Mention for Njëriu Është Më i Fortë Se Guri. 

I’ve been a part of some amazing shows. Had a solo exhibition at Yiwei Gallery in Venice Beach. Very proud of my group exhibition with some of the most legendary female photographers at the Robert Berman Gallery at Bergamot Station. 

Is there anything else you’d like to share with our readers?
There is this stigma that you should only pursue one career, and it’s too late for doing something else in life. I think a person can do as many things as one wishes because the fulfillment you get by having those creative juices flowing is the greatest gift you can give to yourself. Limit is your biggest enemy. 

Contact Info:

• Website: www.rezetaveliu.com
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/rezetaphotography/

Image Credits
Rezeta Veliu