Meet Los Angeles Photographer Trinette Denise

Today we’d like to introduce you to Trinette Denise.

Trinette, please share your story with us. How did you get to where you are today?
Well..I kinda got started in photography by accident, which now that I think about it, wasn’t an accident at all. Growing up, I was a very curious child and was really into art, drawing & collecting things like pages from magazines & photographs.

One rainy day, while playing in a parking lot in my neighborhood, I was approached by a young woman who explained to me that she was a photography student and had an assignment where she had to capture a lifestyle moment in black and white for her portfolio essay. She went on to show me her camera, which was a Canon by the way, and some of her work and asked if she could take my picture. Considering, I’ve never had any experience with what she was talking about, I asked her what should I do.

“Continue doing what you were doing before I came up to you,” she said. Easy enough I thought. So I continued dancing in the rain and puddle jumping with my black and white polka dot umbrella in hand as if to be the only one present in that moment.

After what sounded like 10 clicks, everything was manual & film back then, smiling she said, “I think I got it.” Being that I was such a curious child, I asked her what happens next and she went on to explain how the film will be developed and will produce images such as the ones in her portfolio. She also told me that in 3 days to meet her back at the same place, same time and she would have something for me. We said our thank yous, she gave me a hug and we went our separate ways.

Three days later I returned to the parking lot and there she was with photos in hand. I was in awe by what I saw and from that day forward, I knew that this was my calling. There was something about capturing a moment in time that fascinated me. I think I was about 11 or 12 then, Damn. I wish I never lost those photos but that’s another story..lol.

Anyhow, shortly thereafter, I was gifted a Canon camera which I still have to this day and have been on this journey in photography ever since. Everything that I have learned have been thru trial and error. I’m pretty much self-taught but did take a few college courses to familiarize myself to the technical aspects of photography but I’m more a creative photographer opposed to a lot of my photography colleagues who are technical photographers. My clients love that about me because I’m able to relate to them on a personal level.

I can honestly say that I’ve gotten where I am today because of hard work and those people who actually believed in me because I believed in myself but trust me, the journey was never easy. There was one particular time, not long ago, when I wanted to give up and I think I did for a moment. I put my camera away and watched it collect dust for years & literally avoided it like the plague. It was torture but I think it needed to be done to discover or re-discover who I was and have yet to become. It was very much a metamorphosis stage, you know like what a butterfly goes through. I love butterflies. Then one day, I emerged or shall I say re-emerged and here we are!

Has it been a smooth road?
As I indicated before it was never easy and wasn’t a smooth road but that is the beauty of the journey. Nothing in life should ever be easy, although we tend to think otherwise. Most obstacles I encountered had a lot to do with challenges in my personal life regarding those people who you expect to be in your corner and support you, but weren’t. There was a period though when my camera and some equipment was stolen which set me back.

I literally made images with a lower grade camera for about a year until I was able to obtain better equipment but to be honest, I believe that it doesn’t matter what equipment you use. It’s about whether or not you have talent if you’re creative enough and/or a visionary. I happen to believe those things play a major role in how you approach photography as well as the outcome of a photograph. It’s like a quote I came across many years ago that states, “Tools and techniques exist to help the artist realize their creative vision, not as a means to create it for them.” I forget where this is from but it always stuck with me.

What are some of the influences that have played the biggest role in your journey so far?
Yes. As I stated earlier in this interview, I took a few classes to learn the technical aspects of photography. My instructor Andy Delucia, who was also my mentor, taught me a lot about how to develop black and white negatives and translate them thru prints. He also was my guiding hand in teaching me how to use a camera.

I went to him for everything because, at that time, I felt that he was the only one who understood me and what I was trying to convey in photography. I remember during that period when I was on the verge of giving up, I called him and told him about all the obstacles I was facing and he told me, “You have something special & your composition is out of this world. How you see the world is so different than what I’ve seen in a long time. Keep at it (photography). The world needs more people like you.” I really miss him and owe so much to Andy…May he rest in peace.

Do you have a favorite type of client or project?
I really love projects that allow me to be creative. I am a huge lover of fashion, art, beauty, and music so any project that allows me to incorporate these elements and possibly include a high-profile celebrity client, I’m a happy girl. I can dream, right?

If you had to go back in time and start over, would you have done anything differently?
Hmm..If I had to start over, I don’t think I would do anything different. I am a true believer of everything happens for a reason and whatever has happened, or not happened on this journey, was part of the story; the divine reason. These experiences have shaped my life and I’m happy with who I’ve become as a person and in business.

Pricing:

• Standard rates begin at $350

Contact Info:

• Website: www.trinettedenise.com
• Phone: 213.375.8746
• Email: trinettedenise@gmail.com
• Instagram: Instagram @trinettedenise

Image Credit:
All images ©Trinette Denise | www.trinettedenise.com