Meet Sydney Irene of Obscura Imagery in Downtown Los Angeles

Today we’d like to introduce you to Sydney Irene.

Sydney, please share your story with us. How did you get to where you are today?
My journey as a creative started back when I still lived in Columbus, Ohio. Back in 2016, I had taken a step back from my current path as an agency represented model. I had grown weary of the industry from that side of the camera and found myself wanting to create more than be a canvas. Thus, I picked up my iPhone and began shooting videos. To me, it didn’t matter much that I didn’t have a big camera. I was taught long before this that it was not the tools that made the artist, it was the artist and how to use what’s available to you. At this time, I was also working two jobs, neither that made me very happy. It was then at 24 years old, I decided to apply to art school to get a stronger foundation under my craft – however I was never much of a traditional student and dropped out after a semester.

While art school provided many opportunities to my peers, I found it did not satisfy what I was looking for. In fact, it drove me to dislike my craft for the very first time, and that is why I walked away. Upon leaving art school, I knew that I needed to get out of the midwest, and for lack of a better term — Shoot my shot in the city of Angels.

I moved to LA 6 months later and never looked back. I have been here three and a half years, and not all of them were easy by any means. However, I love what I do and to be able to create as a career is incredibly rewarding. I have been able to work with some of the best and brightest in the industry, shot numerous brands and traveled the world – All thanks to my craft. I currently live and work in the DTLA area and create impactful imagery + visuals for influencers, models and brands a like.

Has it been a smooth road?
I had no plan moving to LA – Only that I needed to be here. That in itself is a little crazy and looking back on it, I wouldn’t have it any other way. My first six months, I slept on my friend’s floor in her studio apartment on a blow-up mattress that would deflate halfway through the night. I made some bad business decisions and definitely have lost money and time. I have lost friends along the way and have also somehow made my own little family out here. I don’t see anything I went through as struggles – but rather lessons.

So, as you know, we’re impressed with Obscura Imagery – tell our readers more, for example what you’re most proud of and what sets you apart from others.
I am a one-woman creative team. I shoot, direct + edit everything I create and sometimes, I even bring back my make-up skills or style a set. I am known for my distinct style of videography and capturing people’s essence. I like to believe I am a chameleon in a sense that I can shift my style or shooting methods to whatever each set calls for. I love to connect with my talent on a deeper level than just taking a great photo of them – My mission every time I step behind the camera is to make sure that whoever is in front of my lens walks away with a new sense of confidence and self-love. To see themselves in a light that they might not have seen before. I love to show people how I see them – to get that reaction of “I can’t believe that’s me!” when showing the back of the camera. I believe that is one of the ways that set me apart from other creatives. It’s not really about ego for me, it’s all about my subject.

Let’s touch on your thoughts about our city – what do you like the most and least?
LA gave me the chance to spread my wings and develop my craft in a way that I don’t think I would have been able to do anywhere else in the world. However, living in DTLA has given me a new perspective on the darker sides of this city. I wish there was more attention and care given to the homeless crisis. Being in such close proximity to Skid Row has opened my eyes to just how dire this situation is. My heart breaks for those stuck down here and can’t seem to catch a break. The fact that LA doesn’t seem to care about them makes me even more sad.

Contact Info:

• Email: sydneyirene.taylor@gmail.com
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/siren.obscura/

Image Credit:
All photos taken by Sydney Irene

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