Rising Stars: Meet Elycia Young

Today we’d like to introduce you to Elycia Young.

Hi Elycia, we’re thrilled to have a chance to learn your story today. So, before we get into specifics, maybe you can briefly walk us through how you got to where you are today?
I am a 21-year-old street photographer. I’ve spent my life in South East LA. Raised in Compton, I’ve seen how the community has grown over the years. My journey in storytelling and photography started when I was in middle school. I was homeschooled so I didn’t have much to do besides write and tell stories to my younger sister. I first got into photography when I entered high school, I took a photography class as an elective because I thought it would be an easy A. My teacher for that class was great, sometimes you’ll get those teachers who are very straightforward about subjects, “just do this assignment and move on” but you could tell she was passionate about photography. She would give us great feedback and have us do group critiques. At the end of the semester she told me that I had a good eye for composition and finding stories that others might not see in the mundane and ordinary, she told me that if I kept working at this photography thing that I could be really successful. When the class finished, I realized that I had fallen in love with it!

I’m a very indecisive person, since I was a kid I would jump from hobby to hobby. Skateboarding, painting, crochet, roller skating, resin art, etc. So when I got into photography I thought it would be another phase, something I would get over in a couple of months or a year max. Here we are, five years later and still going strong. I got my first camera from my cousin in 2019 for my 18th birthday. I took it with me everywhere, never left home without it. I’d take pictures at grocery stores, on drives with my mom or friends, to the mall, etc. Not long after, everyone in my family and friend group knew me as “the photographer” even though I was an amateur. I started up an instagram (@elyciashoots if you were curious) and just started posting everything. I was never very consistent in posting so my following didn’t grow much and it was a bit discouraging but I’ve made some friends who push me to keep going and not focus on the numbers. I do this for me. I do this to tell stories. I’ve gone through phases of different types of photography but I keep circling back to street and documentary-style photography. It just makes sense to me.

I’m sure you wouldn’t say it’s been obstacle free, but so far would you say the journey have been a fairly smooth road?
Definitely not a smooth road. I’ve struggled with imposter syndrome and art blocks like most other artists. Sometimes it lasts a couple of days other times it can go on for months and I won’t be able to do anything cause there’s just nothing motivating me or I get a sense of “I’ll never be as good as them, so why try?” I tend to get in my head a lot and it’s something I still struggle with now. I just have to remind myself that I’ve come a long way from when I used to use my mom’s android to take pictures. Other people like my work and see potential in me, so obviously I’m doing something right.. right? That’s how I try to see it anyways.

As you know, we’re big fans of you and your work. For our readers who might not be as familiar what can you tell them about what you do?
I am a photographer. I love doing street and documentary photography but I will occasionally do portraits or event photography. I’m very proud of how far I’ve come and the connections I’ve made in the community. I struggle with social anxiety and putting myself out there to be found is terrifying but I’ve had good things come from it. I think what sets me apart from others in the community is how I view people. I enjoy going to busy, touristy places and finding a nice spot to sit and watch people go about their lives. I like to make up stories in my head about where they came from and why they’re here. I think those stories I make drive my photography. Personally, it makes me feel less alone in the world, knowing other people have their own lives to live and stories to tell. I find it comforting.

Risk taking is a topic that people have widely differing views on – we’d love to hear your thoughts.
I think taking risks is necessary to progress in life. Just generally, anything can be a risk.

Personally, I do take risks when it comes to my photography. I like going into Downtown LA sometimes to shoot and though it looks pretty, I wouldn’t call it the safest place. Not to say it’s particularly dangerous to go there but there are some crazy drivers in LA and some people who don’t know the concept of personal space. I also like climbing up to high places to get perfect shots. I’ve gotten hurt more times than I care to admit when I’m out with my camera. I’m honestly a bit surprised I haven’t gotten any serious injuries. Generally, I like a good adventure and you can’t have a good adventure without a bit of risk.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://linktr.ee/elyciashoots
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/elyciashoots/

Image Credits
Elycia Young