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Project


Creative Direction / Photography/Styling/Copywriting




Array Photo Journal - Image as Poetry


EDITORIAL TEAM

Model:
Marquette FW

Set and Prop Design:
Ava Jones

Photo Lab
Contact LA

Always inspired by the psychedelic predispositions of Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland it felt natural to shoot this editorial concept for Array Photo Journal’s Color Issue. Shot entirely on film as to capture the hue and vibrancy of the LA light. With set and prop design by Ava Jones to create a place that felt beween the Catapillar’s garden  hide out and a fantasy teenage bedroom. 



“As a teenager I would drive from my home near the projects of the San Fernando Valley through Laurel Canyon to Book Soup. On this drive I would watch the sceneray change from dirty gray concrete  to lush sycamore and electric hued  hanging bouganvillea. As I drove  shifting through the gears my thoughts would shift as well. I would let my imagination wander. Like drinking mushroom tea I would be transported to a world of Aldous Huxley inspired colours, of  his vibrant expereince of the hallucinatory, all hidden behind the hedge lined walls of Mt Olympus.

I would often try to imagine myself as the heroine, living a dizzingly colorful Tim Walker inspired life, but when I closed my eyes I could only picture blonde perfection, waif shaped bodies, the fanstasy never included someone like me. So when I became a photographer I wanted to try my best to re-create the stories I saw in my favourite fashion magazines but with women like me, so no one else would need to feel the sadness of not being able to feel like they deserve the fantasy.”
- S.L. Quintana for Array Photo Journal

S  L  Quintana

                                                                                                               



About me:

We cannot change the gaze unless we are the gazers.


Growing up in Los Angeles in the 90’s I was surrounded by the stories and storytellers of Hollywood. I wanted to be part of that history, and part of the stories that shape the way we view ourselves and others. Throughout my childhood and early adulthood I very rarely saw these stories depict me, depict women that were not sterotypically beautiful, conventional or easily identifiable. Not seeing myself reflected in the cultural narrative gave me a sense of not being worth the attention of culture as a whole. I realized the only way to change this was to be the one with the creative control to create narratives that are inclusive of all people.  You see, I never want another girl to look in the mirror and think think they are not worthy of the dream.

About my work:

Telling your brand’s story through visuals is just half  of my work.  There is also the initial creative development,  planning, strategy and the careful consideration of your data and analytics. As a true left brain - right brain individual I strive to help you make the content that speaks authentically to your audience. As someone with a background in the arts I seek to put color, composition and attention to detail at the center of my work. 

I truly believe content should deepen connections and create a moment that leaves an impact longer then the .25 seconds it flashes on a screen. 

Reach out I’d love to talk to you, here about your project and help you create your story.


Culture should include all people and all types.