I’ve been shooting photos for quite some time but have been focused on graffiti for about ten years now. I first set out to capture the old gems I grew up seeing. Most of them no longer exist, but seeing how quickly times are changing made me feel a need to document as much as possible.
After my dad died, graffiti became an outlet, or an escape, that I had found. I ended up spending most of my time flicking to help take my mind off things.
I was born and raised in Boyle Heights, and I moved around a lot — couch surfing — when I was around 19 or 20 years old. I now reside in the 562 area.
I’m mostly in Los Angeles, but pushing up North at the moment. The farthest I’ve been is Miami to flick the Vista building. I’ll be traveling more next year. For now, I’m just trying to get in touch with the right people and build my network.
I try not to dwell on the past. I take things day by day, learning by trial and error. There have been times when I go back to the same spot over & over until I feel like what I’ve captured is right.
At the time I started sharing my photos online, I was shooting very differently, but I could always reflect my vision for the shot. I think that’s something people pick up on.
People really appreciate quality over quantity, as do I. I try to keep things as raw and authentic as possible. I think that’s what keeps my work growing and supported.
My approach is the same wherever I go. It’s coming with respect and a mentality of ‘Don’t look for trouble and you won’t find any.’ The same rules apply everywhere.
I do street photography outside of graffiti and little photo shoots sometimes, whatever sparks my creativity. I want to keep an open mind instead of setting limits on what I can do.
How have you seen LA graffiti merge and shift over the years?
Man, where do I start? You got people rappelling off buildings now, something that only started in the last couple of years. The bar keeps rising for what people can or will do. But graffiti is graffiti anywhere you go.
There’s different communities all over California, each with their own styles and subcultures. Everyone I’ve worked with has been a different experience. That’s what makes painting so dope, and I get to go out and capture it on the daily.
Outcomes are what trigger my creativity the most. I’ve been working really closely with some new people, and I’m excited to share what we’ve been up to.
Thank you to everyone who’s supported me. To my family and friends — love you guys. Big thanks to everyone at FA World Ent.
-Indiana Holmes for Dead Relatives.
