We had the good fortune of connecting with Victor Arriola and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Victor, how has your background shaped the person you are today?
I was born in LA, and raised in different areas in the San Fernando Valley. North Hollywood is the city that I was around most.

I feel extremely honored to have been born here because of the very rich cultures surrounding us on many levels. I have more recently come to realize the impact this city has had on me because of the people who have and still are trying to build a better life for themselves. There are so many ethnicities that make up LA, but, Latin American plays such a vital role in this city and the melding of Central and South American people shows how minorities can and should keep growing together.

My photography is aimed towards showing the world that this city isnt about violence and drugs and whatever else movies/media portrays Los Angeles to be. It’s not just models and actors and going to Erwhon. As a city, we have tons more to offer than that. The melting pot of cultures and different areas gives us so many opportunities to learn. I also want people who grew/grow up here to know it’s possible to achieve more than what we think.

Let’s talk shop? Tell us more about your career, what can you share with our community?
Im most proud and excited about the unique perspective I have to share as a photographer. Im excited to create authentic communities to help people like myself grow as I have. If it wasn’t for the little community I have, it might’ve taken longer to have the experience I have now.

Though I have so much to learn, I’ve learned so much by doing everything I can to shoot as much as I can. The experience I get from failing, assessing, and always pushing my self to do better has been essential to my growth. If I dont know something, am doing something wrong, or struggling in anyway I make sure to learn more on the subject or ask those who have more experience. Aside from this and my love of learning and constantly educating myself on photography techniques, practices, and etc. BFA has also helped me grow because I’ve learned so much from many photographers in the agency and its allowed me to have so many insightful conversations with those in the industries I want to work in.

I wouldn’t say anything is easy, but my hunger for wanting to grow, learn, and be great at whatever I’m has helped me face the struggles of a freelance photographer/creative. My passion for representing the underrepresented of LA is what keeps me going.

The most important lesson I’ve learned is that life is a continuous learning experience. I want the world to know that my number one goal is life is to always be lifting up the BIPOC communities who deserve to be represented in LA and my work will always be aimed to do this in some way.

Let’s say your best friend was visiting the area and you wanted to show them the best time ever. Where would you take them? Give us a little itinerary – say it was a week long trip, where would you eat, drink, visit, hang out, etc.
Well, on a perfect day! It’d be breakfast at The Original Pantry Cafe, head over to Elysian Park and photograph and chill at a Lowrider cruise, watch a Dodgers game when its the perfect sunny weather. (Dodgers win of course). Drive over to 15th street and have some great food at the avenue 26 15th street night market. Then a drive over the hills for the nice views and cool breeze. oof

Who else deserves some credit and recognition?
Im always so grateful of my partner for supporting me through a career change, during COVID, and making sure I set out to do something I was actually happy doing for most of my life! Im also always thankful to my cousin and his partner, Zaid Arriola and Owen Kolasinski. Owen recommended me to BFA: Images Matter, where I’ve had so many amazing opportunities to work with top brands, work on events I never thought I would have anything to do with, and to learn about the entertainment/fashion industries while learning so much about photography along the way. I dont know where I’d be on this path if not for these amazing people!

Website: victorarriola.photography

Instagram: @victorarriolaphotography

Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/victor-arriola-66217b1a4/

Image Credits
@victorarriolaphotography

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