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

Hi Rico, how do you think about risk?
Taking risks is the best thing you can do on your life path. Taking risks artistically and with your career can be great to learn from. I have taken risks where the end result wasn’t what I would like but I learned a lot from that risk and use that knowledge I learned from that risk. I have taken risks where the end result is amazing and it also can create a stepping stone to the next part of the journey or it may lead you down another path which is very cool.

Can you open up a bit about your work and career? We’re big fans and we’d love for our community to learn more about your work.
I started out as a photographer as a form of self expression when I was 13. I used my own self as the subject and shot self portraits. I would also throw in some graphic designing to edit the photos and add to it. This form of self expression led me to doing freelance work and designing CD covers for bands at that age. I studied photography, graphics and videography in highschool and college. I started to shoot fashion at 18 and also shot fetish photography because I met a dominatrix who was a model. My work has been published in magazines and I have done many art shows to show my work of self expression, expression and fashion. I shot weddings, club photography, bands, fashion, boudoir, head shots, runway and product photography through the years and fashion videos and music videos. I won a award for a short fashion fetish film I did called “Liquid Stimulation.” Recently I been hiking a lot, San Gabriel Mountains and in the Angeles National Forest, when I hike I spot out cool locations to shoot work at, either it be fashion or for art, videos or photoshoots. I am most proud that I kept going on this journey because anything in the arts can be a struggle, but the experience from the arts is amazing. I met a lot of interesting people through it too.

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.
I would take them to the art district. There are a lot of good places to eat. I also would like to explore the Los Angeles river, a lot of history there including a lot movies, music videos and photoshoots were shot there. All of the art district is exciting to check out and I also would take them to the amazing after hour clubs near there.

Who else deserves some credit and recognition?
At this moment in my life I would like to dedicate my shoutout to Mark Manson the author of the book “The Subtle Art of Not Giving A F*ck”

Website: www.HotelHearts.com

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/hotel.hearts/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/RicoJCoria

Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/ricocoria

Other: Personal Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/rico.j.c/

Image Credits
Models: Ivy Nirvana, Copperhead, Miss Mary, Cat Ravyn, Audrey Gaddis and Jessica Kittredge Makeup Artist: Aleah Kraft Artistry and Lora Lynn Fashion Designers: Jane Doe Latex, Vagabond Kreations, Goddess Armor, You Play You Pay and Sultry Affair Style

Nominate Someone: ShoutoutLA is built on recommendations and shoutouts from the community; it’s how we uncover hidden gems, so if you or someone you know deserves recognition please let us know here.