We had the good fortune of connecting with Luis Sicatristes Morales and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi LUIS SICATRISTES, let’s start by talking about what inspires you?
I was born and raised in South Central Los Angeles, a place that shaped me in ways both challenging and inspiring. The social determinants of health are anything but favorable for the community of South Central. Yet, despite these obstacles, I’m constantly moved by the people in my community who want to make a difference and give back. I am inspired by anyone that is just fighting to survive to support their families or fighting to exist in a de-evolutionizing society in which mainstream politics wants to refuse the existence of marginalized communities and individuals with intersectional identities. It is heartbreaking seeing injustices like the cost of living rising, i.e. gentrification, and the never-ending rise of xenophobia that imposes fear of deportations from the recent transition of power. The community’s resilience and commitment to creating change fuel my own passion for doing the same thing through photography and videography. I am inspired by individuals who take initiative and start their own grassroot efforts to help out the most vulnerable. I am inspired by individuals who are in touch with their roots and express their ancestral traditions. One of my current goals is to help uplift voices from my community through ethical storytelling. I started taking photographs with a fourth gen iphone – some of the shots from that phone are still some of my favorite photographs to this day. I took a film photography class at Glendale Community College and saved some money to buy a professional camera which I went with Fujifilm XT-2. I shoot in both digital and film. I have been shooting my digital photography and video with Fujifilm since 2017. For film I shoot medium format with a Pentax but mainly shoot large format with a 4×5 Speed Graphic.

Music has played a huge part in my life and a part of my documentations. Since I was 11 years old, Deftones has been my favorite band, and their influence has stayed with me ever since. I love darkwave, cumbias, mariachi and some metal. I am a goth at heart with mariachi ancestral roots from my abuelo who is a retired musician. My abuelo was a part of the biggest mariachi in Tamazula, Mexico around the 70s and 80s. He began playing around the age of 15 years old and is about to be 91 years old in March. He still plays and writes music – I think it is his writing and playing that keeps his mind sharp for his age. He literally sleeps next to his vihuela which is a large guitar. Growing up, I have listened to him sharing about his tours all over the world with the biggest artists from Mexico like Juan Gabriel, Vicente Fernandez, Lola Beltran, and Maria De Lourdes. It was because of a documentation I did of him I learned he played at the Hollywood Palladium which happens to be the venue I went to for my first Deftones show. It was documenting my abuelo’s life that inspired me to begin documenting more of my family and music I like.

I would love the opportunity to take photographs of Deftones someday, even if it is just for one show. I was lucky enough to see Deftones singer Chino Moreno’s other band Team Sleep for a live studio recording. I have had the dumb luck to be invited on stage at a Deftones show in Ventura, CA for a Halloween show dressed up as the wrestling legend, ‘Macho Man’ Randy Savage. I have met some of my best friends from Deftones shows. Those friends are genuinely good people and I hold them close to my heart. I feel very privileged to have checkmarked all of the goals I could experience as a Deftones fan. I think it caused an adverse effect in staying present at concerts as I have noticed it is increasingly more difficult for me to enjoy a show because my soul just wants to document the musician playing on stage. Another goal I want to put into the universe is to collaborate and photograph for a music album cover and direct a music video. I have been very lucky to have taken photographs of some of my favorite musicians including Mike Patton, Teri Gender Bender from Le Butcherrettes, Julieta Venegas and Hante.

Wrestling to me goes deeper than music since I started watching it when I was about 5 years old. I remember my fifth grade teacher Mr. Ruelas writing in my yearbook, “Luis, you can do so much better than becoming a wrestler.” It was the most offensive note in my yearbook even though I think he meant well. I ended up tutoring ten years later at my former elementary school and Mr. Ruelas, who was still working there, asked me if I remembered the note he wrote in my yearbook while laughing. I looked at him with a semi-fake smile and said ‘Yes, I remember’, as it still bothered me a bit. For the record, he was a good teacher. I was about ten years old when I went to see my first wrestling show which was CMLL (Consejo Mundial de Lucha Libre) which toured at the Olympic Auditorium (it is now a church) in downtown Los Angeles. My dad could not afford WWE (WWF back then) tickets and Lucha Libre Mexicana was more affordable. I have a very vivid memory of the show still to this day. I recall seeing brown families filling up all the seats at the auditorium. Before the show we met Super Porky (R.I.P) at Burger King who signed us autographs on BK napkins. My dad bought me an action figure of the mexican wrestling legend, Atlantis. My brother and primo went to the show as well and got action figures too of El Rayo de Jalisco and Mil Mascaras. They both gave me their action figures years later.. This is one of my most fondest memories I have. I did try wrestling school after I graduated High School around 2011.. A lot of people do not know that and that is because for a long time I feel like I failed my dream to become a wrestler. It was the most physically demanding training I ever experienced. I found it ten times more intense than training for Football or a triathlon (I was a triathlete at one point in my life). I made the choice not to continue as I was a full time college student with a full time job with barely enough time to go to the gym and do homework. I have a lot of respect for wrestlers who sacrificed everything to attempt to make it and happy for those who made it or are still fighting for their wrestling dreams. It was around 2018 that I traveled to Guadalajara Mexico and went to a CMLL show. I did not see the match card prior to the show, so I was surprised to find out Atlantis was wrestling when he made his entrance. The last time I saw him I had not even gone through puberty. I had my first opportunity to photograph a wrestling show in 2024, a wrestling show called ‘Lucha VaVoom’ which I hold to be one of my most proud documentations. I had been to one of their shows as a fan around 2014. I am inspired to take more photographs of wrestling in the near future as it allows me to switch between my inner child and a professional photographer. Another goal I have is to make a short documentary video of a wrestler. Wrestling is my first love, I still watch it to this day and will support it until I die.

Physical and mental health is also very important to me to be in a good headspace to get creative or collaborate. I went through heavy depression during the pandemic. I was a part of the first graduating class that experienced a virtual graduation online. At that time, shortly after graduating from UCR, I was working per-diem without health insurance and experienced a dramatic shift in my quality of life after experiencing my first physical injury. I still do not know how it happened but believe it was from cycling. Up to that point, I was very physically active in my life and was into triathlons. I had a goal to do a full iron-man but got as far as to complete one half ironman. From one day to the next, I was unable to walk. It was one of the most traumatizing moments as I was afraid I would be unable to walk like I used to. It put a pause on a lot of goals I had at the time. I went M.I.A from photography, friends, community and just life in general. My body still gets inflamed when I attempt to run to this day or sit for too long, but this is something I am trying to get better at managing day by day. I am hoping to return to a triathlon someday, but feel lucky my body doesn’t burn just to sit or stand. Being in nature, getting enough sleep, and eating healthy helps me to return to my creative space.

Alright, so let’s move onto what keeps you busy professionally?
I constantly ask myself: What is my intention? What story am I trying to tell? Over time, I’ve learned that photography isn’t just about capturing moments—it’s about understanding when to step back.

In 2019, I documented a Son Jarocho collective, Son Del Sereno, at the annual Fandango Fronterizo event. At this event, collectives from different parts of the world gather at the borderlands between San Ysidro and Tijuana to play Son Jarocho music, using their art as a form of cultural resistance and unity. My friend Ashley invited me to document the trip, and I will never forget it.

One of my favorite photographs I’ve ever taken is of the Son Jarocho musicians walking in unison along a path leading to the border. It was completely unplanned—they just happened to walk together, and to me, it visually captured the essence of their collective spirit and dedication to the community.

When we finally reached the border, I saw a father standing on the San Ysidro side, visiting his family on the Tijuana side. The only thing separating them was the fence. I had my camera in hand, ready to take the shot—it would have been an incredibly emotional image—but I chose not to. That moment remains imprinted in my memory like a photograph, and it reinforced something essential: the responsibility I hold as a photographer. Capturing that moment would have felt exploitative. This was a real family, doing what they could to see each other, and no photo could truly honor the weight of that moment. Choosing not to take the photo meant more than any image ever could.

This experience also made me more aware of how some photographers—especially those outside of the community—don’t always think twice before taking a photo and posting it for social media clout. Whether my view on that is right or wrong isn’t the point; rather, I think all photographers should take a few extra seconds to ask themselves: Why am I taking this photo? Who is it for?

We live in a time where people are quick to call out others for being tone-deaf or insensitive. But when someone’s intention is good—just misguided—I believe there’s value in inviting them into a conversation instead of immediately calling them out. Discussions matter because we can learn from each other. In photography, that means learning about ethical storytelling.

I use my camera to amplify voices in my community, support local businesses, and bring attention to traditions, services, and causes that matter. But with that comes responsibility. Many in my community are undocumented and fear exposure, which is why I remain mindful of safety. As documentarians, we must do better—minimizing identifiable details when photographing vulnerable individuals and always obtaining consent when telling deeply personal stories. These stories deserve to be told, but in a way that protects, rather than puts them at risk.

I also struggle with the ethics of sharing creative photography during times of crisis. When urgent issues unfold, I ask myself: Does this image deserve screen space? It may not always acknowledge what is going on in the world but I am constantly reflecting on how I can be more intentional with the work I put out even when it is playful.

Historically, my focus has been on creating a visual legacy for future generations—family who will be born long after I’m gone. I don’t want them to struggle to uncover their ancestry the way I did. My hope is that my work ensures they never forget where they came from. Even though I have publicly shared many photographs of my family, they represent only a fraction of what I have captured. Across two computers, I have taken around 30,000 images. And the ones I hold closest to my heart are those of family and friends.

One photograph that stands out the most is a portrait of my abuela, my tías, and my mom—an entire generation of women in my family. That image took a year of planning. It was my first time shooting studio portraits, so I spent months researching and learning. I interviewed my abuela, asking her about the colors, fruits, and vegetables she grew in her garden in El Grullo, Mexico, drawing inspiration from her memories to incorporate into the shoot. I invested in studio equipment, hired makeup artists, and sourced earrings and clothing from a local Oaxacan-owned store.

That day was beautiful. We spent the entire time smiling and laughing. My abuela, well into her 80s, had more energy than all of us—she stayed in front of the camera the longest and never once complained. She was embracing the moment. It was then that I learned something I had never known about her—she had been a model in her teens, posing with a rebozo. I had her wear a rebozo for our shoot, later stitching the two images together: my abuela as a young model and my abuela decades later, still full of life.

A tío from El Grullo recently told me that the original photographer who took her portrait still has the image. It would mean the world to track it down, compensate him, and obtain a physical copy—a piece of my ancestral history that I want to preserve.

Another photograph that holds deep meaning for me is of my abuelo dressed in his mariachi gear, a suit gifted to him by none other than Maria de Lourdes. I took the portrait in Tamazula de Gordiano, Jalisco, inside a family member’s hair salon. That day, I learned something that made me both laugh and ache a little—his neighbors assumed he was mentally unwell because he was sitting outside in his full mariachi uniform, looking lost. In reality, he was just waiting for me to arrive so we could take his portrait. I cherish this memory because it gave me the opportunity to get to know him better. Bless him.

When a client reaches out for family portraits, I understand that they’re not just asking for a photoshoot—they’re entrusting me with something deeply meaningful. Family portraits are more than images; they are heirlooms, visual legacies that will be passed down for generations. I take this responsibility seriously, ensuring that every session is intentional, heartfelt, and tailored to the family’s unique story. To make this experience as accessible and comfortable as possible, I provide mobile studio portrait services. This means I bring the studio to them.

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.
My best friend Star lives within the area and is my music twin. We are already planning on catching a few darkwave en español shows this year. We then tend to eat. The following are recommendations I would pitch to a friend not from the area:

To eat: Mercado La Paloma, Rocio’s Mexican Kitchen, BALAM Mexican Kitchen, Picaresca Barra de Cafe
To visit: Lucha VaVoom show, Griffith Park, El Pino, La Placita Olvera, Exposition Park Rose Garden, Elysian Park
To drink (coffee): TLC Coffee Co, Cafe Calle, Cafe de Mama, De La Tierra Café, The History Coffee, Ulew Coffee & Juice

Who else deserves some credit and recognition?
I want to give a shout out to my dad. He is the first person that comes to mind when it comes to why I began picking up a camera. He owned a heavy Sony VHS video-recorder he purchased in the 90s. He would record and archive all of the ‘travesuras’ my cousin and I, who are eight days apart in age, would subject the family in. I come from a big Mexican family and it was normal for us to live in a home with 15+ people with only three rooms. It was not easy for my parents, tios, and tias, but it was a happy childhood. We are so lucky some of those childhood moments are documented and stored. My brother and his wife just became parents and my nephew will be able to see his dad as a newborn thanks to the Sony VHS video recorder. A lot of the documentations I have poured my soul into is a direct reflection of my dad’s intention to archive important moments with family. I try to do the same thing and in the process have learned a lot about my ancestors. All of the photographs I take are ultimately for family members that will come after me like my nephew.

When it comes to my ride or die model, it is my mom. She is very patient with me. We have always had a great relationship and I think it is reflected in portraits I have taken of her. She is the most giving person I know and was the foundation towards having a nice childhood. I am thankful to both of my parents, both deserve credit. Both have worked so hard and sacrificed so much like many other immigrant families.

I want to shout out to my lovely fiance who has been patient and supportive of my work. She has been my model and photographer on portraits I’ve shared of myself, she has a great eye for attention to small details and provides great suggestions when I feel stuck. I appreciate her honesty when I ask for her opinion on photographs I’ve taken and trust her judgement.

Shout out to Ave and his family. Ave has been a huge supporter of mine for photography and triathlons. He was the best coach and mentor I have ever had and his family treated me like family. They helped me when I was struggling at UCR.

Shout out to Yadira Arevalo – she was the first person who provided me with my first paid photography opportunity and connected me to other opportunities in South Central. She helped me realize my worth and made sure other opportunities were paying me as well. She is like a tia – I have so much respect and admiration for her.

Shout out to my family from El Grullo and Tamazula. Even though I grew up in the U.S., their unconditional love whenever I return to Mexico is felt deeply in my heart.

Shoutout to Son Del Valle, and the autonomous space Eastside Café—a selfless and inspiring group of people who give back to the community.

I want to take a moment to shout out the photographers who didn’t gatekeep, who shared knowledge and opportunities with me instead of keeping everything to themselves. I’ve been lucky to come across photographers who believe in sharing, and I want to pay that forward. Those photographers include: @Oscar.Imagines, @WendyRandom, @BryanMinear, @SandyPhimester, @muh_reea, @fotos_hill. I have learned a lot from each of them.
Shout to Byron and Star – they provided me with an opportunity to take photographs at Lucha VaVoom in 2024.
Shout out to people I have met through shared interests such as music or photography that have resulted in friendships and who were there for me in different periods of my life. A few to mention include: Star, Jax, Reea, Oscar, Jazmin, Brenda, Gilbert, Kenia, Marian, Raul, Oriana, Sandra, Jocelyn, Jose, Silvia, Tamara, and Rosie.

Shoutout to all of my ancestors, including those I had the privilege of meeting but never had the chance to document. That includes my abuela on my dad’s side, whom I met as a toddler. She was a teacher and an artist who crafted beautiful frames—an art form I wish I could have captured through my lens. And my abuelo on my mom’s side, whose presence I was fortunate enough to know, but not to document in life. In a way, he gave me that chance in another realm. He visited me in a dream, alongside my abuela, and I took their portrait there. I truly believe that in the dream world, my abuelo granted me the opportunity to photograph him—a moment that felt just as real and meaningful as if it had happened in waking life.

Shout out to everyone who has been supportive of my work, my family, friends and to all the gente working hard.

Website: https://www.sicatristes.com

Instagram: elsicatristes

Youtube: sicatristes

Image Credits
Portrait of me – co-credit to my fiance Elizabeth and me.
Portrait of parents and me – co-credit to my friend Estrella.
All of the rest of the photos are credited to me.

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.