Meet June Galan | Photographer

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

Hi June, what do you want your legacy to be?
I want people within working class communities especially people back in East Los Angeles and Boyle Heights that it is possible to make a career out of your art. I want to be a token for people that grew up in communities that sort of diminish or don’t give art their full shine. It is not only photography, there is so many little nuanced jobs within the art world and I believe everyone could be doing it, if they knew they were out there. We are in Los Angeles but some schools in the inner city barely have severely underfunded art departments. My old high school has so much equipment for film and television production classes yet no money to have them run, yet all the money in the world for their sports. I want to be the light and advocate for more allocation and focus to the arts. I believe my art and work will talk for itself, but this is my one and true goal always. Art is not a luxury.

Alright, so let’s move onto what keeps you busy professionally?
Whether people like to hear it or not. This industry is straying away from the common people. Art is time and time again being pushed into the hands of luxury. Everyone’s path is different but just within film and television, only 8% of people come from a working class background. So my path was not easy, but I was handed a sheer amount of opportunities simply by being at the right place at the right time. I made sure every photo I took was 100x better than the last. I was shooting multiple concerts for free, multiple photoshoots a week with my friends, tuning my work and taste. I was shooting everything and anyone I could. I was building connections with artists not only on a work level but a personal level. I’ve been able to make some real friends throughout this process with some people I used to think of one of my favorite artists but now we are sharing music and talking about the NBA Finals. I believe having a personable and respectful approach to your craft is way more important than taking the best picture on the best format. People can tell, everyone can tell. Just continue to make art, and eventually your stars will align. Try not to compare either, it doesn’t do you any favors.

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.
Can’t lie. I’m not much of a going out person but I definitely would like to show them some of the beautiful hikes I have been able to complete around the LA Area. After I would love to go eat some Pupusas that either my grandma made or this place in East Los Angeles called Los Molcajetes. I would also show them around East LA and Boyle Heights as I grew up there and love the city so much.

Who else deserves some credit and recognition?
Definitely off the bat, I have to thank my friend Cristian who let me borrow some equipment when I was just starting out, and still does sometimes. Without him being so patient and helping me out on the beginning, I wouldn’t be where I am.
Along with that, my friend AndrPw has introduced and taught me so much about this creative world and process that it is beautiful to see and can’t wait to see where all me and my friends are gonna be soon. I have a great support system around me, from my family to many loving people that help me at any step they can. Not many words can describe how thankful I am for that in every regard.

Website: https://www.juliengalan.com

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/2010finalsgame7?igsh=NTc4MTIwNjQ2YQ%3D%3D&utm_source=qr