Meet Grady Neilan | Photographer

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

Hi Grady, let’s talk legacy – what do you want yours to be?
I think when it comes to photography, I work to make photos that i hope will live forever. Photos that will outlive me, photos that people will remember me by. I‘ve always been so fascinated with the power of photography and how it gives memory life. As cliche as it sounds I’ve always stood by the quote “Moments leave, but photos are forever”. That quote is what initially lured me in to taking photographs, wanting to document anything and everything around me knowing that if i don’t then who will. To me, there’s something really special about the process of taking a photo, the way things happen so fast, or how most of the time moments come and go so quickly that nobody has a chance to really grasp onto the fact that they are there, and they are happening. A photo however, can slow everything down for a second and really freeze that moment. That to me is what makes this process of what i do so fascinating. I want my work to represent my legacy. I want my work to ultimately just exist, somewhere, forever, or for at least as long as it can. I hope to be remembered for my passion. I want people to see my photos and remember how much time i spent photographing, and how much this is all meant to me.

Let’s talk shop? Tell us more about your career, what can you share with our community?
I am Photographer born and raised in Oxnard, California. Taking a more journalistic approach to photography, i push to capture diaristic style images, tell stories, and just document my everyday life as much as i can. What sets me apart from others is where i come from. Being born and raised in a small beach town has been very impactful on my work. I like to say it has sort of placed me in a bubble. That gritty, raw, core beach lifestyle that many can’t see from an outsiders perspective is all that i want to show people. Where we come from, what its like, all of the elements within that make it what it is. That is what i photograph, and i believe that there is no where else in the world like it. I do not view myself as a professional, or anything even close. But i do like where i’m at right now, and i’m very excited to see what the future has to offer.

If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?
Oh man this is easy! I’d definitely take them to the beach. That’s a must, especially here in Southern California — our beaches are the best. I’d take them to Malibu forsure, maybe first point or something. Then I’d show them my hometown! I’d also have to show them some real mexican food spots here in Oxnard. Or take them to Guisados in Los Angeles, they got some of the best tacos ever. Then take them to a concert or something, Los Angeles has some of the best music venues in the world, not to mention that music here in general is just great.

Who else deserves some credit and recognition?
I want to shoutout Silver Strand Beach! The neighborhood i grew up in which has given me all the inspiration i need to tell my story(s) through photography and visual arts! Also my friends! And there support! I love my friends, and my family!

Instagram: grady_neilan

Image Credits
Noah Woo (Personal Image)