Meet Lisa Guerriero | Documentary & Editorial Photographer

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

Hi LISA, we’d love to hear about how you approach risk and risk-taking
After graduating from Hollywood High School, I began working in the Motion Picture and Television industry as a Camera Assistant. I had a successful career for twenty-five years. In 2014, I took my first enormous risk. I finished my last full-time job on the TV show “Mad Men” and announced to all my colleagues that I was quitting the business to become a photographer. With no contacts, assignments, or any idea of how I was going to make a living as a photographer, I began shooting my street and documentary projects. There is a constant risk when shooting this type of photography. For the majority of my projects, I travel alone across the country, drive through small towns and most of the time, meet strangers on their front porches. Many times I get invited into their homes to chat and eventually I get the opportunity to take more photos. Taking risks is part of the job and I genuinely enjoy it. Not knowing what kind of personalities or situations I’m going to encounter along the way honestly keeps things interesting.

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.
One of the things that set me apart from other photographers, is my ability to meet strangers and quickly gain their confidence. This allows me to photograph more intimate moments in their lives and makes them feel comfortable enough to share their stories with me. It’s been a tough road but perseverance, staying positive, and continuing to work on personal projects that I truly believe in are what keep me going. There are so many lessons that I’ve learned along the way. Where do I begin? Don’t compare yourself to others. Find your own voice. Photograph what you know. Photograph what you love. Don’t be afraid to talk about your struggles and how they affect your work. I only started talking about my life-long battle with depression and anxiety two years ago. The goal of my photography is to document and represent the underdog. I want to share everyone’s story because real-life is far more interesting than fiction.

Any places to eat or things to do that you can share with our readers? If they have a friend visiting town, what are some spots they could take them to?
Breakfast at Trails Cafe then a hike up to the Griffith Observatory. Lunch at Dune in Atwater Village. Cocktails at the Dresden Room. Breakfast at Grand Central Station. Tour of the Bradbury Building. Visit MOCA. Cocktails at Clifton’s. Breakfast at Canter’s Deli. Tuesday night rollerskating to a live organ at Moonlight Rollerway. Vegan dinner, drinks, and photobooth pictures at Mohawk Bend. Burbank Bob’s Big Boy car show on Friday nights. Vegan dinner at Sun Cafe in Studio City. Vegan street food festival in North Hollywood. Movie at the Mission Tiki Drive-In. Hollywood Farmers Market on Sunday. Picnic at Barnsdall Park and visit Hollyhock House. Visit LACMA. Rooftop at The Ace Hotel downtown. Smorgasburg at The Row in Downtown LA. Vintage video games and pinball at Eighty Two. Dancing at Beat Bait or Chills and Fever.

Who else deserves some credit and recognition?
My shoutout is dedicated to Annika Iltis who started off as my co-worker on “Mad Men”, then became a dear friend who fully supported and encouraged my career change.

Website: http://www.lisaguerrierophotography.com/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/analogstreets/
Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/lisa-guerriero-760966139/
Twitter: https://twitter.com/analogstreets?lang=en
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/lisa.guerriero.96
Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCqT0pcW6Bmw2cGD0c_5-44w

Image Credits
All photographs ©2020 Lisa Guerriero