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

Hi Rowan, do you have any habits that you feel contribute to your effectiveness?
The habits that have contributed most to my success are staying persistent while not taking things too seriously. It’s important for my creativity to strike a unique balance between being deeply committed to my work, never giving up, and also maintaining the ability to stay playful and accept that rejection and roadblocks are just part of the journey.

Alright, so let’s move onto what keeps you busy professionally?
My art spans production design, creative photography, and film. What I’m most proud of is the strong, collaborative community I’ve built around each project. It’s truly a dream to work alongside creatives I admire—many of whom are at the top of their game. I began my journey working in a nonprofit for several years before realizing that I wanted to dive fully into artistry and find my own voice. That decision, along with the incredible community I’ve cultivated, are what I’m most proud of.

It wasn’t an easy path. One of the biggest lessons I’ve learned is that tenacity is key. You have to keep knocking on doors, and eventually, they will open. But beyond perseverance, relationships and kindness are what truly set you apart in this industry. Collaboration is everything, and the connections you build can make or break the creative process.

What I want the world to know about my work is that it’s rooted in authenticity and a deep love for storytelling. Whether through production design, photography, or film, I aim to capture the essence of the human experience. My brand is all about creativity, community, and connection—values that drive everything I do

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.
If my best friend were visiting, I’d plan a week that covers both Fullerton and LA, since I split my time between the two. We’d start in downtown Fullerton, where I’d take them to a few of my favorite spots. First, we’d grab coffee at Play Coffee, a cool spot, with great coffee, set up in old shipping containers. For lunch or dinner, we’d head to Les Amis, a Lebanese fusion place I love and go to weekly, and later go to The Cellar for cocktails—one of the best places in town and somewhere I often visit to catch up with friends or work on projects. There would probably be a bit of thrifting involved as well while we’re in the area.

We’d definitely spend a day at the beach—probably Laguna Beach, specifically Victoria Beach, which is my favorite (and great for photoshoots too) Laguna is also great for walking around, shopping, and browsing their book or record stores.

I’d take them on a museum tour in LA, too. Museums are my go-to when I travel, and LA has some of my favorite: LACMA, The Broad, MOCA, and The Getty. After The Broad, we’d grab food at Grand Central Market, and I’d probably make them take the Angels Flight down—it’s such a charming experience, and I love seeing people’s reactions the first time they ride it.

If it’s summer, I’d try to catch an outdoor concert at The Greek or The Hollywood Bowl. We’d also hit a movie screening at Hollywood Forever Cemetery, which is hands down my favorite summer event.

This mix of places would give my friend a sense of the OC and LA spots I love most, blending both local favorites and touristy spots. And outside of all that, I’d probably make them watch a movie with me every night—sharing my favorite films is definitely one of my love languages.

Who else deserves some credit and recognition?
I want to dedicate this shout-out to the many creative women who inspire me. From visionary filmmakers like Céline Sciamma, Agnès Varda, and Sofia Coppola to the incredible women in my own life who collaborate with me on every single project (I’m so fortunate that the list is far too long to mention everyone here, but you know who you are).
I also want to give a special mention to Julia Cameron, author of The Artist’s Way, whose principles continue to inspire and guide me.

Website: https://rowanfaris.com

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/rowannfaris/

Image Credits
BTS Photo Credits: Megan Adams and Saige Kristian

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.