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

Hi Sam, why did you decide to pursue a creative path?
I think any creative or individual working within the world of fine arts can attest to the innate pull toward self-expression and making. You just feel the call. I felt it early on, maybe at age 4 or 5, first with music. Then I fell in love with poetry and short-story/novel writing. And as I got older, that branched out into photography and graphic design. I still use all of those mediums in my professional life, and each one informs the other. But making a career as an artist is hard, it takes personal and financial sacrifice. I think you just have to decide for yourself one day whether or not you can live without your art! Then you just go for it.

Let’s talk shop? Tell us more about your career, what can you share with our community?
After college, I got to work under some talented photographers like Tish Lampert and Steven Duarte. I did a lot of freelance design in a bunch of different industries before deciding to start my own companies — Cocoaleaf Studio (on hiatus right now) and Sam Estrella Photography. It was so much fun traveling to different states and shooting engagements and weddings and designing logos, websites, print collateral, you name it. But it was tough financially. To make ends meet, I started teaching art in the K–8 school setting, which eventually led to me becoming a full-time teacher, and now a full-time K-12 principal! Crazy journey. I now teach my students digital design, photography, and creative writing. I also continue to run my photography business and am writing my first Young Adult romcom! Even though I’m not running my businesses full-time anymore, I would not change my experience working in education and with youth for the world! If anything, it has fueled my creativity and desire to share my knowledge with young people. In time, I know I will go back to photography and design full-time, but it will have a different mission and vision, geared toward community and youth outreach!

If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?
Listen up, folks. I’ve been to 35 states, lived in 3, and I cannot praise or encourage the use of public transportation enough! If my bff came to town, she better be ready with some walking shoes, cause we are walking and Metro-ing it up all week long! Red line, blue line, gold line, Union Station…everyday!

Here’s what we’re eating:

+Al Noor in Inglewood (Pakistani cuisine)
+The Empanadas Place in Los Angeles on Sawtelle (Argentinian cuisine)
+Pho Hong Phat in Long Beach (Vietnamese cuisine)
+Umaiichi in Santa Clarita (Japanese-Korean fusion)
+The Modern Tea Room in Lancaster (Modern American – Vegan friendly) — order their blueberry french toast and go straight to heaven!
+Olive and Grill in Studio City (Mediterranean cuisine)
+El Pollo Inka in Torrance (Peruvian cuisine)
+Max’s Fried Chicken in Glendale (Filipino cuisine)

Here’s where we’re going:
+Malaga Cove in Palos Verdes
+Del Amo Mall
+Grand Central Market
+Little Tokyo
+Art Deco walking tour of LA
+Every. Single. Art. Museum!

The Shoutout series is all about recognizing that our success and where we are in life is at least somewhat thanks to the efforts, support, mentorship, love and encouragement of others. So is there someone that you want to dedicate your shoutout to?
I want to shoutout the whole BFA program and department at Andrews University in Michigan and my MFA Applied Craft + Design program at Pacific Northwest College of Art in Oregon. I needed you all.

Website: https://www.sestrella.com/

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

Linkedin: www.linkedin.com/in/samestrella

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.