Meet Shanti Kotliarsky | Photographer & Creative Director

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

Hi Shanti, let’s start by talking about what inspires you?
I am inspired by people. Undoubtedly. I can confidently say that I draw the most creative inspiration from the humans that surround me.

When I was younger, nature was my first muse. I would doodle flowers, and paint scenic landscapes, and I would do the same with my photos. You can ask my parents – I would steal their phones to sneak a photo of any pretty flower that caught my attention. As I started to grow into my mature self I found myself admiring the simple beauty that existed amongst the humans around me. Today I have found that my favorite type of art to create is photographing people in nature; the perfect fusion of muses.

But more and more I have found that it is the stories and inner narratives of my friends and the folks that I admire, that drive me to create the most authentic art that I can. My only goal with what I do is to tell the stories of my peers, whatever that story may be, through visuals. Nothing gets me more excited.

That’s the complicated answer haha

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.
I am a photographer 🙂 I wear many hats in the creative world, but first and foremost I like to call myself a photographer. Interestingly enough I don’t say that often because I feel like I haven’t earned the title of being solely a “photographer” yet. And I think that is one of the biggest challenges I am working through; believing that my art is enough. I associate being a successful photographer with a grand title or achievement, like being a part of billboard or shooting the cover art for a huge artist or something like that. But the funny thing about art is that it’ all subjective, yet we creatives love shoving ourselves into a box of what is considered “successful”. Oh boy, the battle with self! Which I am sure many people can relate to. But I can proudly say that I am learning how to be more confident in my art and my journey. After all the Journey is Everything.

I want the world to know that I am a storyteller. A lot of close friends of mine are musicians and other creatives. And I have found that I enjoy nothing more than helping tell their stories through the lens of how I see the world. I am unafraid of color and punchy contrast, and I think that’s what people find appealing in my art. I push myself to see the world with as much saturation as I can, and I like to think that is abundant in my work.

I’m excited to see how my artistic style evolves 🙂

If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?
Oh boy, this is my favorite question. I am going to give the classic (and up until now, top secret) itinerary I follow every time my best friend comes to visit me.

First thing we’re going to do: hit Blue Bottle Coffee in Brentwood and make our way through the Pacific Palisades and find a nice view of the ocean.
Afterwards it is absolutely necessary to hit Flake in Venice to grab some eggy goodies. That should be enough caffeine and food fuel to hit Bergamot Station where we can waste the day away bathing in fine art and culture (lol), but no really I love that place. It’s always empty too. A wonderful setting for my friend and I to get into some nitty gritty deep convo.

BUT. The most important part of the day is to grab acai bowls from SunLife cafe and watch the sunset on the beach. Everything prior to this moment was just to fill in time. And as the sun goes down, I like to end the day with a bonfire on Topanga Beach. That’s pretty much my perfect day.

Who else deserves some credit and recognition?
My sister. I owe everything to her. My family has always been supportive of my creative endeavors, but my sister was the one who presented me with right opportunities and encouragement to pursue the path that I am on. I do not think I would have the guts to pursue this career without her. She is my forever inspiration and muse.

Website: www.shanti.is

Instagram: @shantikot

Image Credits
All of those images were taken by me! I have the rights to all the photos