Meet Stan Evans | Photographer & Director

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

Hi Stan, how does your business help the community?

I created www.socialstudiesshow.com

Social Studies is a podcast that explores the relationship between advertising and activism. I write, direct, host and select guests from different backgrounds to give the youth a living library that is easily accessible on the internet.  This series of interviews digs into how these two methods of influence impact elements of culture, mindfulness, communities, and the profitability of companies.

“I‘m curious about other perspectives I’m not trying to judge. I‘m trying to listen. I don’t have the answers to all the questions, but I want to ask great questions, push existing conversations forward, and start an entirely new one about how business and activism intersect.

“My goal is to get business leaders to think deeply about the nature of inclusion in their business’ public identity and to get consumers to consider activism beyond what can be accomplished on social media; to get people to think about how to live the change within their communities and in their own lives.”

Alright, so let’s move onto what keeps you busy professionally?

I’m a portrait photographer that has a deep passion for portrait, lifestyle, athletic, and motorized imagery – probably in that order. More creatively, I’m a unique problem solver through imagery. Clients come to me with a story they want to tell, and on my own projects, I often have a narrative I’m trying to communicate. I see photography as a bit of a language, and I’m trying to get people to understand what I’m saying.

I’ve been doing more directing and video as it allows me to tell a more complete story, adding moving images and sound. Also, interviewing people for the podcast has been enlightening, crossing the country meeting with people at companies, various ad agencies, and hearing how they are going about marketing with accountability, multiculturalism, and environmentalism in mind.

I think being a minority, and raised as an army brat, gives me a unique perspective. As a kid, I quickly learned to view the world from a lot of different perspectives, not only to survive, but also thrive. Within that spectrum, a camera gives the ability to ask questions of personalities and observe culture instead of judging. Rather than just taking a picture of someone, I often try to put myself in that person’s shoes. How do they see themselves? How do they want to be portrayed? Am I seeing something about them that perhaps they don’t even see themselves? Bringing those aspects front and center is the beauty of photography.

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.

I try to spend a bunch of time outside and due to COVID there hasn’t been many indoor alternatives. I love exploring and being active so it’s probably

1. Matador Beach
2. Huntington Gardens
3. Downtown Arts District
4. The Getty once it reopens

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?
First off I’d like to thank my Mom and Dad they have been extremely supportive of my life choices that at the time seemed confounding. Friends and lovers that have made the journey eventful to say the least. I’ve probably used 5 of my 9 lives so I’m happy to still be here creating things, trying to spread positivity and knowledge all the while riding this COVID rollercoaster life. Mentors like Monte Isom, Jim Krantz, Heidi Volpe  and Arturo Nunez that have been extremely helpful in the photography landscape.

Website: www.stanevansphoto.com

Instagram: @stanevansphoto

Twitter: @stanevansphoto

Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCIP95IRq1POV8DqS5Zf0BFg