Today we’d like to introduce you to Victor Garcia.
Alright, so thank you so much for sharing your story and insight with our readers. To kick things off, can you tell us a bit about how you got started?
I got my first taste of film production as an editor and anchor for the school news show at Hanahan High School in North Charleston. After graduating, I discovered a keen interest in still images. I was fascinated by the ability to create art and meaningful narrative in a single frame. It’s a challenging medium that requires limited tools and as I continued to admire the craft and hone my skills, others began to notice.
I’ve never been interested in cliches; I’m capturing Charleston in a moment of change. There is no shortage of beautiful, idyllic images of Charleston’s sweeping scenery and architecture. I create something my own. It feels important to share my admiration for the real people and subjects here. I want to capture moments grounded in the places that are quickly disappearing.
I’m sure you wouldn’t say it’s been obstacle free, but so far would you say the journey has been a fairly smooth road?
My life as a queer person of color has, at times, made me feel like an outsider. Though isolating, I think my circumstances enabled me to develop a keen eye and a knack for quiet observation, which are tools that inspire my work to this day. As a kid, I moved from Chicago to Charlotte, and landed in Charleston. I quickly found that as an unconfident stranger, I was an easy target for bullying. My emotional and mental health are obstacles that I’ve had to work to overcome, but they inspire me to layer emotional depth into my work.
Watching through the lens gives me a sense of purpose and belonging; a perspective that is uniquely my own. It gives me confidence and brings opportunities to step out of my comfort zone. Those steps eventually turned my hobby into a profession.
My work as a Charleston photographer probably isn’t what comes to most locals’ minds. I define my style as Urban Editorial, not high-key wedding chic that we see a lot in Charleston. My images can be moody. My style and approach aren’t applicable to every person and every gig, but that’s okay. Because I would rather enjoy what I produce than conform to something that’s not my own.
Appreciate you sharing that. What else should we know about what you do?
I want more than decorative imagery of Charleston’s bridge and steeples. The richness of people and places outside of the tourist zones is a much more authentic representation of this place and time.
I find beauty in the places that are fading and admire the people who aren’t typically boosted: neighborhoods that will soon be lost to gentrification; drag queens; my 84 yr old friend Bob; the unseen kitchen staff at tourist mainstays…
I want to share the parts of my city that aren’t glossy and perfect. I want to share the parts that are real, even if they are a little scuffed, because that’s what makes them beautiful.
Are there any apps, books, podcasts, blogs or other resources you think our readers should check out?
School has honestly been a great source of inspiration for me. I enrolled at Trident Technical College in North Charleston as a Photography major as a way to expand my artistic instincts and network with other creatives. Currently, admission for creative majors is free, which is a wonderful bonus.
I have found most of my assignments to be enjoyable, and the ones I find challenging help me expand my portfolio, work with new people, and stretch my creative muscles. My classes have also pushed me to take on projects I wouldn’t otherwise have explored, like photographing products and lifestlye.
Travel is a new influence in my work, as I continue to grow and step away from my layers of anxiousness. This year I have traveled to NYC, Honolulu, and Paris and am eager for where else my new itch will take me.
Pricing:
- 1hr Solo Portrait Session on Charleston Peninsula: $125
- 1hr Portrait Session in Charleston Area: $125-$160
Contact Info:
- Website: vlycreative.com
- Instagram: http://www.instagram.com/victorlovesyou
- Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/VLYcreative
