© Blue Wesley

Today we feature work from photographer, Blue Wesley, for our Meet a Member interview. Blue is a commercial, lifestyle, aerial, and water photographer who won ‘Best of Show’ for the 2023 APA Awards.

Do you have a favorite podcast? 
Radiolab: from tree to shining tree

What 3 words describe your photography style? 
Vibrant, natural, exploratory

What inspires you? 
Travel in general, islands, cities, people overcoming obstacles, wildlife, art, and music.

What’s your favorite thing about being a photographic artist?
It doesn’t really feel like a job, even though I’ve made it my career. I just can’t (picture) doing anything else. I like how you can dream up an image before you even touch the camera. IT’s all about what you want to create inside the mind and using the elements that inspire you to create it in real life.

When you aren’t making photographs, what other pastimes do you have?
Surfing, fishing, hanging with orange cats, hunting for a stellar açai bowl, or just cruising around town checking out beaches in San Diego.

What was the best piece of advice you were given starting out?
As long as you do it everyday, you will be good. -Jim Daly

What are the current challenges that you face as a photographer?
Curation. I’m always trying to slim down my archive of old shoots. My body of work is tapping out at about 20 terabytes of RAW files or 2-300,000 images that I keep on hard drives. Could I ever even slim this down to just 1000 photos? No way. I’ve found that if you don’t look at a shoot for a few years, the images you favorited then are not the ones you would select again, and the ones you kind of passed over may grab your attention. As we develop as creators, our visual taste changes, so I try to hold onto a good amount of raw files from each shoot in case I wasn’t to do a new curation and re-edit. Try it!

What have been the highlights and challenges of your career so far?
Highlights: I got to shoot a magazine cover with surf legend Rob Machado in the water at his home break at Swamis, Encinitas, California. 

Challenges: The ebbs and flows of freelance life can be interesting to navigate. When you don’t have many projects certain times of the year, the mind can wander, but you have to stay on the path and find ways to forward your momentum with the time you have not shooting. When you are slammed with projects, it’s nice to have a break. So who knows? 

What were you doing before you became a photographer?
I got a Bachelor in Arts in Geography from UC Santa Barbara, which I never used, and my wife jokes that she’s never seen my diploma. Not sure where that is. In college, I worked at Four Seasons Hotels and then was a busser and waiter at fine-dining steakhouse until I made my move!

If you weren’t a Photographer, what would you be doing?
Musician, I played guitar with some of my best friends in a blues reggae band at UCSB. We were pretty sick. 

What do you do when you get stuck?
Get off the computer, get outside, move, breath, exercise, travel, take a road trip, get into nature, surf, I always come back feeling rejuvenated, inspired, and ready to take on a new project with a fresh sense creative energy.

What is your best advice for your peers?
Stick with it, there’s a lot of pressure out there to be the best, to create something EPIC, post something VIRAL, and EVERYDAY. It’s a lot. Try to put horse blinders on and stay focused on being grateful for your own epic experiences, whatever they may be, instead of being worried about what others are doing. 

If you don’t hit the milestones you set for yourself, it’s all good, we aren’t meant to always do everything exactly to plan, so keep your head down and keep on plugging away, whatever your goals are.

What advice would you give to yourself if you could go back 10 years? 20 years?
1. WHO you know is important. Foster relationships. Any day you could meet someone that could change your career life in a massive way. Keep your eyes and ears open and if there’s a person that can open some doors for you, introduce yourself and let them know what you are all about. If people don’t know what your goals are, they can’t help you. 

2. There are times when doing free work is necessary. If it builds value in your portfolio, do it for free, 9 out of 10 times, they’ll book you later on paid work or refer you to someone for something bigger!

3. Team up with others. Clients will trust you more if it seems like you work on a team. And the other team members will propel you to strive to grow together. It’s a synergistic energy that is really hard to have by yourself. 

What is a photographer’s role now that technology has made it so much more accessible to the masses?
I read that more digital images are captured every single day than the entire collection of analog film photographs in its 150 year history. In One day. Think about that. Pretty wild. But it goes one step further, now that AI has entered the picture, it’s important that we keep our images as authentic as possible because at one point there maybe more artificial images than real photographs, and then the history record of how things looked and actually were will be skewed for future generations. 

Check out more work from Blue Wesley.

© Oriana Poindexter

Meet APA member Oriana Poindexter, a photographer and marine scientist focused on the intersection of art, science, and marine natural resources.

What inspires you? 
I’m inspired by the beauty of nature, and specifically, the marine environment. I’ve always seen photography as a tool with which I can go explore the natural world, find something interesting or beautiful, and document it in a way that allows me to share that find with others.

What’s your favorite thing about being a photographic artist?
For me, photography is best when an element of chance is allowed to participate with the technology, whether in analog chemical form or digitally. The technological aspect allows us to capture moments of the natural world, but what makes it truly interesting for me is when a chance element is introduced – light behaving in an unexpected way, a surprising composition caused by a subject’s movement, or when hand-printing, the little accidents that can happen in the process that are sometimes frustrating and other times magical.

When you aren’t making photographs, what other pastimes do you have?
If I’m not making photographs, I’m probably thinking about it! I have a large mental list of photographs that ‘got away’ – images that I saw when unprepared to capture them. I spend as much time as I can in the ocean, surfing, free diving, scuba diving or just swimming, and enjoy getting lost in a good book.

Who have been your biggest influences? What was the best piece of advice you were given starting out? 
Emmet Gowin was my photography professor when I was an undergrad at Princeton University, and was hugely influential on my studies, my worldview, and the path I’ve taken since then. He quietly nudged students to explore and experiment, to follow intuition and curiosity, and to make luminous prints. There was lots of good advice along the way – you’re going to waste paper learning to print well; watch the edges of the image while composing; look in order to see.

What are the current challenges that you face as a photographer?
The non-photographic aspects of operating as an independent small business owner are challenging to manage! It’s a balancing act to figure out how to set aside enough time to create but still feel like I’m doing enough on the business and marketing end to line up enough work to make things sustainable economically.

What were you doing before you became a photographer?
I studied photography as an undergrad and have my Bachelors in Visual Arts, but then I went on to graduate school in Marine Biodiversity and Conservation. I went on to work for NOAA Fisheries and the Scripps Institution of Oceanography as a fisheries scientist for a number of years, during which I was always photographing, diving, and exploring visually at the same time. I had the opportunity in 2020 to start my own company, Pelagic Projects, which has allowed me to focus on projects that are both artistically and scientifically engaging.

What do you do when you get stuck?
I get in the ocean without a camera – just floating, swimming, watching the way the light moves underwater and seeing the life that drifts by is usually the perfect way for me to get my mind reset.

What is your best advice for your peers? // What advice would you give to yourself if you could go back 10 years? 20 years?
Get outside – with or without a camera. And stop waiting for permission to go start that project you’ve been wanting to do – just start. If it’s interesting and worth doing, the interest/support/etc will come.

Check out more work from Oriana Poindexter.

© Israel Castillo

Meet San Diego based photographer and APA member, Israel Castillo, specializing in editorial and commercial photography.

Do you have a favorite podcast?
Yes, The Emo Brown Podcast. I was introduced to it by my friend Enrique ‘Chikle’ Lugo. What I particularly appreciate about this podcast is its focus on local artists, business owners and musicians. It provides a platform for these individuals to share their stories, insights and experiences. It’s become a go-to-source for me to discover and connect with the vibrant community around me.

What 3 words describe your photography style?
Intentional
Environmental
Authentic

What inspires you? 
I find inspiration in the simple joys of everyday life, motivating me to embrace new experiences, nurture my passions and strive for personal fulfillment.

What’s your favorite thing about being a photographic artist?
I enjoy the process of bringing ideas to life as a photographic artist. As someone who is constantly engaged in multiple photo projects simultaneously, I thrive on the excitement and challenge of transforming concepts into tangible visual representations.

When you aren’t making photographs, what other pastimes do you have?
Spending quality time with my family, my wife and two amazing daughters (ages 6 and 4). Being able to create memories with them is invaluable to me. Recently, I’ve also taken up running, with the goal of completing a half marathon. For now, I enjoy leisurely jogs around the neighborhood, gradually building up my stamina. However, most of my time is dedicated to my kids.

Who have been your biggest influences? 
During my time at Brooks Institute of Photography, PF Bentley had a profound impact on me as a photographer. As the instructor of the course “Real World Photojournalism”, his teachings have continued to resonate with me and shape my approach to this day. The valuable lessons I learned from him remain a constant source of guidance and inspiration in my daily work. Additionally, I’m grateful for the influence of Javier Manzano, a good friend I met at Brooks. His exceptional skills and talent propelled him to another level. Their contributions have had a significant impact on my growth as a photographer and continue to drive me to push my creative boundaries.

What are the current challenges that you face as a photographer?
I currently face some challenges, one is finding effective ways to connect my work with potential consumers. I am actively exploring avenues to sell prints and standing out in the online marketplace is a challenge. Additionally, I would like to publish photo books of my work. But, another challenge in pursuing this goal is securing the necessary financial backing for these projects. Finding the right funding opportunities and securing partnerships or sponsorships is an ongoing endeavor. Despite these challenges, I remain determined to overcome them.

What have been some of the highlights and challenges of your career so far?
I have been fortunate to experience several highlights and navigate various challenges. One of the most significant highlights was the inclusion of my “Power of the People” image in the San Diego History Center. I’ve also had the privilege of displaying a few solo photo exhibitions and organizing and curating group exhibitions. Another gratifying aspect has been the opportunity to mentor and guide aspiring photographers. Acting as a mentor to a few students in the past was a rewarding experience, as I had the chance to share my knowledge and help them grow in their own artistic journeys. Overcoming self-doubt, honing my skills and finding new avenues to promote and distribute my work have been ongoing challenges. However, the challenges have served as valuable learning experiences and help push me to evolve and grow as an artist.

If you weren’t a Photographer, what would you be doing?
If I weren’t pursuing photography full-time, I would still be actively involved through my current role at Chrome Digital, a fine art print lab. Working in this capacity allows me to maintain a strong connection with the photo community and stay informed about the latest developments and trends. It gives me a pulse on what’s happening in the industry, and I find great satisfaction in being part of the process that brings photographers’ visions to life through high quality prints. So, in a way, I’m already engaged in my passion for photography, just from a different perspective.

What do you do when you get stuck?
When I find myself in a creative rut, I embrace the process and go with the flow. I give myself permission to take a step back and explore other activities or interests.

What is your best advice for your peers?
One piece of advice I would offer to my peers is to print their work. There’s something truly special about seeing your photographs in physical form, beyond the confines or a phone or computer monitor. Printing allows you to fully appreciate the details, textures and colors (or black and white) of your images in a tangible way. It brings a sense of fulfillment and authenticity to your craft.

What advice would you give to yourself if you could go back 10 years? 20 years?
My advice to myself would be to take chances in my craft and be bold in pursuing clients. It’s important to step outside of my comfort zone and embrace new opportunities that may come my way. Don’t let fear or self-doubt hold me back from reaching out to potential clients or pursuing projects that excite me.

What is a photographer’s role now that technology has made it so much more accessible to the masses?
As technology becomes more accessible to the masses, photographers should stay true to their craft, adapt to new technologies and continue to cultivate their unique artistic style. By sharing knowledge and supporting fellow photographers, we can contribute to the advancement of the field while preserving the artistry and creativity that define us as photographers.

Check out more work from Israel Castillo.