East LA_10.16.16

JaLeeda Floyd

One day, I started a model management company to help amateur models to build their portfolio. Six years ago, I was on set for a photoshoot, there wasn’t a makeup artist, but I did have a makeup bag in the car. I did the model’s makeup and since that moment I discovered my passion. Read More>>

Andrew Phillips

In undergrad, I would always go to the photo department to see if I could get reference shots for my illustrations. One day I just decided to try and work in the department because it would make life much easier if I was just already always there. So I lied and said I was very experienced with all the gear. After working in the department for a while and teaching myself the gear, my images started becoming good enough not to want to draw them. So now I do more photography than drawing. Read More>>

Alexis Powers

I have always been interested in the arts but had absolutely no drawing or painting abilities. When I got frustrated that I couldn’t create these beautiful images on my own I picked up a camera. From then on I was hooked. Photography allows me to capture immense detail, and freeze moments in time that I feel are beautiful, tender and sweet. Read More>>

James C. Lewis

I am originally from a small town called Statesboro,GA. Upon graduating from High School I moved to Atlanta,GA to attend the Art Institute of Atlanta where I graduated with a degree in Visual Communications with a concentration in Illustration. Worked in Corporate America for 10year before launching out on my own and starting my business Noire3000 | N3K Photo Studios in 2008. Read More>>

Clayton Brannon

This is a little comical, I grew up with very rural activities, hunting, fishing, etc. I graduated high school in 2005, My best friend got a scholarship for basketball to Abraham Baldwin Agricultural College in Tifton, Ga, so I figure that I would give it a try and see where it takes me. Read More>>

Erica Ruiz

I was born and raised in Southern California and I’ve always had a love for horror movies and special makeup effects ever since I was a young child. Read More>>

Lonzo Silas

My journey into the realm of photography started in Virginia in 2008. I became envious of the people on my job with the United States Navy that had jobs documenting the events of the military with a camera and wanted to do that. After getting out of the United States Navy, I finished my degree in Communications at Norfolk State University, making sure to focus primarily on the courses that dealt with videos and photography. Read More>>

Brittany Rochelle

I’ve been an artist all my life. That’s something my late father passed down to me. As I got older, I knew that my career would be something professional yet artistic. Read More>>

Justin Toulon

I have been interested in being a film editor since the age of 12. My parents bought me my first camera and editing software and my interest grew from there. Read More>>

Dezirae Lawrence

I took a photography class in high school and fell in love with it. I ended up going to SCAD (Savannah College of Art and Design) to major in photography and major in business management and entrepreneurship. I now have my own photography business that I’m trying to grow bigger each and every day. Read More>>

Bee The Stylist

I’ve always loved fashion, I never took it too serious at first because I thought it was just a hobby. I got my first job at a rinky-dink mall in MD because, by that time, I had figured out that my true path was really in fashion. That led to my first job with a designer brand. I was studying fashion on my own time and just kept at it, even harder after that. I began getting recruited by several luxury companies and always excelled as a stylist. I realized I had the skills to do it myself. So that’s exactly what I did. Read More>>

Toni Murphy

I started off styling my co-workers and friends which helped me get more comfortable and knowledgeable behind the camera.  That eventually led to styling actual clients. I moved to Atlanta in 2012 for an internship at Compelled Boutique where I was a fashion assistant. Read More>>

Felipe Davila Arango

I was born in Colombia and since my childhood, I have always been intrigued by cameras and photography. After moving around the United States I moved to England in 2005. Upon my arrival in London, I attended University to earn a degree in Film and focus in Direction of Photography. Read More>>

Cree Doomes

Originally from Florida, I relocated to Atlanta 3 years ago, by way of Savannah, GA. I’ve also had a passion for hair styling since elementary school. I would style all of my friends’ hair from then until we graduated and went separate ways. I always knew that Atlanta was where I needed to be so once I got here I hit the ground running. Read More>>

Josh Meister

When I was a little kid I got my first toy camera as a gift. The kind that’s long, rectangular and you cock the side to advance to the next frame. I remember loving to shoot pictures everywhere – on vacation, at family events, my friends running around the neighborhood. Read More>>

Anthony Gary

I started taking pictures when I was in high school when I was taken out of JROTC and switched to journalism. I bought my first camera at 24 years and I have been apart of the Atlanta art community since then. I took on a few internships to gather knowledge of photographer and landed with a photographer named Leo Marshall. He introduced not only to new concepts but creative campaigns. Read More>>

Nami

My interest in style, fashion and being a Creative all began when I was younger. I was the oldest, but I was also the one who acquired all the hand-me-downs, being that I was the smallest. My mother’s thrifting became my own interest due to the significance and Uniqueness of the pieces! Read More>>

Amber Shirrell

I began my journey into makeup and fashion in 2007. I had just graduated from college and moved from Mississippi to Atlanta, GA. I moved here because I knew Atlanta was a great city that offered new opportunities, networking, and I loved the diverseness and eccentricity of the city. Read More>>

Stephanie Marie Eley

I had always been the kid dragging family and friends out to catch a sunrise photo opportunity. I was put in private art classes at a young age because I was drawing on the walls. I took pride in grade school art courses and when I took my first photography class, something stuck. Read More>>

Morgan Marin

I owe my entire career to my mom…she took me to my first concert when I was three and I knew immediately I wanted to somehow be a part of what I witnessed that night. I discovered around the age of 12 that I loved to wear makeup. My mom was incredibly supportive of anything that piqued my interest so she encouraged me to further my education of both the music industry and makeup. Read More>>

A.J. Horan

Creators of Union 16 Salon A.J. Horan and Joey Grizzard opened the doors of Union16 4 years ago. Union 16 Salon started out in the bustling neighborhood of Inman Park/Old Fourth Ward. With the expansion of our diverse, creative and extremely talented team, we outgrew our space within StudioPex.We have settled into our new home in Ormewood Park, which is located in East Atlanta. Read More>>

Ginger Pendley

I worked for a salon owner for 2 years, ended up purchasing the salon in 1998 after she passed away. Never really wanted to own my own business but other plans were in store. I’m married to my high school sweetheart which is a photographer by trade and spent 7 years working in marketing. Read More>>

Sherrian Brown

I have been a professional makeup artist for about five years now. Before getting into the beauty industry I was in the food industry as a caterer and specialty cake decorator. After I got burnt out with doing food for 15 years I decided to take classes in makeup artistry. Read More>>

Kareem Quow

I was born in Brooklyn NY, went to college at University of Pittsburgh studying Civil Engineering for 2 years. I switched majors to architecture and transferred to Wentworth Institute of Technology in Boston Massachusetts. I graduated in 2002 with a Bachelors of Architecture and two years later moved to Georgia to be closer to my family. I’ve always been creative since I was young; as a sketch artist and poet. Read More>>

Kendra B.

I learned at a very early age that your outer appearance can either help of hinder you in this life. We all know that it is what’s on the inside that really matters, but whoever said you can’t paint a picture of what’s inside on your outer self-using fashion and cosmetics. It’s all about telling your story the way you want it told. The way I paint someone is sort of a silent call to action. It says, “I’m here and not only do I demand your attention; I demand your RESPECT!” Read More>>

Jordan Eliza

I started out as a freelance hair stylist and makeup artist back in 2001, working on everything from commercial, print, runway, bridal and special event. I studied at Paul Mitchell and decided to evolve from freelance to being behind the chair at Mariemarie salon, which then was owned by my best friend Marie Hansen. I loved doing freelance, but I was ready to establish myself and build a lasting relationship with my clients. Read More>>

Erik Meadows

I’ve been an artist my whole life, in some form or another. I was an English major and poet in college. I did some freelance sportswriting after graduation. I’m a formally trained jazz drummer and blues guitarist. I was contemplating a career change and happened upon some gorgeous documentary style wedding photos online. Read More>>

Jameela Pitts

So I basically grew up in the salon. After landing in GA, my first stop was the salon lol. My parents owned one in Alpharetta. A week after high school I went to the beauty school at Atlanta tech. I graduated in 2010 and have been in this journey every since. I’ve worked for amazing companies such as supercuts, Carols Daughters mirror salon and Loop salon all in Atlanta,Ga which definitely helped me along the way. Read More>>

Mike Koenig

In high school, I started experimenting with photography and began filming bands in clubs. Eventually, I started shooting professionally – freelancing and doing part-time gigs for publications in print and online. Today I work at a PR boutique as an in-house video editor/videographer and I still freelance my photography wares as well. Read More>>

KuFunya Kail

My dad was an artist and a photographer. He gave me two of my first cameras which I still look at as inspiration today. I used to watch him make the most nervous people feel at ease as he would come up close to their faces. The photos would always come out so beautifully. Read More>>

Nicole Imbert

As far back as I can remember I have always loved makeup. Growing up I would sit and watch my mother apply her makeup as she got ready for work, but she would not allow me to wear it at all. My true love for makeup started when I went away to college in 2003. Read More>>

Jos

I started doing makeup from young. I used to play in my mom’s all the time and get in so much trouble. But once I got older, I started working in modeling troupes in high school and college just learning and getting better. And after I graduated, I moved me and my passion to Atlanta to better chase my dreams. Read More>>

Alexandra Marrero

I am a Puerto Rican artist who fell in love with photography and graphic design more than 10 years ago and decided to move to Atlanta, GA to further my career by finishing my Masters Degree in Photography and who loves highly stylized imagery and digital artwork. Read More>>

Alex Dobbs

I went to Brenau University with dreams of becoming an Art Teacher. I’ve always loved creating and making beautiful things, but while traveling (and soul searching) the summer after my sophomore year, I realized that clay and paints might not be the creative outlet I was longing for. Read More>>

Dee the Makeup Artist

I always had a love for beauty and fashion growing up, but was not allowed to pursue that field. When I go old enough I did it anyway and created a business out of it. Read More>>

Deseri Rice

Growing up I never imagined doing photography. I enjoyed art and always wanted to be an artist. I knew I had some interest in photography because I always found myself taking pictures of people and myself and editing them. Like I would spend hours editing and learning different tips and styles to enhance photos. This was all just a hobby. When I went to college I call myself trying to be realistic when choosing an area of studies. Again, I knew I wanted to do art but at the same time, I wanted something more “promising” which lead me to graphic design. I didn’t make it into my college’s graphic design program so I decided to just graduate with my basic studio art degree. I took an intro to digital photography class as an elective and completely fell in love. From there I knew it was my passion and since then I lived and breathed photography. I became so inspired and found my purpose. Read More>>