9 QUESTIONS WITH ELIAN GONZALEZ

WORDS BY: Ajay Woolery

MEDIA: Elian Gonzalez

Elian Gonzalez is a photographer from long beach documenting his adventures with his friends and striving to capture authentic moments.

Q: TELL US A LITTLE ABOUT YOURSELF

I’m a 20-year-old film photographer from Long Beach California. Currently balancing time from school with time with friends where we document adventures we go on in our own creative ways, mine would be through photography.

Q: WHEN DID YOU BEGIN TAKING PHOTOGRAPHS AND SPECIFICALLY, HAS THERE BEEN ANYTHING IN YOUR PERSONAL LIFE WHICH INSPIRED YOU TO PURSUE PHOTOGRAPHY?

I started to take photography seriously during my junior year in high school when my sister had a photography class in college. So when she wasn’t using it I would pick it up and teach myself how it works and soon started going on shoots with my friends.

Q: WHAT WOULD YOU SAY INSPIRES YOU TO SHOOT?

My friends and family inspire me to shoot, especially when we are on to move to a new place we’ve never been to before.

SOURCE: ELIAN GONZALEZ

Q: WHAT WOULD YOU DEFINES A GREAT PHOTO?

For me, a great photo would capture something that you like, as long as you’re looking for those things genuine reactions and support will come from your work.

Q: WHO ARE YOUR GREATEST INFLUENCES? WHY?

My greatest influences are my friends because without them I would’ve never had anyone to practice with or help build a passion for taking pictures.

Q: IF YOU HAD THE OPPORTUNITY, WHAT CREATIVE PERSON (LIVING OR DEAD) WOULD YOU WANT TO WORK WITH?

I would love to work with Kid Cudi just because I love his music and think he’s a really cool guy. Whether it would be shooting BTS for a music video or doing an editorial with him would be a big win for me.

Q: IF WE COMPILED YOUR WORK INTO A PINTEREST BOARD WHAT WOULD IT BE NAMED?

If all my work were to be compiled together it would have to be named “on the move with Elian” just because that’s when I enjoy shooting the most so, it would be pictures I take every new place I go.

SOURCE: ELIAN GONZALEZ

Q: WHO ARE YOUR SOME OF YOUR FAVOURITE CREATORS?

Some of my favorite creators are rayscorruptedmind, gunnerstahl, vuhlandes and coughs. They are all photographers who I look up to and appreciate their unique style.

Q: LASTLY, WHAT IS SOME OF THE BEST LIFE ADVICE YOU’VE RECEIVED AND WHAT ADVICE WOULD GIVE TO ANOTHER YOUNG PHOTOGRAPHER?

Some of the best advice that I’ve received is to surround yourself with others who are just as hungry as you to achieve your goals and you will stay motivated. My advice to any young photographer would be to just pick up a camera and start it doesn’t matter which camera it is, it can even be your phone. Just pick up a camera and start taking pictures of whatever you like.

CHECK OUT MORE OF ELIAN’S WORK BELOW!

12.28.20