Trust Your Gut

Photography By Drake Apolinar

Photographer Drake Apolinar opens up about finding photography while stationed in Japan, being in tune with your surroundings, and learning that it’s never too late to try something new.

Los Angeles, USA

How did you begin your journey as a photographer?

I picked up my first camera in 2016 when I was 19. I joined the Navy at 18 and was stationed in Yokosuka, Japan. I was an hour train ride from Tokyo and wanted a way to keep memories for myself. I had some friends who were shooting film back in Los Angeles and knew a friend living in Tokyo who shot film as well. He told me where to look for cameras and it started there.

What have you learned along the way?

I’ve learned that it’s never too late to start something new and to trust your gut. I bring a camera everywhere I go. If you get the chance to assist someone, take it. I got most of my initial experience working as a photographer assisting my friends on jobs, I’d take what I learned then do it myself.

How would you describe your style? What makes your perspective unique?

I call my process nostalgia in advance, I’m capturing memories that I know I’m going to feel nostalgic about. I feel that’s a direct reflection in my work. My perspective is unique because I’m very in tune with my surroundings, having 5 years of Tokyo street photography under my belt gives me the ability to catch moments instantaneously, I’ve honed in on that skill and use it intentionally.

What have been some highlights during your photography journey? What have been some struggles?

The greatest highlight is definitely the friends that I've made. Through photography I give myself the opportunity to look back on the life that I've lived and the people I love, it’s flattering to know that people appreciate those memories that I made for myself.

I struggled moving back to LA from Japan, I didn’t know anyone and had to start from square one. When I first started working as a photographer it tainted the way I saw photography, instead of doing it for myself I was working for money and had to take a step back for a while. I have a better balance now.

Tell the story behind one of your images (Kinkakuji shrine).

January 1’st 2017, after a long night in Osaka partying into the new year with some friends we stumbled back to our airbnb to clean up and caught a train to Kyoto. I remember being extremely hung over waiting in a line for hours to see the temple. I’m glad I got this shot, it's one of my favorites.

You grew up in San Pedro, California. How did growing up there influence you as an artist ?

Growing up in San Pedro I spent a-lot of my time at Channel Street SkatePark. Skating around everywhere, being able to look at the streets through the eyes of a skateboarder was a key component to my creativity, and I didn’t even know it. I met a friend named Ya-Yu while at Channel, he came to skateboard from Tokyo and is also a film photographer. He’s the one who told me where to get my first camera.

You are putting together a photography book about your time stationed in Yokosuka, Japan. What inspired you while there? What makes this time so special?

Japan is where I found photography. All of my photos from Japan are an expression of me learning how to use a camera and how to interact with my surroundings. It’s my most raw work, I didn’t have any outside influence. Japan is where I found myself, being there from 18-23 gave me all the time I needed to learn to document my life.

How have you grown as a photographer since coming back from Japan?

I moved to Silver Lake when I got back to LA. I would walk around my neighborhood with my dog and take photos. I started taking those photos to Last Good Film Lab for my processing. I got a job there developing and scanning film and was able to learn the photo lab process. I made a lot of my friends through that job. I started shooting in studios and making more intentional work. I’ve been able to shoot for brands, as well as artists, whether that be music or other creatives. I provide a full service to my clients, I take the photos, I do the lighting for my own sets, and then I take my work to the film lab to develop and scan them. I am responsible for the front and back end of making my photos and take a lot of pride in it.

If you can tell 10 year old Drake anything, what would you tell him?

I would tell him that one day you’ll find a passion that takes over your life. There’s a lot to look forward to, you’re gonna have a lot of fun and travel the world, you’ll make amazing friends along the way. You’re gonna go through hard times, but you’ll make it through. Be good to people and they’ll be good to you.

What's next for you?

I have an idea as to what I want my life to be and I'm chasing it. At this point I’m always trying to find a way to create, It’s an itch I have to scratch. I’m looking into getting my own studio space in San Pedro and I plan on making that my own universe for creativity. I'm going to keep making work that reflects the life that I live.