Accepting the Shadow

Photography By Yvette Aispuro

Photographer Yvette Aispuro opens up about creating vision boards, building confidence, and finding beauty in pain.

Long Beach, USA

How did you begin your journey as a photographer?

My journey started in 2015 when I was using my partner's (at the time) camera to shoot for fun, it was a Nikon D7. He taught me a few fundamental elements to get me started and from there I captured still life and portraits of friends but with a creative twist. I always needed to create something to style them in whether it was clothing, makeup, or creating a background that would provoke a story.

What have you learned along the way?

So much and still learning.

For years it was a hobby like a lot of others, figuring out my style wasn't easy. I didn’t consider myself a professional photographer, because I didn’t know much about my craft. It took a lot of practice and patience to build up my confidence behind the lens. With that all said, I’ve learned to never give up on what I love.

I can say I'm finally falling in love with my craft 5 years later.

What have been some of your proudest moments during your photography journey? What have been some struggles?

Never giving up on your dreams is essential, every opportunity is growth and a lesson along the way. The true struggle is within us. I was good at self-sabotage and numbing myself with vices, which kept setting me back from reaching my full potential.

How do you connect with your subjects? Why is it important?

My subjects tend to be people I know or who relate to me in many creative ways. The people I connect with have unique looks or aesthetics which transcend into my world; The world where I find beauty in pain and frustration. I love to exercise that in my work because we need to remember where we come from and how death is beauty. If we allow ourselves to accept the shadow, we can understand people without judgment, help each other believe in ourselves, and move with more love and compassion.

What is your general process of bringing each shoot to life? How do you prepare, come up with concepts, etc?

I have a photo journal with notes and ideas that I write in before I create a vision board with the aesthetic and look I want to achieve. Then I reach out to the artists for collaboration with the attached vision board/about me and what I want to achieve. Once I lock a shoot date with an artist I start gathering materials and fabrics for backdrops, styling, etc. I'll reach out to brands, makeup artists, and stylists and send them the vision board to see if they would be down to collaborate. Most of the time everyone is usually down for a collaboration and trade.

On the day of the shoot, I'm always a few hours early before everyone gets in; I like setting up slowly allows me to breathe a little easier than feeling rushed. I have amazing friends who are always willing to help me on set and I'm truly thankful for those who stick by my side!! It's not easy building a team it takes a lot of time to find the right creatives you can trust with your process.

Tell the story behind one of your favorite images (that you send)

FACING REALITY PHOTO; Defining how we view ourselves and others.

The feeling is lost, & hopeless, trying to fit into the stereotypical normalcy of what society tells us. We are adjusting our minds to an AI world where we manipulate our reality for others. We put on a look to show we are living a life of wealth, and luxury, where mental pain is hardly shown in our world. A capitalist world is the death of us, consuming to stay happy and quiet.

You are working on a project called "Femmes of Darkwave", co-produced by Sevin Mundo. What is this project about? Why is it important?

Femmes of Darkwave is co-produced by myself, Yvette Aispuro, and Sevin Mundo. The power duo combines digital and analog making both of their concept creatively raw and otherworldly. This project is to touch on a world of bicultural collectives, a non-binary voice, and change in the music and photography industry.

Why does the Darkwave scene inspire you?

Darkwave/80's post-punk resonates with me because you get to be different in your aesthetic. Darkwave has such a melancholy/avant-garde presence which has shown me nothing but love and support, it feels like I find my purpose in life with this genre and people I'm surrounded by!!

From working on this project, what have you learned about yourself as an artist? How do you think you are growing?

Staying consistent is key to growing as an artist. Believing in your magic and having those around you who have the same passion help you along the way. The favor is returned by creating together.

If you could have dinner with three people, dead or alive, who would they be and why?

Going with Photographers and dang that's hard to just pick three, but here's who I would love to have dinner!

Nick Knight - He creates a world no like any other photographer, and his unique style gives me that creative drive to think outside of the box and always never limit myself!! He is a film photographer and digital photography who is constantly evolving in the photo world.

Charlotte Rutherford - What a genuine and humbling sweetheart with a great sense of humor. One thing about her I notice she stays true to herself and doesn't let the pretentious LA world get to her. Charlotte's work is digital with a 3D feel to it and that's definitely something I want to try in my craft.

Elizaveta Porodina - Experimental fashion and fine art photographer Elizaveta travels through time and space, extracting the underlying emotions in her work which resonates with me!

To have all three of them together would be a world everyone would want to experience! I would die happy!!

What's next for you?

Photography is my life, I'm going to keep growing and creating!! Once I'm more established I want to run a creative photo studio in Long Beach that will provide a free and safe space to help kids and teens have access to lights and cameras, and teach them how to make their world through photography. The ultimate goal of mine!