There are four points I’d like to cover in this review: 1. The shoot was fun. 2. I loved everything about the experience. 3. I love Erika (and her dog!). 4. I got my best pictures ever.

(Tess came to me for business headshots)

Getting Candid with Photographer Erika Seress

Erika is a Los Angeles photographer with whom I had the pleasure of having a cup of coffee with earlier this week. Born and raised in Los Angeles, “I’m a Westside girl,” she says, something I would have guessed from her cool, beachy demeanor, anyways.  Erika grew up surrounded by her craft, as her father and grandfather were photographers as well; “I was six when I first stepped into a studio. My first self portrait was at age 6.”

Erika’s infatuation with photography began at a young age, and eventually led her to Santa Monica College, where she majored in photography and business. She says one of the most integral pieces of advice she would give young photographers is to have some sort of business sensibilities, “Read books, take classes, whatever, just know how to run and market yourself as a business,” she says.

The first time I looked through Erika’s portfolio, I noticed one thing: she loves to play with light. And as we talk, she tells me she one of her biggest role models is a photographer Matthew Mitchell, with whom she used to work. “He changed my life,” she says, “He showed me the importance of light. How to see it, and how to create it.” Some of her other inspirations are Patrick Demarchellier and Bruno Dyan, and you can see some of their influences on her work.

Erika describes her artistic vision as: “Candid genuine emotion.” And her artistic style as “Light. I love light, light. Solar flares, blown out images.”

Erika predominantly focuses on commercial people photography. Her services include headshots, actor/model portfolios and corporate portfolios. When asked who her ideal model would be, Erika says, “The everyday person.” She doesn’t like the high-end fashion side of photography.

“Nothing makes me happier than capturing an authentic moment, and making a regular person feel beautiful,” she says, “Models know they are beautiful, and they are going to get the perfect shot.” Instead, she prefers clients within whom she can bring out the beauty, and allow them to see it in themselves. Recently, Erika had a headshot client, who was on their third try at photographers. The pictures Erika took ended up making the client cry – because “No one had ever captured her essence so well before,” she says.

When I ask her if she’s working on any passion projects, aside from work, she says no, because she genuinely loves her job, “I love people. That to me is such a thrill… the process of interacting with someone. To get to know the person. It’s such a thrill to capture an amazing photo of someone. That’s the reason I got into photography. To take an amazing person of a regular person is my passion.” It’s the same thing she hopes to be doing 10 years from today, just on a bigger scale.

Erika recently opened a new studio in Culver City. It’s a 2000 square feet warehouse space with two shooting areas, a hair and make up station, model waiting area, kitchen and office. “It’s got a modern vintage aesthetic to it,” she says, “Lots of chocolate browns, blues, and patterns.” Erika has a full time staff with her at the studio – whom she is incredibly grateful for, “They allow me to focus on my photography, which is amazing,” she says.

One other piece of advice she gives rising photographers: “Just do it.” She tells me a story about her last day of college. “On my last day of college, my professor looked at the class and said, “Here’s the truth, only one person in this class is going to make it.” And that’s when I looked around the room, and said to myself, “Sorry guys, I just took that spot.”

Looks like she was right. Erika is booked solid (and I can attest to that, just in how long it took us to find a time for this interview!) and is definitely one of the most up and coming photographers in LA.

 You can check out her work, and hire her at www.erikaseress.com

 We also had the honor to work with Erika on our latest feature with Charlene Amoia, come watch Erika work her Magic!!!

http://youtu.be/8hVMREy_pZk