Angel City Football Club
Artists in Residence
Artists in Residence showcases the work of four photographers through a partnership program with Angel City Football Club. Angel City FC’s community-focused sponsorship model invests directly with local initiatives like Las Fotos Project to elevate youth voices through transformative opportunities. These images capture the energy of La Fortaleza—the heartbeat of the club led by its 6 supporter groups and their vibrant community. With access to mentorship, training, and on-the-job experience, our youth are empowered to document history in real time, demonstrating what is possible when girls and gender expansive youth of color are centered as visual storytellers and changemakers.
FEATURED PHOTOGRAPHERS
Delilah Mendez
Krystal Vasquez
MJ Joya
Semmia (Mía Leonor Rovira)
MENTORS
Carolyn Cardoza
Christina Russo
This exhibition is sponsored by Angel City Football Club & NYX Professional Makeup.
Photo printing for this exhibition sponsored by Epilogue Inc.
Delilah Mendez, age 16
About Me:
Delilah Mendez is a 16-year-old Mexican-American photographer from La Puente and East Los Angeles with a passion for storytelling through her lens. Photography offers her a space to take control of her art and express how she sees the world.Through her photographs, Delilah invites her audience to reflect on themes of change, community, and perspectives. She strives to convey the power of empathy and connection, hoping to inspire others to embrace new perspectives, challenge their assumptions, and see the world with greater understanding and openness through her work. Delilah’s work and inspiration is influenced by her environment, peers, and her faith which guides her through each photograph and story she captures.
One Pulse
PROJECT REFLECTION
In a city as diverse as Los Angeles, BMO Stadium creates a space where people of all backgrounds unite under one stadium roof to support Angel City FC. Fans come together in support of players, players come with honor to play for fans, and as part of the residency program, we get the honor to capture, document, and archive both. We capture the shared feelings, the shared moments, not just on the field but also their impact on the fans.
Krystal Vasquez, age 23
About Me:
Krystal Vasquez is a photographer and journalist based in Los Angeles, CA. A proud Latina and member of the queer community, her identity deeply influences the stories she tells and how she sees the world. Her work captures the energy of live events, the raw emotion found in street photography, and the people behind music and culture. She’s passionate about using photography to connect with others and build a sense of community.
A core inspiration behind Krystal’s work is her uncle and godfather, Jose Angel Zamorano. His love for art, life, and people continues to guide her creative journey. Creating in his honor keeps her grounded and reminds her why storytelling matters. At its core, Krystal’s work is about love, connection, and honoring the stories that often go unseen. Through photography and journalism, she shows up for her community—and for herself.
For the Love of the Game
PROJECT REFLECTION
Being part of the Las Fotos Project X Angel City FC cohort has been such a meaningful experience. I’m proud to have shared the work I created during this time, especially the chance to highlight a women’s soccer team that’s deeply rooted in the L.A. community. Watching young girls see themselves in these players was powerful. This project reminded me how important it is to create space for people to feel seen, heard, and inspired.
MJ Joya, age 18
About Me:
Maryjane Joya is a queer latinx artist with a deep passion for capturing the beauty of life through photography. Specializing in environmental portraiture, their work celebrates the richness of diversity by photographing people of color, individuals across different genders, ages, and members of the queer community.
Drawing inspiration from their personal identity, family, and mentors, Maryjane continues exploring various photography niches, discovering unique stories with every shot. With the invaluable guidance of their mentors, they have embraced a creative path that reflects both personal and artistic growth. Their ultimate goal is to establish a photography studio where they can create, share, and inspire other young artists. Each image they produce is a celebration of joy, connection, and the vibrant diversity of the world.
Untitled
PROJECT REFLECTION
Shooting Angel City FC games has been an incredible experience. I’ve loved capturing the electric energy of the fans and the emotional highs and lows that come with watching the team play. As a photographer, it’s also been fascinating to observe each player’s unique style, every one of them a powerhouse in their own way.
Semmia (Mía Leonor Rovira), age 16
About Me:
Semmia is a 16-year-old photographer whose work is deeply rooted in the cultural ties of her Zapotec heritage. Beginning her photography journey at 11 years old with AMP Studios in Highland Park, she then pursued her passion with Las Fotos Project. Semmia’s intention with photography is to highlight her underrepresented communities, capturing the essence of their abundance. She aims to tell a story of resilience, beauty, and pride through each photo.
Among Angel City
PROJECT REFLECTION
The Angel City Football Club has become one of my favorite communities to document and be a part of. The atmosphere of the stadium is electrifying, all smiles are contagious, and new experiences are endless. Every time I arrived, I was thrilled, full of excitement and eager to take photos of team members and community members with their loved ones. Each one of us was invested in the game and with so much love around, you couldn’t help but to feel inspired.