Within the Fold

ABOUT ME
Arabella Hernandez is a 15-year-old street photographer from Los Angeles who finds inspiration in the everyday moments which most people walk right past. With her camera always close by, she captures the small details—glances, movements, and quiet scenes—that tell honest stories about life in the city. Arabella sees photography as a way to slow down and really look at the world, finding beauty in places that might seem ordinary at first. She enjoys wandering through L.A’s streets, always ready to catch something real, unexpected, or just simply human. Through her work, she hopes others will start noticing the little things, too.

Ever since I was young, I have traveled the world. I have seen many things but nothing compares to home. So, when I went to Japan, I decided to capture anything that reminded me of home. From Tokyo to Osaka, I saw L.A. in the hustle and bustle and the people. Doing this project gave me the lens to see my home in other places and I am forever grateful for that.

ABOUT ME
Ariana Soria is an 18-year old latina born and raised in Boyle Heights. She is enamored with her culture, art and her identity. Art has always been an outlet for her to experiment with new things and express herself free of judgment. Starting from painting, drawing, to making ceramic pieces, she has found herself down the path of a new medium, photography. She has found that photography allows her to capture the raw moments of her environment. It allows her to develop messages that are beyond what words can describe. Ariana loves photography because of its ability to create an image that has millions of interpretations, and because of the emotions that one photo can nurture. Throughout her artistic journey she has been self-reflecting and accepting herself as a form of art.

As adulthood approaches, I have felt a sense of a higher being growing within me, named “Sirena.” Little me dreamt of becoming her, a strong independent woman, and now, I cannot wait to meet her. Recently she has let herself be seen through my art, within my paintings, drawings and photography. My heart has felt stuck in the past, but she pulls me in and excites me for what’s to come. This project is dedicated to her, and eventually me. 

ABOUT ME
Brooklyn Castellanos (she/her) is a 13-year-old, second-generation Mexican-American who grew up in Echo Park, Los Angeles. Brooklyn is currently in middle school and photographs her community as well as her culture. Her second semester in Las Fotos Project has her learning more about her identity and getting more connected with herself as well as photography. Brooklyn is about to finish middle school and start high school and she wants to photograph herself in this stage while trying to incorporate herself, friends and family into her pictures. While she’s juggling school and other extracurriculars, she still prioritises herself and Las Fotos Project. She hopes that her photos give perspective on herself and her contagious laugh and exciting energy.

My La Vida Es Una Lotería photobook uses the Mexican card game, Lotería, as inspiration. I chose Lotería because of its vibrant colors and the stories behind each card. Instead of just photographing the objects in the cards, I am interpreting each symbol’s meaning through my own perspective. My double-sided zine pairs photos with a Lotería card and serves as an art piece that showcases both my photography skills and my appreciation for Mexican culture and the way stories can be told through pictures. 

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.

When your world spins too quickly, the wind still dances through the grass, the clouds still wander the sky, and sunlight still finds its way through. 

ABOUT ME
Estela Chavez is a 15-year-old Salvadoran-American artist born and raised in Los Angeles. She is a freshman at Alliance Neuwirth Leadership Academy. Deeply inspired by the books she reads, especially romance and fantasy novels, her art often reflects themes of emotion, strength, and transformation. Estela identifies as an ambivert: she enjoys socializing when she feels connected to her surroundings, but also values solitude. Her family has shaped who she is today, especially growing up as the only girl among three brothers. She draws much of her strength and inspiration from her mother. In her free time, Estela enjoys photographing nature. Beyond the arts, Estela aspires to pursue a career in the criminal justice field.

The faces appears like a dream slipping away from your fingers, lingering like butterflies flowing through the wind. 

ABOUT ME
Janelle Rivas is a 17-year old latina artist based in L.A. who hopes to pursue photography professionally in the future. She enjoys implementing fashion and color that help tie her work together. Janelle uses photography as a tool as she further navigates connecting with her femininity while implementing her culture. She typically uses location, herself, and friends/family members to do so. She enjoys expressing her identity creatively and the process of telling a story from her perspective, using it as a safe space for her to navigate certain complex emotions that might not be easy to put into words.

Monster House expresses the feeling of mourning the loss of a person who is physically here but someone you are unable to connect and have a relationship with.

ABOUT ME
Jessica Angel is a Chicana that was born and raised in Boyle Heights, Los Angeles. She comes from a Mexican family who supports and understands her interests, playing a big role in the person she has become today. The mesmerizing culture that has surrounded her since birth has encouraged her to take on the challenge of photography. She loves to stay busy and is always ready to captivate a moment through the lens of her camera, whether it is funny or serious. She has grown to love taking quiet and loud photos, capturing the deep feelings of a subject. She has grown out of her shell, using her digital and Las Fotos Project cameras to capture the most relevant feelings that she is going through in her high school teenage years and her everyday life in general. Jessica has fallen in love with capturing her everyday life with the sole click of a button, being able to remember and show her friends what she has been up to. She has also learned to express herself through the clothing and jewelry that make her who she is.

ABOUT ME
Jessica Murillo Lopez is a young artist from Los Angeles who takes inspiration from her culture, passions, and the small traits she recalls from people she has encountered. Raised as the oldest child in a busy household, she often approaches photography (and music) as an escape from a hectic academic life. Taking photos of things she loves, she captures moments in time that secretly whisper important stories. Her spontaneous bouts of creativity allow her photography to be adaptive and evolving, open to multiple perspectives and personal narratives. Through her art, she aims to evoke passionate emotions that convey themes of justice, equality, and identity as well as confront the unknown and undiscovered.

Reputation kills. One false move and the eyes of others pierce through your confidence. Unrelenting. Flickering images of what you should want to be. To survive, you need to become what they want you to be. I wanted my project to capture my intimate self, vulnerable to the death penalty of embarrassment: a death penalty granted by society’s cruel expectations. Regardless of who we convict with the crime of individuality, everyone is guilty of the crime of judgement. 

ABOUT ME
Leslie is a 17-year old artist based in East L.A. Participating in various programs throughout Boyle Heights has allowed her to develop an interest in a variety of subjects, such as baking, environmental justice, politics, photography, and reading. Though she is an introvert, she has learned that speaking up and being confident is a significantly valuable trait, especially in environments where being a woman of color becomes a challenge. Raised in a quiet household by strong female characters, Leslie draws courage from their unwavering strength, which inspires her to speak up for those who may find it difficult to do so. She is drawn to works that highlight themes of cultural identity and family dynamics, finding inspiration in artists like Meiko Kawakami and Fernanda Liberti. Through her own work, she hopes to offer others comfort and a deeper sense of understanding.

Taking pictures of myself has always been a challenge but I felt that doing so would be the only way in which I could truly depict who I am. At school I am usually more reserved, surrounded by the English language and its westernized views. At home I am surrounded by Guatemalan culture, stepping into the more vibrant parts of myself. One couldn’t exist without the other, being proud and confident of both parts of my identity is something I wanted to prove myself capable of. 

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.

ABOUT ME
Xitlali Ray is 16 years old. She was born and raised in Boyle Heights, and loves to capture hidden and bold messages in her artwork. This semester of Las Fotos Project, Xitlali aims for her work to bring a sense of pride from her childhood along with a deep understanding of how to live with arthritis at a young age. Although she was raised around a strong sense of community, Xitlali still felt that she didn't belong. She found her voice as an artist to be helpful as a form of expression and opinions.

In this project I wanted to showcase my resilience and my story on living with a chronic illness and feeling out of place around my friends, family and others. I’ve found strength to move forward and to keep thriving even with an illness that makes me feel weak. I do not allow this disability to define my past, future, or present. Instead I’ve pushed my way through with my art, creativity, and inner strength. 

ABOUT ME
Zubi Sanchez is a Latina photographer born and raised in Los Angeles, specifically Lincoln Heights. She is a 15-year-old freshman at Flintridge Sacred Heart Academy. She also has a little brother named Zeke and three pets.

Zubi first started doing photography as a means of self-expression and started doing it with a more professional camera in 2022. Her work is influenced by her culture, friends, and ongoing issues, whether it’s politics or her mental health. She has since worked on her skills and growth as an artist. In addition to doing photography, she also works on plays/musicals at her high school, playing the bass guitar, film, and so much more.

Jelly in My Hand represents my family within the theatre community. I have bonded with the cast and the crew, creating long-lasting friendships. I have cried, laughed, sung badly, and waited patiently for them to hand me their props and chairs backstage. This funky book I hand-sewed showcases the different personalities that can be seen within the characters played, the individual cast, and all crew. The long nights and weekends for rehearsals have made us stick together like jelly in my hand.