Interview With Lifestyle Photographer Basil Vargas

Most people think lifestyle photography is over rated. Just pictures of people hanging out having a good time and thats about it. Technically, yes that is it. However, it's more than just that. It's not that easy to just have the shots look like people hanging out. They have to work well with each other, you have to be able to tell a story with the images, show emotions, ect. Basil Vargas is one of the many Life-style photographers I really enjoy looking at.

I recently went on a trip to LA this past week and met up with a group of photographers, Basil being one of them. I decided to interview him and see what he had to say about is photography career. The conversation went a little something like this,

1. Tell us a little about yourself?

I'm a 19 year old photographer from San Diego, CA. I love traveling, playing music, and meeting new people!

2. What got you started in photography?

I started with a web/graphic design background in middle school, so you could say I had some sort of artistic background beforehand. I did that for a couple years til my Sophomore year in high school. My cousin Ryan bought a Nikon D40 and I would use it every time I could, until I ended up buying my own. From there, I did the usual "dabbing in various styles of photography" til 3 years later I fell in love with shooting lifestyle.

3. What style do you mainly shoot?

I shoot lifestyle photography. It's my favorite because it's a very versatile style. A lot of people sum lifestyle photography up as "happy-go-lucky girl smiling at the beach photography" but it's way more than that. You can tell a story, portray an emotion, market a product, or document something candid. These different types of lifestyle photography add so much variety to the style, that I enjoy it so much!

4. What equipment do you use?

I mainly shoot with Canon equipment:

- Canon 1DS Mk II
- Canon Elan II E
- Canon 35mm f/1.4L
- Canon 85mm f/1.8
- Olympus Stylus Epic (always loaded with Portra 400)

5. How long have you been shooting?

I've been shooting for about 4 years now, but I began shooting seriously for about 1.5 years now.

6. Who is your biggest inspiration?

I honestly couldn't pick one. I am fueled off inspiration! Not by just photographers, but my friends, family, and my life. If I had to pick one photographer who's work I've been admiring lately, it would have to be the husband and wife team We Are The Rhoads. I am in love with their work because they're able to capture such candid-looking images but make them look very commercial as well. Big companies these days are looking for photographers who can shoot those "moments in-between the moments", and Sarah & Chris definitely capture it well.

7. Where do you see yourself with photography in the next 5 years?

I will still be the hard-headed kid from San Diego, that's for sure, but that's never going to change. But in five years... I see myself living in a big city, but constantly traveling for work and pleasure, while always shooting for fun. Taking photos was always fun since I started, so even 50 years down the line, it will still be fun for me.

If you like his work as much as I do, make sure to head over to his Facebook page or website to see more work and videos!