Happy new year friends! With the new year comes new opportunities, new experiences, and new memories.

In 2021, we saw a lot of life stuff come back, for a lack of a better term - concerts, sporting events, being able to go out for dinner or even go to the movies. Another thing myself and some collegues brought back was one of our favorite things to do to meet other creatives; the photo meetups. If you’ve never been to one, I highly suggest looking into it more. What is a photo meetup? It’s a really simple idea: bring a bunch of photographers & videographers to a studio or location to work with models. Sometimes they’re free, sometimes it may cost the most $50/person to help cover studio rental fees. Either way, it’s a great opportunity to meet new people, build your portfolio, and most of all: practice!

Please enjoy this gallery from when myself and fellow photographers Joey Mirales, Bernard Bella, and Samantha Baker, worked with LA based photo studio Time Machine by Another Hour Studios, to bring people together and create. Here’s to hoping we get to do more of these in 2022!

Let me know what you want to see, and where should we host our next meetup?

Who is Kenny Holland? If the name sounds familiar, you may have stumbled across his music during the time of Vine, or even on Youtube, where he’s posted covers with his sisters as well as original music; found his EPs on Spotify like Lifeline , and sometimes even playing in a city near you. From growing an audience at the age of 19 to touring all across the country, Kenny is a talented artist that has a fire for music that won’t burn out.

I first worked with Kenny a few years back during one of his headlining tours, and we’ve stayed connected ever since. During one of his recent trips to Los Angeles, we got together to catch up on life and capture some photos in the arts district of DTLA. Find out more about Kenny by reading below!

M: Tell me where you're originally from, and how others would describe you.

Kenny: I was born in Michigan but raised in Arizona. I don't know how others would describe me, but I'd hope they'd say I'm a passionate, purpose-driven person.

M: When did you realize music was your calling? What or who inspired you the most to pursue the entertainment industry?

K: I realized music was my calling when I was 14 years old. Justin Bieber and I are about the same age, and we have similar singing styles. His success helped me realize that I could be a musician too. John Mayer is my biggest inspiration, though.

M: Gotta love John Mayer. You picked up your following back on Vine, correct? How was that like? Do you think things would be completely different if your following didn't pick up on the app?

K: I did pick up my following from Vine, but I was working as a professional musician for years prior. It really just gave me the exposure to do what I love and for that reason, I'm grateful for it. It was a rollercoaster of a time. I think things would be monumentally different in many ways if it weren't for Vine. Sometimes the stars just align.

M: Since Vine, what have you been up to? You've released a couple of EPs, what has been the inspiration behind your music? What keeps you driven?

K: Before during and after Vine, I have been focusing on my career as a musician. But I have learned a lot about the many other priorities I have in life through my experiences. The inspiration behind my music is always life experience. I try to include as many concepts about life, love, and chasing dreams as possible. The fans keep me driven. The goal I've always set out to accomplish is to make a positive impact on the world by doing what I love and inspiring others.

M: You've been on tour a handful of times - what's the most memorable moment for you going on tour? What's your favorite part of touring? What's the hardest part?

K: This is a tough question to answer. I think the most memorable touring moment I have is opening for Secondhand Serenade - who I saw live at my first concert ever as a young kid. It was a surreal full-circle moment for me. The best part about touring is performing and being able to connect with the audience. It's what I live for. The hardest part is definitely the fact that it's a major grind. You're always on the go and always working. But I love to be in that space.

M: What would be some other creative outlets you would be interested in besides music? If you weren't making music, what would you be doing today?

K: My other passions besides music are basketball and snowboarding. They always help me re-balance and clear my head. I don't know what I'd be doing today if it weren't for music.

M: What’s some advice that you might have for creatives and artists alike to stay inspired and keep pursuing the dream?

K: We have the power to accomplish anything in this life. It's a grand experience and I believe that everyone is here for a reason. Find that personal legend, whatever it may be, and don't stop until you get there.