TGS Collective Presents : The Funky Loft - A Photo Meetup

While CEO of The Gypsy Shack, also known as the TGS Collective, Alex Morehouse, was out of the country, she asked me to host one of their monthly meetups - and how could I say no? It was my first time hosting something as big as this, but I was very grateful to experience it and meet so many new faces! If you don’t know, meetups are a regular thing within the creative community online. It’s a way for people to build their portfolio, meet and network with creatives of all types, and create content for social media. I had been to several like this before, yet never had to host one. It was a learning experience for sure, and I would love to do something like this again! If you haven’t yet, be sure to check out TGS here for more info if this is something you would be interested in checking out in the future! Hopefully I’ll see you at the next one? See below for some of my fave shots from the weekend!

Make sure to click here for a behind the scenes look from the TGS Funky Loft! What would you like to see next? Comment below for blog ideas, who you’d like to see featured, and any other ideas!

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Best Photo Studios To Rent in LA (Without Breaking the Bank)

Ever since I made the move to Southern California, my methods of picking and choosing locations for photo shoots has changed quite a bit in comparison to when I was living in Northern California. In Los Angeles, there’s some amazing spots to explore and shoot at, from Venice to Downtown LA. The possibilities are endless! The only thing that could be holding you back about shooting in public are a few things; an uncontrolled environment, possible trouble with permits (especially for you filmmakers out there), or disrespectful people gawking at the model you’re working with. After trial and error, I’ve come to the realization of the beauty that is shooting in studios. If you haven’t dipped your toes in this genre, you better start considering it. It solves all the problems I’ve listed above, all the while making you focus more on the results you want from a shoot in controlled time periods and more. And most places even offer personal assistants (if needed) as well as different types of lighting equipment! I wanted to share some really great spots to rent out that won’t break the bank while doing so. If this sounds like something you’ve been searching for, scroll down to see what studio might fit for your next scheduled shoot!

*all photos listed below are from the studio websites

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1. LAvish Studios - DTLA

This space has become a favorite of mine - offering 4 different stages to choose from, you can create all kinds of different art with the variety they have starting at just $30/hour! You can check out more from them clicking the link below:

Check out LAvish

2. F/8 Studios - Long Beach

If you’re looking for a great clean and organized space with free street parking, you’ve found the right place. Great for headshots, products, and more, the simplicity of the studio backdrops is perfect for a minimalist vibe. Starting at only $50/hour!

Check out F/8

3. FD Photo Studios - LA (and New York!)

If you haven’t heard of FD, you must be living under a rock. With a huge variety of locations all over the Los Angeles area (as well as New York!!) this studio has so much to offer, with all kinds of affordable prices starting as low as $25/hour!

Check out FD Studios

4. Art Lab Photo Studio - DTLA

Art Lab has a gorgeous space with different looks to shoot - and a variety of equipment to work with! This space starts as low as $39/hour.

Check out Art Lab

5. Concrete Studios LA - Downtown Arts District

I personally have been dying to check this space out. They have a variety of different stages to choose from, including a rooftop location! This one starts as low as $30/hour depending on what package you decide on.

Check out Concrete Studios

6. The Jesus Wall - DTLA

The Jesus Wall is a one of a kind studio. Ranging from the major decorated and colorful rooms to a simplistic white room, this one goes for as low as $65/hour.

Check out The Jesus Wall

7. Revolt Society Studio - Long Beach

Here’s another fantastic spot with a minimalist vibe. If you’re looking for a classic and easy set up, Revolt Society offers this space that would be great for your editorial and lifestyle looks. This one goes for $25/hour with a 3 hour minimum.

Check out Revolt Society Studio

8. Redlab Studios - North Hollywood

When I stumbled across this spot, I knew I needed to share it with you guys! Redlab has several options for shooting space, whether you need a simple backdrop or a full on living room/decor set up. They start as low as $30/hour!

Check out Redlab

9. Rose Studios LA - Downtown Fashion District

I absolutely adore this spot. Rose Studios offers 3 different shooting spaces, including a rooftop! With gorgeous color schemes and more, this one starts as low as $45/hour.

Check out Rose Studios

10. Analog Record Shop - Long Beach

If you’re looking for a more retro vibe, this spot is the one for you. The Analog Record shop is an amazing space to work in, with a coffee shop right next door! Super convenient. This one is a bit pricier than the others, starting at $100/hour, but still worth mentioning.

Check out Analog Record Shop

What do you guys think of the studios above? If you know of other cool locations to check out comment below! Be sure to subscribe to my newsletter while you’re at it and follow me on Instagram, Twitter, and Pinterest and let me know what types of blog posts you’d like to see in the future! Thanks for checking this article out, and share it with all your creative friends you love working with! Hope you guys create some awesome content at these spaces!

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Artist Feature: Spencer Sutherland

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Back in 2013, there was a guy from Ohio that wanted to stand out and create something of himself, which led him to move out to sunny Los Angeles and pursue that passion for music. His name is Spencer Sutherland, an artist that I can positively say you do not want to miss out on. His talent has proved otherwise, opening for artists like MKTO, Ariana Grande, Big Time Rush, as well as being a contestant on The X Factor UK in 2017. His powerful vocals and style has huge potential and all I’m saying is I’m waiting patiently for the day for his music to blow up around the world because he’s that good. Stage presence: phenomenal. Personality: adorable. All around human being: priceless. Currently on tour opening for popular boy band In Real Life, I had the chance to take a moment backstage before his set at his stop in Anaheim, CA, and find out a little bit more about Sutherland’s career and how the tour life has been like on his first national tour.

“Don’t be embarrassed by what you’re going through and who you are, everybody embraces that.”

Me: Can you tell us where you’re from and how you would describe your sound to someone who may have not heard your music before?

Spencer: Ooh, good question. I’m from Columbus, Ohio originally, and if I had to describe my sound, I’d probably say something like left of center, pop, for all people.

M: Ah yes for all the people.

S: For all the people.

M: Very important.

S: Absolutely (Laughs)

M: How has the process been like over the years finding your sound? Do you think it’s an ever changing process, like experimenting with what you like vs what’s trending in the industry?

S: Yes, that’s an amazing question. It’s definitely an ever changing process. Every year of my life, I feel like I experience new things, and just learn more. The whole 10,000 hour thing is definitely a real thing; writing 10,000 hours of songs makes you so much more of a better writer. But it’s interesting too about the trends and stuff, because you do want to stay, you know, with what is happening kind of, but put your own spin on it. It’s definitely ever changing for sure.

M: You’ve released a few singles this year, when can fans expect a full length album or an EP?

S: At the top of the year (2019). Another single coming later this year. And at the top of the year, I’ll be putting out a whole body of work. I’m very excited, because it’s all stuff that I’ve written in the last seven or eight months too, so none of it is old stuff. It’s all kind of where I’m at right now as a songwriter. I’m very excited, just real life stuff.

M: Speaking of “In real life” -

S: Wow, I did not even mean to do that, that was awesome (laughs)

M: So you’re currently on tour with the band In Real Life -

S: What a segway, dude -

M: (laughs) I know, it was just so natural!

S: Yes, so we’re on tour -

M: Yes, so how has the tour been, and how has the crowd reaction been like in the different cities that you’ve been to so far?

S: The tour has been incredible, this is my first national tour ever, so it’s been really cool to, you know, you start playing the first few shows, and by the time it’s the ninth or tenth show, they’re starting to sing your lyrics. It’s super cool to see that, like as an artist that’s the number one thing you want to see. That’s been really cool, and then just playing show night after night, because you know, in the past I would play two shows, and then I would play two more, but here it’s playing show after show after show after show, and it’s super special.

M: And is every show different?

S: Yes! That’s the thing, sometimes a crowd is more energetic than the next one, it doesn’t make them any better, it’s just like the setting, or the sound, or how big the venue is or whatever, and you have to be able to adapt to that. Because if you keep the same state of mind the whole time you might be disappointed by some shows, but if you take them for what they are, it’s really awesome.

M: That’s amazing. Now, I have one more question and I ask everyone this that I get to interview because I like to get different perspectives. What’s some advice that you might have for creatives and musicians to stay inspired and keep pursuing the dream?

S: Wow, I would say that my advice is…number one, to be super true, real, and transparent because everybody can tell when you’re faking it. And everybody knows when it’s not a real thing. So that’s number one, just be true - don’t be embarrassed by what you’re going through and who you are, everybody embraces that. It’s 2018, you don’t really have to worry about anything anymore. Number two, just for me, it was putting in the time every single day, but also knowing when to chill, and have that time, because it really is important. Or else you’re just going to burn yourself out, seven days a week in the studio, doing stuff that doesn’t turn out great. Lots of work, and just being real, I would say.

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A huge thank you to Spencer & his team for having myself and Samantha Baker out for his show, and make sure to follow Spencer here and here to stay up to date on the new music and everything that’s in store. In the meantime, make sure to check out his latest music video for his single Fine below:

Be sure to check out the photos from his set at the House of Blues in Anaheim, CA below:

Who would you like to see me interview and shoot with next? Leave a comment below and be sure to subscribe to my newsletter to stay updated on all things photo and music related! Until next time! 

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Written and photographed for Spencer Sutherland, in association with The Gypsy Shack Collective (www.tgscollective.com)

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Copasetic: A Photo Gallery

Sometimes you find yourself at a networking event, meet some cool people, and all of a sudden you're doing a spontaneous shoot with a model you just met at said event. I met the talented and super bubbly Andrelina Perazzo while at an event in the LA Art District for the collective and agency I'm with called TGS Collective; my sister had worked with her before but conversation was nothing but full of positive vibes and inspiration. We noticed a gorgeous VW van in the valet parking lot next door, and couldn't help but to create some magic with what we had. To our luck, one of the valets was the owner of the bus and said it was totally fine to shoot with it! We were inspired by the vibrant and matching colors of the bus with Andrelina's outfit, and pulled together an edgy and moody vibe. Sometimes the most random shoots end up turning into something special! Check out what we captured below and be sure to follow Andrelina on her socials! 

What would you like to see next? What's the most spontaneous thing you've ever done? Leave a comment below and let me know! Would love to hear some cool stories you might have! Make sure to subscribe to my newsletter, and follow me on Instagram to stay up to date on all things photo! 

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