Featured Artist Luis Abel Espino Arvizu

Embark on a visual journey across diverse cultures through the lens of photographer Luis Abel Espino Arvizu. View more of his portfolio on his website.

 

Photo of woman in red

“A Red Aoi” photography, sizes vary

 

I was born in Mexico, and at a very early age brought to the U.S. to live my life here. The traditions of my native culture were strong with my parents, so they were showcased in front of me every day. As I got older, I got to live in two different worlds: the white American one in school and the Mexican liveliness at home.

 

Japanese mother in traditional garb and son

Japanese Mother Goddess and Her Son” photography, sizes vary

 

I saw many ethnic kids, including my brother, become embarrassed about their native culture. They would hide their language, food, attire, etc. and allow another culture to overshadow their own. As a kid, I curiously observed these occurrences. But I didn’t think about it too much at the time, until I grew older.

 

Photo of a young Somalian couple

“Catching the Fire of Autumn and Somalia” photography, sizes vary

 

As I grew in age, I became infatuated by Chinese and Japanese cultures. I started imitating their way of being. At age 12, my family and I went to a Chinese restaurant and a broken film camera was left behind at the restaurant. It didn’t work, but I was fascinated when I looked through the viewfinder and heard the sound of the shutter after every click. I took it home and it became my new eye.

 

photo of Indian couple holding hands

“Indian Engagement” photography, sizes vary

 

My family saw how much I enjoyed it and bought me my first camera, specifically a compact digital camera. I took it everywhere with me. But my main subjects didn’t have anything to do with culture and diversity at this time. It was nature and beautiful objects. And sometimes fish.

 

photo of a Chinese girl with a fan

“Chinese Girl and Her Fan” photography, sizes vary

 

When I was 16, my brother bought me my first DSLR. I marveled at the power this camera held, the way it could make time and space timeless. I started taking more pictures of people, and then I had friends ask me to photograph them.

 

Photo of a young Eritrean woman

“The Beauty of Eritrea” photography, sizes vary

 

In due time, I started looking into it as a professional career. I started small by taking pictures of close family and friends. Once I was sure this is what I wanted to pursue, I saved $5,000, and went to Kroger to buy $5,000 worth of Amazon gift cards. I bought a Canon 5d Mark I and lenses on Amazon, while getting free gas for two months with the fuel points.

 

photo of a Flamenco dancer

“Flamenco Dance in the Wild” photography, sizes vary

 

I became more fascinated by culture and diversity as I interacted with more people from different walks of life. And I noticed how at that time (about 14 years ago) virtually no one spoke of culture or appreciated diversity. I still saw people from different countries being embarrassed of their own. It infuriated me and caused me sadness. This inspired me to capture the best pictures I could in order to showcase their beauty.

 

photo of a South Asian wedding ceremony

“South Asian Wedding” photography, sizes vary

 

I wasn’t very good at marketing (and still struggle with it) so I began printing fliers and going to shops. At a Vietnamese nail salon where I dropped some off, I had a small chat with the clerk. A Vietnamese customer overheard and excitedly asked if I was a wedding photographer. I said I was, and it became the initiation to photograph culture and diversity professionally.

 

Luis Abel Espino Arvizu invites you to follow him on Instagram.

 

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