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Los Angeles Times
28-04-2025
- Entertainment
- Los Angeles Times
Capturing the Journey
How long does it take to build a successful photography career? While the art of capturing that perfect image is a lifelong pursuit, some photographers find their niche in a stellar fashion. Take Canon Explorer of Light Laretta Houston - who in just thirteen years went from snapping on a point-and-shoot camera on her lunch breaks to being the first Black woman to photograph the ultra-prestigious Sports Illustrated Swimsuit Issue cover in 2019. Today, she's a hugely sought-after fashion, beauty, advertising and portrait photographer whose client list includes celebrities, TV networks, magazines and multiple major brands. 'When I take pictures, there's always a little bit of me - it doesn't matter what the subject is,' she said, chatting from her home in Downtown L.A.'s Arts District. 'If I'm not genuine, it's not me; it's not my work.' Houston's talent, tenacity, and indomitable spirit have taken her from humble beginnings to the globe-trotting life of an elite photographer. And she continues to lead by example in kicking down doors for Black women in her industry on both sides of the lens. From her very first camera, Canon gear has been at her side throughout, and Houston was invited to become a Canon Explorer of Light in 2021. Born in the Philippines to a Black American father and Filipina mother, Houston lost her mom from Lupus at the age of 13 and two years later emigrated to Long Beach. Mostly in foster care until age 21, she then bounced around various cities, ambitions and occupations - including barber school, working in grocery stores - before earning a multimedia and web design degree while juggling single motherhood. It was while working as a web designer and developer in Atlanta that a client saw potential in the photos Houston was taking during her downtime. Encouraged, she took the advice of a pro photographer on Flickr and bought a Canon EOS 5D Mark II digital SLR, which had just been released. Appreciative of the consistency and intuitiveness of Canon's interface, the interchangeability of their lenses, and their cameras' sheer quality and versatility, she has been all Canon ever since. Houston's work occupies a signature space between clean commercial aesthetics and editorial edginess, characterized by vibrant palettes, vivid lighting and a highly cultured sense of composition. Her complimentary abilities as a director of photography bring a holistic perspective to her visual storytelling, creating an instantly recognizable intersection of artistic instinct and immaculate technique. Meticulous choice of models, establishing a rapport with each before shoots and her visual storytelling style have further enhanced the resonance of Houston's diverse portfolio, which has spanned ABC's 'Dancing with the Stars,' Princess Cruises for Tyra's SMiZe & Dream, VH1, MAC Cosmetics, Broadway Shoes and many more. Ten years ago, Houston relocated from Atlanta to L.A., where she thrives amidst the city's vibrant fashion scene and myriad professional prospects. 'I would not have reached my full potential - I would not have enough growth,' she explained. 'There are more opportunities out here. We have a lot of big brands here.' It wasn't long before Houston's Instagram account caught the eye of supermodel and TV personality Tyra Banks. Before she knew it, she was flying first class to the Bahamas to shoot for the Sports Illustrated Swimsuit Issue, including an iconic cover portrait of Banks. It was a huge achievement for Houston, who laughingly recalled how her original photo agent back in Atlanta had wanted to promote her as the future first Black woman to shoot the Sports Illustrated Swimsuit Issue ('I didn't even think about it because I was, like, 'that's never gonna happen!'') As with all her work, Houston's exquisite 2019 Sports Illustrated shots were created with Canon equipment. Currently, her go-to body is the Canon EOS R5 Mark II, released last year - her first mirrorless camera. 'It's easier for me to shoot, especially shooting ad campaigns, fast-paced shoots, or if I'm shooting products,' she enthused. 'Because it just nails the sharpness of each shot.' The R5 Mark II is remarkably responsive autofocus tracking has proven a boon when Houston is capturing models in mid-movement, conveying their energy without sacrificing clarity. A self-described 'lone wolf' who doesn't always adhere to photographic conventions, Houston's favorite lens is a 24-70mm - an unusual choice for portraiture. Currently, she packs Canon's RF 24-70mm F/2.8 L IS USM glass for almost every shoot. (IS denotes built-in digital image stabilization; USM stands for Canon's quick, precise, and quiet Ultra Sonic autofocus motor.) 'It's very unusual for portraits but, at the same time, it's versatile,' Houston explained of the RF 24-70mm. 'If I'm shooting for a brand and I'm shooting a whole set, I can actually go in and shoot a real close up of the product.' Certain assignments call for Canon's RF 100mm F2.8 L Macro IS USM, with hybrid image stabilization that compensates for camera shake during even the most detail-oriented shoots. 'That's useful when I'm shooting products like MAC Cosmetics, or any cosmetic brand or shoe brand,' said Houston. 'If I'm shooting jewelry, I can see all the details, and that is of major, major importance to clients.' On occasion, she'll also use Canon's super-sharp RF 14-35mm f/4L IS UM on her striking fashion shoots. 'I use it to bring more character to my storytelling when I shoot fashion,' said Houston. 'It just makes everything pop out and for me that's really important. I love the creativity and shape, depending on how close you get to the subject - it's my fun lens!' As someone who recalls struggling financially early in her career, Houston appreciates that amateur photographers can seldom jump straight into pro gear. For enthusiasts seeking to step up from their phone camera, she recommends Canon's famously user-friendly starter cameras. Starting with the classic Rebel, a 35mm film model introduced in 1990, Canon has continued introducing and innovating starter model DSLRs for budding photographers, like their current simple, compact and mirrorless EOS R50. While continuing to shoot for some of the world's biggest brands and media outlets, Houston also plans to write what she terms a 'fiction/memoir' book in 2026. And she continues to passionately give back to the photography community that has so keenly embraced her. 'For me, the continuation of opening doors for other Black photographers to come in is not even my choice,' she concluded. 'It's my destiny.'
Los Angeles Times
23-02-2025
- Automotive
- Los Angeles Times
The Need for (Shutter) Speed
Larry Chen's twenty years as one of the world's most successful and influential automotive photographers have been as much a vocation as a career. A lifelong Angeleno immersed in Southern California's car culture since his teens, Chen captures performance vehicles in action like no one else, while also exploring the surrounding subcultures that make these vehicles so much more than just machines. His distinctive, emotional images have graced countless magazine covers, while he's today best known for his extensive work with the Hoonigan and Hagerty automotive lifestyle brands. From his very first camera, Chen has been accompanied on his creative journey exclusively by Canon equipment and is today an official Canon Explorer of Light. All of this is embodied in his first book, Life at Shutter Speed: Two Decades of Larry Chen Photography: a stunning 14x11' gathering of his favorite images and the stories behind them. SoCal Car CultureGrowing up in Santa Monica, Chen and his buddies would attend the LA Auto Show and hang out along the Pacific Coast Highway to spot luxury cars 'in the wild.' In his first car, a hand-me-down Volvo 740, he'd travel to events at Irwindale Speedway and Fontana's Auto Club Speedway, but also enthusiast meets at local strip malls, cruises, and auto fairs. Chen knew that he wanted to make this car culture his life, and his talent for photography was already evident even on a borrowed point-and-shoot. 'I combined the two passions. Because anytime we were at the racetrack people, even though they were enjoying the same moment that I was enjoying, would comment that they can't wait to see my photos,' Chen recalled from his West Covina home. 'I realized that people wanted to see how I saw things. I just took that and ran with it.' In 2003, Chen spent his entire savings on a Canon Rebel XT – a leap of faith that handsomely paid off as he honed his composition skills, use of light and, crucially, an instinct for key moments with more than a million shutter actuations over the following four years. His images rapidly evolved; he acquired pro Canon gear; and went from being a Speedhunters blog contributor to a full-time staff editor for that automotive site. A big break followed in 2012, when Chen became official series photographer for the Formula Drift franchise. 'I feel like it would not have happened if I didn't grow up in Southern California,' said Chen. 'Hot rodding in general started here … and it really is, in my eyes, still the center of car culture.' Photographing both cars themselves and their owners and fans, Chen has since captured almost every aspect of automobile sport as well as studio shoots for model launches and commercial campaigns. More recently, his YouTube content – Hagerty's 'Capturing Car Culture' and his own, behind-the-scenes channel, 'AutoFocus with Larry Chen' – puts him on both sides of the lens. Methodology & StyleWhile Chen and his Canon loadout work in all manner of circumstances and settings, from dusty off-road races to manicured studio shoots for major automakers, there are throughlines to his style and method. 'The first half of my career wasn't really solely focused on the beauty aspect of these machines – it was more focused on the people behind them,' he explained. 'Over time, it became more about the art aspect. What makes a beautiful picture? What kind of composition and lighting? And then also it gets to advanced techniques and unique, decisive moments.' Chen's approach is immersive: he speeds alongside off-road racers in his supercharged Toyota FJ Cruiser or 500-horsepower Toyota Tundra; captures the thrills of the Long Beach Grand Prix in his Toyota Supra; rides shotgun with builders and pro drivers or crouches trackside with his Canon EOS R1, the fifth model he has helped launch for the storied Japanese brand. Unsurprisingly, Chen is a major 'car guy' himself, his collection also including a beloved, much modded 1970 Datsun 240z, and his teenage dream car, a 2003 Porsche 996 Turbo. He participates in amateur races for fun, but also to remain connected with his subject matter ('I like to participate with everyone else, not just photograph it from the outside'). Canon & CreativityChen's career-long loyalty to Canon is down to its products' technical prowess, long-running user-friendly menu interface, and – for someone often shooting in the most demanding of outdoor circumstances, from desert to snow – ruggedness (not to mention outstanding support if repairs are required). 'No other manufacturer has such fast autofocus lenses,' he explained. 'I love shooting wide open … plus, most of the time we like to shoot with ambient and natural light, so it's always nice to have more light-gathering capabilities.' Currently, Chen's professional go-to body is the Canon R1, which he helped launch for Canon USA last summer. 'I utilize it for the speed, the dynamic range, the durability, and also just its image capturing ability with video,' he continued. 'It's essentially two cameras in one … and basically everything that I wanted in a professional camera.' Otherwise, he may use a Canon EOS R5 when a commercial shoot requires its huge 45-megapixel resolution. And his everyday, everywhere choice for photography and video is an EOS R8 ('The image quality is really good, the low light is incredible, but its small enough to carry with me.') Chen uses an array of Canon lenses for his diverse needs, but he does have his favorites. 'If I had to carry one lens for the rest of my life, it would be the Canon RF35mm f/1.4 VCM. It's wide enough for most situations, but with a fixed focal length,' he said. 'If I had to carry two, it would [also] be the RF135mm F1.8 L IS USM, [which] can completely separate something as large as a vehicle from the background, but you can step in closer to get details, textures, portraits, everything.' When he needs lighting to help freeze a subject, like the champagne pop on a winners' podium, Chen turns to the Canon Speedlite EL-1 with its convenient and eco-friendly rechargeable battery. Another major plus of sticking with Canon is the consistency of their cameras' intuitive menu system, which is essentially the same across the entire model lineup and over many years. For amateur photographers, he recommends Canon's entry-level EOS R10, in part because, like all Canon R Series bodies, it is compatible with a wide variety of Canon lenses, a wide variety of Canon lenses, including RF-S/RF lenses, or EF/EF-S lenses using the Mount Adapter EF-EOS R. Life at Shutter SpeedShot entirely on Canon gear, 'Life at Shutter Speed: Two Decades of Larry Chen Photography' is available for preorder now and in stores and online in June. ''Twenty years of shooting; 2,500 photos, 400 pages – It's pretty much my life's work up until this point,' said Chen. -Paul Rogers
