Celebrity On White Portrait Series on display at E! Entertainment Network

April 26, 2014 by kwakualston

Kwaku’s career as a commercial and celebrity photographer began in New York where he worked for clients such as The New York Times Magazine, Sony Music, Rolling Stone and Miramax Films. Since opening his own studio in the pop culture hub of Venice Beach, California, he’s shot for top publications, film studios and TV networks as well as taken portraits of celebrities ranging from Tiger Woods, Samuel Jackson, Brad Pitt, Ashton Kutcher and Heath Ledger to Michelle Obama, Halle Berry, […]

Categories: Behind the Scenes, Inspiration, Personal, Uncategorized • Tags: art of studio, behind the scenes, Celebrity, fine art, hollywood, life photography, Los Angeles, photography, time lapse

#Photolife – Instagram Featured Photographer

February 8, 2014 by kwakualston

The tools of the trade have changed a lot in the past 5 years–while I still carry my favorite camera equipment, my iPhone is always at hand, ready to capture moments wherever I go at the simple touch of a screen. I fell hard and quick for Instagram when I joined in May of 2012.  It soon became embedded into my workflow, so I’m honored to say I am one of Instagram’s suggested photographers to follow, alongside other incredibly talented […]

Categories: Events, Personal, Uncategorized • Tags: asia, bali, instagram, instagram feature, kwaku alston, photolife, travel, travel photography

Five Minutes with Nelson Mandela

December 15, 2013 by kwakualston

Last Friday, I was lost in the endless to-dos of production for an upcoming photo shoot. I’ve been there many times before. I enjoy what I do and the countless responsibilities that go with it. But in the past year, I began a new important job: being a dad.  So, amid all the preparation and paperwork for the shoot, I was also preoccupied photo-shopping images of Kaveh’s favorite toys to print and decorate the walls of our living room for […]

Categories: Inspiration, Personal, Uncategorized • Tags: 8x10, 8x10 deardorff, 8x10 film photography, 8x10Deardorff, art of studio, black aids institute, deardorff, film photography, history, Johannesburg, kwaku alston, kwaku alston nelson mandela, Large format, mandela, Mandiba, nelson mandela, photography, President of South Africa, south africa

Farewell, Sweet Summer

October 22, 2013 by kwakualston

Double Rainbow in Kauai before Flossie hits. My son’s first time in Hawaii. Flying over Arizona Sedona New York City The end of summer always seems to come later in LA.  Although it’s already October, I still can’t let go of the summer season, despite the looming chill that slowly creeps in.  Here are some of my favorite images this past summer: from Hawaii to Sedona to  quintessential Venice moments.  This past summer has been even more special having my […]

Categories: Personal, Uncategorized • Tags: arizona, beach, california, flossie, hawaii, Kauai, la, life, life photography, Los Angeles, photography, sedona, summer, travel, tropical storm, trvel photography, venice, venice beach, venice california

Love & Rockets

September 14, 2013 by kwakualston

  Saturday morning cafe racer drive by on Abbot Kinney.

Categories: Personal

Remembering the Legend: Martin Luther King’s March on Washington

August 28, 2013 by kwakualston

Coretta Scott King Today marks the 50th-year anniversary of Martin Luther King’s March on Washington and his speech “I Have a Dream.” My grandparents made the trip down from Philadelphia to DC to march on Washington with many of their peers travelling from around the U.S. They often spoke of that day and how important it was for me to be proud of who you are and show yourself in the best light, no matter the trials and tribulations you […]

Categories: Personal • Tags: 1346 abbot kinney, art of studio, coretta scott king, kwaku alston, martin luther king, photography

Go Westy – Volkslivin’

June 18, 2013 by kwakualston

     If it wasn’t obvious already, I’ll share this secret with you–I’m obsessed with finding the perfect Camper Van for my family and I to travel along the California coast and beyond. The Volkslivin’ project began over 4 years ago, and now it has blossomed into its own community.  People around the world have shared stories with me of what this special auto means to them and how my photos ignited a feeling deep within them.  Vanlife is a […]

Categories: Personal, Volkslivin' • Tags: art of studio, Autos, big sur, california, camper van, Campervan, cars, GoWesty, kwaku alston, life photography, love, photography, travel, vanlife, volkslivin, Volkswagen, VW, VW bus

Our First Father’s Day

June 16, 2013 by kwakualston

I’ve watched you grow so quickly over the past 6 months—it’s hard to believe this time last year you were in your mother’s womb kicking so hard we thought you would emerge as a soccer player, complete with a jersey and cleats. When you first appeared into our world, splashes of sunlight exploded in my eyes and exuberance overwhelmed me. In the delivery room, where we first laid eyes on you, we could not help but shed tears of joy.  […]

Categories: Personal • Tags: art of studio, fathers day, kwaku alston, love