Djimon Hounsou x Dylan George x Arri

September 29, 2022 by kwakualston

/ I was asked by @dylangeorgebrand to create images for their men’s Fall capsule collection featuring @djimon_hounsou. My creative partners at @arri reached out to me that same week to try their new line of Signature Zooms and this was the perfect opportunity to bridge two brands with great talent and direct a motion piece. Motion footage shot on the Arri Alexa Mini LF with DP @bartenal_dp / Wardrobe stylist @ashleynorthstyle / MUA @oliviafischamakeup / BTS motion by @hagoth

Categories: Uncategorized • Tags: art of studio, behind the scenes, kwaku alston, photography

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

Behind the Scenes Black Hollywood with Essence Magazine

February 17, 2014 by kwakualston

Behind the scenes lighting setup and breakdown        Oprah’s glam team           2013 ended with one of the most exciting jobs of the year: photographing the much anticipated Essence Hollywood Issue featuring Oprah Winfrey, Forest Whitaker, Chiwetel Ejiofor, and Michael B Jordan.  Essence’s editors and these legendary thespians met me in Los Angeles, where we constructed a beautiful set to capture the energy and excitement of an epic year at the movies.  Enjoy these special behind the scenes moments.  Thank you […]

Categories: Behind the Scenes, Editorial • Tags: behind the scenes, black hollywood, Celebrity, celebrity photography, editorial, essence, essence hollywood, essence hollywood issue, Essence magazine, forest whitaker, hollywood, michael b jordan, michael jordan, oprah, oprah winfrey, time lapse

Professional Photographer Magazine Feature

November 10, 2013 by kwakualston

It was an honor to be featured by Professional Photographer Magazine as their cover story this month and have their support.  Read the article here.  Also in collaboration with Professional Photographer Magazine is my participation in the Imaging USA event in Phoenix, Arizona January 12-14.  You can find me lecturing on Monday, January 13th from 10-1130 AM about the art of photographing icons.  See the full schedule boasting a wide range of talent on their website. —       […]

Categories: Events, Features • Tags: art of studio, behind the scenes, celebrity photography, imaging usa, iusa, jennifer aniston, kwaku alston, lecture, photography, professional photographer, professional photographer magazine

Trent Reznor for Fader – #filmisnotdead

September 29, 2013 by kwakualston

Trent Reznor for Fader September 10th, 10:53 AM. Upload images to FTP for proofing cover. September 9th – 3:37 PM. Confirm correct negative for scanning. September 9th – 3:33 PM. Landed at The Icon with negatives. September 9th – 2:55 PM. Lost down memory lane. September 9th – 2:50 PM. Secured the box. September 9th – 2:45 PM. Locate the box. September 9th – 2:43 PM. Rushing to find negatives. There comes a time in your photographic career when you […]

Categories: Behind the Scenes, Editorial, Uncategorized • Tags: 1346 abbot kinney, 4x5, 4x5 film, 90s, archive, art of studio, behind the scenes, Fader, film, film archiv, film archive, film photography, kwaku alston, kwaku alston photography, music, music photography, nine inch nails, photography, reznir, Trent Reznor

In Between & Outside: Portraits by Sara Swaty Opening Reception @ Art of Studio Friday September 20th!

September 19, 2013 by kwakualston

Art of Studio is excited to present Sara Swaty’s 3rd solo show featuring her ongoing photographic social documentary, In Between & Outside. This portrait series examines different perceptions of gender and how it related to sexuality through exploring the human body and gender identity across a broad spectrum of individuals. Please come and show your support for a new rising star just hitting the Los Angeles photography scene.  Enjoy drinks and dialogue over this personal passion project!! To learn more […]

Categories: Events, Fellow Creatives • Tags: 1346 abbot kinney, abbot kinney, art of studio, behind the scenes, gender bender, gender identity, gender photography, in between and outside, kwaku alston, Los Angeles, photography, sara swaty, sara swaty photo, venice

Queen Latifah for USA Weekend

September 13, 2013 by kwakualston

Great catching up with makeup artist Sam Fine, and Tim Snell, who i worked with in NYC at the very beginning of my career in NYC. Guest DJ! Recently I had the pleasure of photographing hip-hop’s first lady, the radiant Queen Latifah, for USA Weekend with photo director, David Baratz.  Queen was an absolute joy to be around and infected everyone with her energy, from jamming out with the DJ to singing some soul as we worked outside. I felt […]

Categories: Behind the Scenes, Editorial • Tags: art of studio, behind the scenes, David Baratz, editorial, kwaku alston, latifah, Los Angeles, Photo Shoot, photography, queen latifah, USA Weekend

Industry features Art of Studio

August 28, 2013 by kwakualston

     Thank you to Leigh Andersen from Industry for the lovely feature on our Art of Studio space for the first installment of their Studio Visit series.  Read about it here.  We are delighted to share our mix of analog and digital media and experiences with the world.

Categories: Behind the Scenes, Features • Tags: 1346 abbot kinney, art of studio, behind the scenes, feature, industry, internview, kwaku alston, photography, venice beach, we are industry

Janelle Monae Film

August 22, 2013 by kwakualston

  This is a film I created while on set with Essence Magazine for the Janelle Monae cover story, and am excited to announce it is finally live on my website!

Categories: Editorial • Tags: art of studio, behind the scenes, Essence magazine, fashion, fashion sotry, film story, janelle monae, janelle monae film, kwaku alston, photography