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

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

Art of Studio open Today 11-6!

October 12, 2013 by kwakualston

Off the presses, fresh from Japan Art of Studio is open Saturdays 11-6, so stop by and check out our current exhibit on view, In Between & Outside,  fine art books on view, including special work by Japanese photographer Shingo Wakagi, Venice: A Village by the Sea, and #handadventures prints and books!  Find us at 1346 Abbot Kinney Blvd, Venice, CA 90291 Phone us 310 392 9957 ext 4

Categories: Venice • Tags: abbot kinney, art gallery, art of studio, fine art, fine art prints, gender, gender bender, handadventures, kwaku alston, Los Angeles, los angeles art opening, los angeles events, sara swaty, venice, venice art, venice art gallery, venice beach, venice california

Volkslivin’ Featured on Next Avenue

September 30, 2013 by kwakualston

  “The VW Bus Rolls Into the Sunset” Volkwagen vans hold a special place in my heart; it was our family vehicle for many years, and when I made my big move to Venice, California they appeared everywhere.  Whether a Westfalia, Kombi, or a Samba, these adventure wagons have a characteristic unique beauty that I am constantly inspired to capture.  So when news came that in December of this year, the company will shut down it’s last factory, I felt […]

Categories: Uncategorized • Tags: adventurewagen, art of studio, kwaku alston, kwakushop, life photography, lifestyle, Los Angeles, love, photography, venice, venice beach, volkslivin, Volkswagen

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

Explore, Shoot, Critique: Venice Beach Street Photography Workshop – August 31st

August 19, 2013 by kwakualston

To end the summer with a bang, we are offering a 1-day Venice Beach Street Photography Workshop for $295 for all of you adventurous photographers– amateur, professional, and anything in between.  Register on Kwakushop to reserve your place today. The Venice Beach Street Photography Workshop is a fun and intensive 1-day workshop held in Venice Beach, California. I will personally guide you through the streets of Venice, where I have called home for over 10 years, and share my street […]

Categories: Events, Venice • Tags: abbot kinney, abbot kinney street photography, abbot kinney workshop, california, iphone, kwaku alston, Los Angeles, los angeles photo workshop, los angeles street photography, los angeles street photography workshop, photography, photography workshop, street photography, street photography workshop, venice, venice beach, venice beach photography workshop, venice beach street, venice beach street photography, venice beach workshop, Venice Los Angeles, workshop

Venice Bikes Book Signing 2-5PM – 1346 Abbot Kinney

July 3, 2013 by kwakualston

This upcoming Sunday, July 7th, from 2-5, at Art of Studio- 1346 Abbot Kinney- Michele Castagnetti will be at hand to sign his latest photographic book Venice Bikes, which essays the abandoned, customized, eccentric and iconic bicycles of Venice. Check out the Argonaut Newspaper article to learn more about Michele’s inspiration for the Venice Bikes series.  Pick up a copy at the signing or check it out on Kwakushop. About the Book: Los Angeles, and especially the iconic beach community […]

Categories: Events, Fellow Creatives • Tags: 1346 abbot kinney, art of studio, behind the scenes, Bicycle, Cycling, Los Angeles, Michele Castagnetti, photography, venice, venice beach, venice bikes