Artist Spotlight: Phoenix – Framing Emotion Through Light
At 101-17 Studios Los Angeles, we’ve always believed that creativity thrives when people feel seen, supported, and free to experiment. Few embody that spirit better than Phoenix, a Los Angeles photographer whose cinematic approach captures emotion in its rawest form. Her journey from filmmaker to full time photographer shows what happens when passion meets purpose in a space built for creatives.
Phoenix grew up in a small city in Maryland, where early digital culture sparked her love for visual storytelling. “We were all making vines, dance videos, and video stars, just shooting with iPhones and iPads in our friends’ backyards,” she says. Even then, her intuition and sensitivity to aesthetics were clear. She didn’t initially see it as a career, but looking back, the seeds of her creative journey were already planted.
After a period of self discovery and restlessness in New York, Phoenix attended The Los Angeles Film School, graduating in 2023. But as she explains, the film industry didn’t feel right. “It all felt like climbing a corporate ladder, the farthest thing I wanted to do as a creative.” After losing her car at the end of 2024, she decided to take a leap of faith, building a photography business from scratch with no clients and no portfolio. Since January 2025, Phoenix has been shooting full time and hasn’t looked back, proving how much can happen when you bet on yourself and have access to a creative studio in downtown LA that fosters growth.
A Cinematic Eye for Still Moments
Phoenix’s film background continues to shape the way she sees the world. She often treats her subjects like movie characters, creating imagery that feels alive even in stillness. “Movement makes photos feel alive, even if it’s just one frame,” she explains. Her work embodies cinematic photography, where every shot looks like it belongs in a film.
While she began her career using only natural light, Phoenix has recently embraced more experimental lighting. “It’s easier to use natural light because it’s so high quality, but I want to be well versed enough to work with brands and studio lights,” she says. Her growing comfort with color and texture gives her photography its signature emotional depth. Lighting, for Phoenix, isn’t just a technical choice; it’s another character in the story she’s telling.
Creating Comfort Through Connection
One of Phoenix’s most defining qualities is her ability to make people feel safe and seen. “I was bullied a lot as a kid, so the last thing I ever want is for someone to feel the way I did,” she says. Her sessions feel less like photo shoots and more like open spaces for authenticity. That openness often leads to the kind of candid beauty that can’t be posed.
Her identity as a Black queer photographer deeply informs her work. It gives her a unique sensitivity and a drive to create images that reflect honesty, strength, and belonging. “There are so many people waiting to be represented in media, to be seen. I want my art to help give that permission.” Her focus on inclusivity aligns with our mission at 101-17 Studios to create a diverse artist community in Los Angeles where every creative feels at home.
The 101-17 Studios Effect
When Phoenix talks about 101-17 Studios Los Angeles, her gratitude shines through. “To have such a genuine and caring place where I’m free to experiment and grow is a huge blessing. Ryan, Alex, and all the other creatives here have helped set the foundation for my journey,” she says. “I feel genuinely taken care of here, and that’s the kind of experience I want to create for my clients too.”
Some of her favorite memories come from our early flash photo collaboration days, spontaneous sessions filled with laughter and creativity. “I miss those,” she admits. “Once I create more time in my schedule, I want to bring them back.” That spirit of creative collaboration in LA is exactly what defines the 101-17 Studios community, a home base for artists in Los Angeles to experiment and grow together.
The Artist Within the Frame
Lately, Phoenix has been drawn to the color red, a symbol of passion, power, and raw emotion. “It’s always been my favorite color,” she says. “There’s something piercing about it, especially when the subject is a woman or non binary person. It feels very true to who I am.”
Her dream project is a self portrait series exploring the depths of her own emotions, merging photography and mixed media. “When I shoot myself, I see parts of me I hadn’t fully understood, but they reveal themselves in the photos.” This commitment to creative storytelling through photography is what makes Phoenix one of the most exciting emerging artists in Los Angeles to watch.
A Vision Rooted in Curiosity
Phoenix’s approach to art and life is guided by curiosity. She’s never been one to follow a straight path, and she prefers it that way. “My creative path feels non linear and unpredictable. I just like following my curiosity in whatever form it takes.”
That curiosity has already brought her far. As she continues to grow within the our community, one thing is certain: Phoenix isn’t just capturing moments; she’s creating stories that make people feel seen.
For anyone searching for an inspiring creative studio in Los Angeles or looking to connect with a thriving network of artists and photographers in LA, 101-17 Studios continues to be a hub where creativity comes alive. We encourage all serious creators, artists, and innovators to apply for membership and be a part of a community with other amazing artists like Phoenix who are pushing creative boundaries every day in downtown Los Angeles.
If you’d like to check out Phoenix’s photography and creative work, check out her website here.
Written by Ryan Alberto
