Photography Captured Through the Lens of Rickie Arnez

I discovered LA based photographer Rickie Arnez through his recent work on a digital cover story feature with Mackenro Alexander. The way he capture the cultural essence of Mackenro while bringing a level of candidness in each photo intrigued me to want to learn more about him.

Rickie, let us know a little bit about your background in photography. How did you get into it and how long have you been doing it. 
I started shooting photography in 2021 when I moved to LA. I started going out to clubs, events, and release parties to meet people and make connections. Most of my influence is the entertainment industry and that is where I took my direction. Shooting dope artists that I listen to became my goal.

Where are you currently located? 
I am located in Hollywood, California

How would you describe your photography style?  
I would say my style is candid and lifestyle. 

When capturing the essence of people or events, what do you focus on?  
When I photograph people I focus on the actions of people. Whether they are enjoying themselves, interacting, or just minding their own business I try to make the moment bigger and more meaningful. My end result is to tell a compelling story and make it interesting. 

What are some things you wish you knew before getting into photography? 
I wish I knew that carving out your own lane and sticking to that helps standout. Trying to shoot everything is cool, but knowing the steps to get to the bigger picture helps more.

As a photographer what are some of your rules when it comes to time for someone to be photographed by you? 
If I have a concept in mind I space it out like a week in advance. It helps me get everything in place and get locations check marked. As far as sessions I like to keep it short and brief. A good shoot can last 2 hours, but if the concept is big it could take a day. 

What are some of your favorite ways to photograph people?  
My favorite are studio sessions. In my opinion it is more personal and I can get better images because building that bond makes the talent comfortable. Uniqueness is a standard I want to hold myself accountable for.

Make sure you stay connected with him by following on Instagra @rickiearnez