FACE OFF Judge: Dee deLara, Smashbox Studios
Photography by Diana Koenigsberg; Art Direction by Dee deLara
We’re counting down to the big reveal. It’s just a couple more days ’til we name the winner of this year’s FACE OFF competition. Rounding out our panel of esteemed judges, who include Julia Dean, Victoria Brynner, Melissa Rodwell, Joanne Gair, Brent Bolthouse, Luis Barajas, and Albert Kodagolian–is Smashbox’ very own Dee deLara.
Photography by Diana Koenigsberg; Art Direction by Dee deLara
Dee deLara is a force to be reckoned with. With over fifteen years of experience in art direction and kicking butt, Dee continues to drive creative community & business as the Creative Director & VP of Smashbox Studios. The LA-native attended the Art Center College of Design before going on to work non-stop in entertainment as a graphic designer, creative director, and partner in a boutique advertising agency. Dee’s knack for creative marketing and keen eye for all things design have been instrumental in branding Smashbox as LA’s premier photo & film studio–regularly hosting photo shoots, film shoots and incredible events…just like FACE OFF 2009′s big bash. Sounds like she has just the eye to spy a winner…
We got a chance to sit down with Dee & ask a few questions. Here’s what she had to say…
Name
Dee deLara
Dee deLara
Occupation
Creative Director/VP – Smashbox Studios
Connection the photography world?
See above.
When did your love of photography start?
I bought Bruce Weber‘s O Rio De Janiero book 100 years ago. It was the most exciting thing I had seen. Vivid colors. Sexy, beautiful people. It’s still an amazing experience when I open it up.
What makes a strong image for you?
An element of magic seems to exist in an image that calls me back to look and look again.
Who’s out there shooting great images today?
I think we have some talented up-and-comers in the ranks with our very own 1st assistants making pictures that are very strong. Steven Kahn, Hussein Katz, Ryan Schude, Nik Jung, Ricky Middlesworth, Trevor Smith and Anthonie Gonzalez all have made pictures I love.
Who is the Andy Warhol of today?
I think Shephard Fairy has some of the same type of notoriety going on.
FACE OFF is a competition. Do you think you’ll recognize a winning image as soon as you see it?
As I’ve seen some of the entries this year–no. It’s a much stiffer competition.
What do you think the secret to succeeding in photography is today?
Balls. Yes. Lots of balls. It’ll give you the drive to persevere, build relationships and work hard.
What counts most: raw-talent or fine-tuned skill?
Raw talent.
Raw talent.
And finally, what are you currently doing to keep the LA photo scene alive?
First off, the FACE OFF competition keeps up-and-coming photographers motivated. And now that we’re actually curating the show, it raises the bar and makes the competition stiffer. Throwing a full tilt, opening night bash is icing on the cake and gets everyone jazzed to be a part of the photo scene. Secondly, we’ve just now started a series of pop-up shoots wherein we invite promising young photographers with a healthy following, to shoot on location and spread the word through our social media networks. The project encourages the public to get involved on-location, on-line and excited about photography in general. And finally, our Yello! blog connects Smashbox with the LA cultural scene. They are all powerful methods to keep the LA photo scene strong.
First off, the FACE OFF competition keeps up-and-coming photographers motivated. And now that we’re actually curating the show, it raises the bar and makes the competition stiffer. Throwing a full tilt, opening night bash is icing on the cake and gets everyone jazzed to be a part of the photo scene. Secondly, we’ve just now started a series of pop-up shoots wherein we invite promising young photographers with a healthy following, to shoot on location and spread the word through our social media networks. The project encourages the public to get involved on-location, on-line and excited about photography in general. And finally, our Yello! blog connects Smashbox with the LA cultural scene. They are all powerful methods to keep the LA photo scene strong.
