It’s no secret that getting a break in Hollywood is difficult for artists and creatives. Previously, it was all about who you knew and had access to. Nowadays, anyone can post anything on social media and become the latest viral sensation.
Not everyone, however, is satisfied with 15 minutes of fame. Evan Parsons works as a photographer for a well-known advertising agency in Los Angeles. The Vancouver native isn’t content with simply shooting for the stars – he wants to carve his own legacy.
Parsons discusses how he started the business and how social media helped him pursue his goals.
How would you describe what you do?
EP: I’m the one who takes the photos that appear on billboards. My goal is to take photographs that catch your eye while you’re driving down the highway at 70 mph. I work on set and record as much interesting information as I can, which is then used for advertising, billboards, online, portraits of musicians for publications, and other purposes. I occasionally create video content for Spotify. That’s the best part of the job, the variety.
How did you get started in the business?
EP: I started taking photos later than most professional photographers because I originally wanted to be a filmmaker in Vancouver and had no interest in still photography. Years later, I recall my girlfriend having an old camera lying around. Unemployed, bored, and saddled with student loan debt, I took her camera on a walk one day, took some photos, looked at them, and thought to myself, “I think I finally know what I want to do with my life.”
I began photographing whatever I pleased and uploading it to Instagram. Over time, I realized I had developed my own style, and people started following and purchasing prints. This led to my first real job, photographing behind-the-scenes on a small indie film called “Anthem of a Teenage Prophet,” starring Juliette Lewis.
How did you land the gig at Park Pictures?
EP: While my personal work on Instagram was still gaining traction, my film work transitioned into advertising work. Many people are unaware that some of the world’s largest film and advertising productions end up filming in Vancouver, and the connections I made there brought me onto a lot of big sets to take photos for brands like Apple, Google, and Audi.
I began meeting numerous individuals from some of the largest commercial production companies in the world. Park Pictures liked my work so much that they invited me to Los Angeles and “created” a position for me as their sole photographer. That was huge for me.
Can you describe your art or photography style?
EP: My work has been compared to that of William Eggleston, Stephen Shore, and Alec Soth, which is an enormous compliment. All of those photographers inspire me, and I appreciate how they not only create beautiful images but also have a humorous undercurrent to what they shoot.
A photograph should entice you to explore the world beyond the image and ask yourself, “Wait a minute – what’s going on here?” The best photos hint at an unspoken story.
How do you balance having a regular job and making your own art?
EP: The most important thing is not to beat yourself up and to be content with allowing yourself to rest so that you can seize it without being hindered by negativity when inspiration strikes. If I’m simply too tired to think of anything, I don’t force it. “Do I need a break?” I ask myself, and if so, I take it. When I feel inspired again, I’m recharged.
What are some of your most notable achievements so far?
EP: This year has been a big year for me professionally and personally. I recently finished a big campaign for Delta Airlines for the Winter Olympics, where I was the only photographer chosen to take portraits of the USA Olympic team. I’m also finalizing plans to renew my contract with Park Pictures.
Following the success of my work on Instagram, I was able to exhibit at galleries such as Black Box Gallery in Portland, Jones Gallery in Kansas City, and LoosenArt Gallery in Rome, Italy. In addition, I received a People’s Choice Award from Feature Shoot, one of the more well-known online photography communities.
What are your future plans?
EP: I’m working on a personal, top-secret photo project that will be published as a book soon. I hope to keep creating and eventually exhibit my work in prominent galleries such as the MoMA.
I want to blur the line between my personal and professional work so that they feel essentially the same and nothing feels like “work” any longer. Is that too much to hope for? Probably. But I’m going to give it a shot anyway.
How is social media helping you achieve your goals?
EP: Although it happened by chance, Instagram provided me with a platform on which I could essentially curate my own art gallery with each piece I created. I didn’t realize it when I started, but this was my “portfolio.” I really just wanted my own space to show my work, and thankfully, people responded, giving me the confidence to keep creating. It still helps me see what people like and don’t like, which allows me to better curate my work.
Any advice for aspiring artists who want to make it in Hollywood?
EP: The most important advice I can give you is to stop saying “No.” You’ve already failed the moment you say that. Allow yourself the opportunity to succeed. You never know where you’ll end up.
For more information on Evan Parsons, visit his official website and follow him on Instagram.
evanparsons.co
evan@parkpictures.com
