Photographer Andy J. Scott Heads "OUT HERE" (aka Fairfax) for Some New Portrait Work

For the last four weeks, east coast native, Andy J. Scott has been channeling energy from the up-and-coming Fairfax District in West LA. The area is building itself up to be the next big thing, adding a new variety of streetwear stores, restaurants, galleries, where musician, and creatives of all kinds come to hang. To introduce America to this neighborhood on the rise, Scott has created a portraiture series entitled “Out Here.” The pictures showcase the characters and personalities that make this neighborhood LA’s coolest new place to be. Tyler, the Creator, Rocket the Goon, Casey Veggies and Jasper Dolphin are just a few of the Fairfax frequenters you’ll see on Scott’s photojournalistic tour of the neighborhood’s grounds. While Scott’s work is minimalist, it is truthfully effective and he succeeds in showcasing why both his photography and the Fairfax District need to be on your radar.

Tell me a little bit about yourself and how you got into photography.

I just turned 27 and I was born in Maine. I went to high school and college in Florida where I studied video production. After college I was itching to stay creative outside of my day job doing video and found that photography was a good outlet. It didn’t require the big crews that video does to make good art and I became hooked.

How has your photography changed since that first moment behind the camera?

When I first started I was new to Atlanta and didn’t know many people, so much of it was wandering around shooting the city. I love doing that now more than ever in Los Angeles, but now portrait work is my main focus.

I can tell from your “Out Here” series that portrait work is dear to your heart. Do you find that you approach a project differently if it’s shot on location rather than in a studio environment? Portrait work vs. action shooting?

I don’t treat my location portrait work and street work too differently. My street work is about finding moments, objects and compositions, and my portrait work when on location is all about putting a subject within those compositions. My studio work is different, I like to make it as minimal as possible and all about the person.

When I first saw “Out Here” I immediately wanted to call you a minimalist, but then I saw your other work and thought you might be insulted. How exactly would you define your artistic style professionally? Would you say you have a certain approach, or vision that separates you from other photographers?

My friend Stephanie Gonot once wrote that my portraits were “quiet and thoughtful” and I think that is a good description. I like to keep things simple with lighting and posing, my goal is to make a lasting image of that person and I try to avoid anything that will look dated down the road. Lately I have been trying to let my work become a little less quiet while retaining that mood.

Your portrait series “Out Here,” definitely tries to capture a lasting image of what Fairfax is like right now. Can you explain a little bit more about the project? How did it come about?

The first shoot was just an experiment out of boredom and wanting to try some new equipment. I put out a tweet to see if people would come out to have their photo taken if I set up on Fairfax. Anwar Carrots helped grab people around the block and I ended up with more people than I expected, and as soon as I saw the work I realized it could be more than just a one-off shoot.

So after that did you just kept calling out to twitter and waited on Fairfax for everyone to show up? Or did you seek out artists that you specifically wanted to work with?

I worked with friends like Sean Lyles and Spaghetto to gather people up from around the block, and also just walked around telling people about the project.

Then Tyler the Creator, Jasper, Casey Veggie, Rocket the Goon showed up out of nowhere?

Anwar brought all of them on that first day of shooting. Casey I’ve worked with a bunch in the past.

As an east coast Native, why did you choose Fairfax Ave as opposed to an up-and-coming location closer to home?

I’ve been living in Los Angeles for a few years, and my first place when I moved here was right up the street. It’s a fascinating place and luckily right in my backyard.

Whats your dream shoot?

Man that’s a tough one. I’ll narrow it down for myself to make it easier, how about dream hip-hop shoot of current artists? Then I would probably say shooting Danny Brown in his home city of Detroit. That guy’s a character and great musician. For RESPECT of course.

Check out more of Andy J Scott’s work here!