An element of youth is often associated with both sex and fashion, so what better example of both than 18-year-old aspiring California-based photographer Bryant Eslava. The self-taught talent has already contributed to numerous magazines including Nylon Mexico, Nylon Guys, Carpaccio Magazine, Acme Magazine, Inkult Magazine, Unicorn/Dream Magazine and Slang Magazine. In addition, he’s worked with renowned musicians including M.I.A and Toro Y Moi. Having developed a distinctive and beautifully executed style, the Southern Californian teen will be moving to New York City this August to undertake a B.F.A degree in Photography. While he’s still a bright young thing Sex & Fashion caught up with him and got the low down on his take on sex, style and fashion.
Rachel Schwartzmann: Would you say your work at times is sexy?
Bryant Eslava: Sometimes, it depends on the mood and idea behind the shoot. For the most part, most of my photographs that are labeled ‘sexy’ are the ones with females in bathing suits.
Rachel Schwartzmann: What is your take on sex and fashion? Do you feel that sex is a strong motivator for individuals to want to own or wear certain clothing?
Bryant Eslava: It all depends on the person, for example American Apparel ad’s are very sexual and yet make some people want to own the clothing they see in the ad’s, for some people it doesn’t work that way.
Rachel Schwartzmann: Where do you draw inspiration? What steps are necessary to help make your vision actually become translated through a photo?
Bryant Eslava: I mainly draw my inspiration from music, I’m very into the genre’s downtempo/dream-pop/ambient, all it takes a song for me to start making a photograph in my mind and I eventually shoot it.
Rachel Schwartzmann: Do you think showing less skin makes someone more sexy or physically appealing? What (in your opinion) does a person have to do to be sexy?
Bryant Eslava: Not exactly. I think it mainly depends on who’s showing less skin. A person can still be very sexy while wearing clothes.
Rachel Schwartzmann: Because you are so young do you feel that your definition of sexy and your taste in fashion will change as you grow older?
Bryant Eslava: Possibly, I’m always trying to change things up when it comes down to it. I don’t want to bore myself.
Rachel Schwartzmann: What are your goals for the future? Do you see your self continuing to do fashion photography?
Bryant Eslava: Hopefully traveling the world and receiving greater opportunities. I’ll continue fashion photography until the very end, but I’ll mix things up with it.
Rachel Schwartzmann: Any sexy secrets you’d like to share?
Bryant Eslava: I’m sexy. (Haha!)
Rachel Schwartzmann: So on an end note what is more appealing to you individually? Sex or Fashion?
Bryant Eslava: Fashion first and sex secondly, they are both beautiful.
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