There are a few people that we’ve never seen without a camera in their hands and Felipe Lara is one of them. Felipe is deep rooted in the skateboard community and has a portfolio full of legends like Gonz, Andy Kessler, Quim Cardona, Steve Olson to Steve Rodriguez (and that’s just the photos he used for this interview). Below is a little Q&A with our friend/Photographer – Felipe Lara.
The Basics:
Name? Felipe Lara
What year did you start skating? I got my first skateboard when I was 16
What year did you start shooting photos? I got my first camera at 17 from my grandfather
Where are we right now? Jersey City, NJ
This or That:
Film or Digital? Film
Kodak or Fuji? Fuji
Canon or Nikon? Nikon all day!
BW or Color? BW
Sequences or cover shot? Sequences
Film or just photos? Just fine art photography
In the viewfinder or post (edit/crop)? Post
Aperture or Lightroom? Aperture
Stop down or wide open? Wide open
Location Stuff:
Where r u living currently? Jersey City, NJ
What’s your favorite spot of all time in NYC? Brooklyn Banks
Where would you like to skate/shoot/visit in the future? Japan
Who do you like shooting the best in NYC? Mark Gonzalez all day! He’s so funny and spontaneous.
Firsts & Lasts:
Skateboard setup?
First: The Gonz Vision board ,Indy trucks and Spitfire wheels
Last: Krooked cruiser , 169 Grosso Indy trucks and 60 mm soft wheels
Camera setup?
First: Nikon EM 35mm and 50mm lens
Last: Leica D-LUX 6 limited edition, compact camera
Band?
First: My all-time favorite – Motorhead
Last: The Jack Moves
Skate Website?
First: Thrashermagazine.com
Last: NYskateboarding.com
Skate Crew?
First: 5Boro
Last: Hopps
Skate Mag?
First: Thrasher
Last: The Skateboard Mag
Trick you’ve shot?
First: 50-50 grind Charlie Wilkins in Hoboken, NJ
Last: Kickflip Teddy Powell in Brooklyn, NY
Skate Spot?
First: The Brooklyn banks NYC
Last: The China Banks SF
NY Favorites:
Favorite skate spot in New York? In a big city there are too many!
Favorite skate shop in New York? I like KCDC
Favorite NY based skate brand? UXA
Favorite crew or person to skate/shoot with in New York? It’s hard to say too many good friends, but I really miss Andrew Kessler R.I.P.
Favorite New York based movie? Gangs of New York
Favorite New York based skate vid or section? The Jamie Thomas part in Welcome to Hell when he starts skating at the banks.
Favorite thing to do in New York off the board/behind the lens? Riding my bike around NYC, shooting different and interesting subjects. There’s a lot of that in the big city.
Favorite place to eat in New York? I love Katz Deli
Favorite bar in New York? It used to be Max Fish
NY Opinions:
What did you think the first time you visited/skated/shot in NY? Wow this city is big!!
What makes New York different than other places to skate/shoot? The people are unique in their own way, and it’s a city full of energy which never stops.
The Good of NY? It always keeps running… never stops!
The Bad of NY? It never stops!
Advice:
To anyone visiting New York to skate/shoot? Enjoy the city, keep your eyes open. Walk or skate the city.
General advice to anyone who wants to start skate photography? Get a film camera, and start with an original foundation. Be persistent and keep shooting!
Shout Outs/Plugs:
Thanks for giving me the privilege of this interview, thanks to my family and good friends for all the support always. Stay rad!