Today we’d like to introduce you to Zairre Wright.
Zairre, let’s start with your story. We’d love to hear how you got started and how the journey has been so far.
My journey began back in 2014, when I was living in Hawaii. My thought process was how could I live in such a beautiful place and not have a camera to document it I purchased a canon eos rebel t3i and used it diligently for a solid five-month period really focusing on using the cameras full potential, that then fell off I lost interest and kept all my energy towards skateboarding at the time.
Fast forward to 2019 I was feeling weird almost like sad that I lost an artistic spark which led me to break out the camera again that was stuffed in my closed untouched since. My girlfriend and I went to Julian, California and had a photoshoot there which sparked the creative mindset again! That year I Upgraded my digital camera for my birthday and wanted to meet some new people and further my motivation so while scrolling through Instagram, I discovered a group called beers and cameras (@beersandcameras) and decided to check it out since I love beer and had a camera.
The group was welcoming and a fun experience. I was asking a million questions at these meetups trying to get my knowledge up as much as possible while enjoying San Diego craft brews. After about two months of going (four meetups), My buddy Bert (@str33t.shinobi) gifted me a film camera! I blame him for lighting this fire!
Since then I have fell in love with shooting film. Buying and selling cameras to figure out what one I wanted to stick with, taking them apart completely and putting them back together after cleaning them, putting two broken cameras together to make one working camera. Learning the function of every dial and how they work together to create images. I now develop black and white photos at my house and color photos at safelight (@safelightlabs)
Fully invested from loading the film to digitally printing at my house, A photo show opportunity was presented to me by a barber at sovereign (@sovereignbarbershop), which was unexpected but turned out bigger than I could have imagined, especially for a first-time photo display. I am now about 2000 images in of either 36 or 24 exposure rolls and just now dabbling into medium format!
Overall, has it been relatively smooth? If not, what were some of the struggles along the way?
It has been smooth for the most part but with shooting film, there’s always the what if’s
– What if my roll comes out blank
– What if I didn’t load my film correctly
– What if I drop my camera
– What if my developing chems are exhausted
– What if I run out of ink while printing
Which have all happened to me. It’s not a great feeling taking the roll of film out of the developing tank and seeing you have 0 images because you didn’t load it correctly. But I can guarantee I take my time now, slowing down is what helps prevent most of these mistakes, Patients.
We’d love to hear more about your work.
I’m a photographer I capture moments. I’m really into development of San Diego and have a few ongoing projects of the beginning middle and finished buildings in SD which could be a cool long term project. I’m not sure what I’d be known for, I’m still pretty fresh. What sets me apart from others is I’m all over the place, I don’t have a specific one thing I photograph every day, for example you have your designated wedding photographer, a food photographer, the photographer that only shoots sunsets etc. Me on the other hand just kind of just blend everything together capture it all and display as I please.
Any shoutouts? Who else deserves credit in this story – who has played a meaningful role?
Credit is due! Bert as mentioned before (@str33t.shinobi) deserves the credit for all of my film work, I must have asked this guy over a thousand questions about all things photography, very knowledgeable and great dude.
Joe (joe_castle_) watching the way this guy photographs while out with him and then seeing the image when he displays them is incredible, also full of knowledge and if I ever need motivation through a photo book, I know he’s got me covered!
Julian (@deoliveiraa) this is my buddy from wayyyyy back! He’s moved to new york and been documenting it and his work has impressed me from subway photos to skydive time-lapse, real talent with a camera making the most of what’s available subject-wise. I love his art.(@beersandcameras) as a whole, I’ve met so many talented photographers, great people and has some fire beers through this outlet I don’t think my creativity would have become what it is now without discovering this group of people.
(@senorshred) for being one of my favorite photographers. Dalton (Theo.dalton.price) This guy! Amazing work dalton influenced me to take my camera everywhere I go. He’s traveled the world documenting it both on film and steady-cam it’s amazing seeing what he produces.
Mel (@pincushioncactuz). Thanks to my girlfriend for keeping me inspired, encouraging me to get my art of walls and being supportive even when I was printing for my photo show and had 56 8×10 photos all over the living room.
Contact Info:
- Email: zairre112593@gmail.com
- Instagram: @Photosbyzairre
- Facebook: Zairre Wright
- Twitter: Photosbyzairre
Image Credit:
Profile photo
Juan martinez (@juanny6pac)
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