rewound | EP. 8
Time for another guest playlist with Rewound.
This episode features Trevor Sena – photography and producer based out of Santa Paula, CA.
How would you describe your photography style?
This is difficult for me to answer because I feel like I currently lack a distinct style. My interests are often changing and with that comes a shift in focus within my work. Although lately I've definitely been drawn to strong, meaningful use of composition.
At what point did you start thinking more about photography as an outlet for expression?
I think once I started taking photography classes in community college I realized what I could really do with the tools and skills I had already accumulated while in high school. Continuing the classes allowed me to build upon these skills and allowed me to dive into what I wanted out of being an artist.
I notice that a lot of your work involves people. What is your approach when you’re working with a model/person for a shoot?
I've always been interested in the way a person can affect, or be affected by, their environment. My love for photography began alongside my obsession with fashion, making me immediately more interested in capturing the style and features of individuals around me. Most of the people I had worked with in my early career were already friends or friends of friends. Having established relationships often helped with much of the comfort and communication, allowing both myself and the subject to easily achieve the product we wanted.
When I transfered to CSUN to pursue a degree in photo-journalism I learned how to form these relationships faster so that I could meet certain deadlines, often forcing me to break out of my comfort zone. I'm still learning and growing my skills but I think that if you were wanting to get into portraiture I would definitely recommend building your social skills just to make it that much easier on both you and your subjects.
How do you express yourself through your photos?; How have you applied your history and experiences into what you shoot?
For the longest time my work was about highlighting other people. I would use them as the centerpiece, highlighting and building around their look. Instead of including any personal feelings or messages, I wanted to simply try to make others look cool. In recent years, I've realized the importance of having an overall concept to work with. I've made it my current mission to focus on creating work that has substance. This includes being able to explain any elements within my images, providing a more meaningful conversation and means of expression.
What would you say to someone who may be hesitant to take on photography?
To anyone considering getting into photography, I would just recommend starting out small. All you really need is an idea and support, you don't need the fanciest equipment when you can use what you already have and build off of that. Get comfortable with not getting it right the first time and push yourself to get better with every image, discovering what it is you want to see as you grow as an individual and as an artist is what will keep you moving forward.
What's your creative process behind music production?
As with most things in my life, I take inspiration from what surrounds or interests me and that often means stealing from my friends and favorite artists. I approach music production like a spider, hunting prey from my web as I attempt to grapple anything and everything that passes through it. This just means sifting through samples and instruments until I have a collection of sounds I find interesting, that interest usually being whatever genre/artist has my attention that week. I'm still very much an amateur so there's a lot of trial and error involved, but there are few things more satisfying than exporting a sick track that was nothing but empty space to begin with.
How would you describe your music choices in this playlist?
I wanted to build my ideal soundtrack for dancing alone at home. That doesn't mean you have to be by yourself to appreciate the playlist, or even home for that matter, I just wanted to promote the idea of enjoying something without compromise. The tracklist has a custom order but it's designed to be shuffle friendly, I wanted it to be enjoyable no matter how you listened. The songs included are from my past, present, and will most likely continue to be a part of my future as they hopefully become part of yours as well.
Thank you, Trevor for giving us the opportunity to learn more about you and sharing yourself with us through your music!
Playlist compiled by Trevor Sena
