Pastel Palette
Photographer: Elisha Lozares
1. What significant life experiences or events have influenced and shaped your artistic vision?
During my third year of post-secondary, I interned for a commercial photographer in Calgary, Alberta. That experience showed me how to bridge artistic vision with deliverables that excite clients, and helped me build the foundation for my freelance business.
More recently, traveling to Japan and connecting with Asian artists further shaped my approach. It deepened my love of bold color, from vivid palettes to unexpected textures while challenging me to strive for something other than the industry standards. I realized my best work happens when I lean into being playful, vibrant, and unconventional.
2. Collaboration often sparks fresh creativity. Can you share an example of a collaboration that led to an unexpected and exciting artistic outcome?
I find that collaboration always elevates the project. When I work solo, I sometimes feel my ideas get strained, not being fully fleshed out or that there’s one thing missing. But when I collaborate with a talented team, the project becomes a conversation between different visions.
For this shoot that got published, the stylist introduced both fun textures and sleekness into the looks, while the makeup artist played with contrasting colors that showed versatility between the outfits in a refreshing way. They challenged my original vision of pastels, showing me how colors could clash and still harmonize beautifully. With the models, It’s always so exciting and fulfilling to see the progression of energy and expression; this is truly where I see all the elements come alive behind the camera. The result was more dynamic and layered than anything I could’ve imagined alone. Collaborating with a team that knows how to break and bend the rules keeps the creative process exciting and pushes my work to new places.
3. Walk us through a specific project that challenged your creative boundaries. How did you approach it, and what did you learn from the experience?
On a branding shoot for a spa, I was led to believe by the media agency that hired me that I would lead creatively as the sole photographer, but on-site, an agency founder arrived and took over the direction early on. It was a challenging adjustment in the moment, creatively and professionally, and although I felt side-lined, I focused on staying adaptable, cooperative and positive while producing work that served the client’s needs.
I realized that while I can work under someone else’s direction, I am most fulfilled when my creative vision and the creative process is trusted. It underscored how essential both professionalism and creative trust are for me to do my best work.
4. In the ever-evolving art world, what do you believe sets your work apart and makes it unique or groundbreaking?
I believe my versatility sets me apart. I love photographing different genres and blending ideas from one into another. It keeps me creative and adaptable in which I can draw from different contexts and create something new.
Whether it’s a softer, more introspective photo or something bold and colorful, I always try to capture real emotion. I think the way my work ranges between introverted observation and extroverted vibrancy keeps my work fresh, dynamic and exciting.
5. As you reflect on your journey, are there any specific goals or milestones you've set for your artistic career in the coming years?
Coming from a very corporate city, I’m excited to lean into my more unconventional approach to commercial photography, to show that professional headshots and branding work can still be expressive, colorful, and sleek.
This year, I’ve set a goal to do at least nine personal creative shoots (this one included!) to stay connected to my artistic side.
I also want to refine my personal branding and solidify my creative identity as a business owner, and to bring back my love for mixed media and graphics, something I explored a lot as a kid.
Ultimately, I want my work to stay joyful, colorful, and true to my inner child’s sense of creativity.
6. How did you discover Mob and what made you choose us? <3
I found Mob Journal via Kavyar and was instantly drawn to Mob’s past publications and design! I think it stands out from other magazines on Kavyar, which resonates with my goal to continually be an authentic and unique creative.
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Photographer: Elisha Lozares
Model: Mona Iznait
Modeling Agency: NUMA MODELS
Model: Aja Nielsen
Agency: Numa Network
Wardrobe Stylist: Emilie Gagnon
Makeup Artist: Fern Wortmann
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Emilie Gagnon, Kept Clothing Collective