| From Photoworkshop.com Images from the Industry  CLICK HERE TO SEE A GALLERY OF IMAGES BY ALEXIA PILATAll images © Alexia Pilat
Alexia Pilat is the Education Event Coordinator for Samy’s Camera, a camera store with six locations in Southern California that has a reputation for great service from a very knowledgeable staff. In addition to her work at Samy’s, Pilat is a talented photographer and artist in her own right. She says she’s always been geared towards the arts—“I’ve always had a creative sensibility.” She attended the Rhode Island School of Design in Providence, where she earned a BFA in photography. After graduation, Pilat moved to New York City, where she took time out from photography and got a job with a jewelry designer. “I did much of the color combinations for his seasonal lines of high-end costume jewelry,” she says. From there, she moved to Wilmington, North Carolina and worked in the film industry, starting in the art department. “It was a major film production town,” she explains. “At the time, it was a right-to-work state and you didn’t have to be in a union to work in film.” Her Niche in the Photographic World In Wilmington, she worked with a producer who made it possible for her to move to Los Angeles, and she had a job with a film studio for a year and a half. “I bought a point-and-shoot camera at Samy’s and started carrying it with me all the time. That got me connected with photography again,” Pilat states. “After moving to Los Angeles, I got inspired visually and responded well to the landscape. I liked the open sky, the palm trees and what I like to call the ‘urban decay’ of the city.” She did a photo project called “Los Angeles Stills” and worked making production stills on several independent films. “I’m a fly on the wall,” she says. “I observe situations before me, and I’m already in stride with it. I use my physical experience as my location. I’m not
For a short time thereafter, Pilat moved to Prague. “I was a little burned out on L.A. and needed a change,” she relates. But she eventually moved back to southern California, and decided to stay in the world of photography when seeking employment. “This is what led me to Samy’s,” she says, “although I was somewhat intimidated because everyone who works there is such an expert at what they do.” After she was hired, she worked in the film department at the Fairfax location, where she loved working with film. “Samy’s is such a resource for information,” she says enthusiastically. “So many people there are photographers. I wanted to stay in an environment that made sense to me. Customers come in, I’d hear about their photo shoots and the film they were using for their projects—you can get any question answered at any time.” Pilat moved up the ranks and became co-manager of the film department before she was promoted to her current position, Education Event Coordinator. “The owners decided they wanted to expand their existing ‘digital institute’ department at Samy’s Camera,” she remarks. “I was pulled in to start coordinating classes, workshops and lectures.” People can learn the basics of photography without having to sign up for courses at the local community college. “They meet photographers and industry leaders who have real experience, and have been doing this a long time,” she points out. “People can go to a one-on-one workshop with them and learn their techniques.”
Collaboration on an Art Book Pilat recently completed a collaborative book project with the artist Jason Rhoades. “He was a sculptor and installation artist,” she explains. “This was the final part of a project trilogy, called ‘The Black Pussy.’” In 2006, he had warehouse space on Beverly Blvd. in the Silver Lake/Korea Town area, where he built a massive sculpture with thousands of pieces that expressed his vision, objects which included neon lights, Mexican blankets and ceramic donkeys, and feather Dreamcatchers. “He hosted 'soirées' in this sculpture that he created,” she says. “The guests were asked to wear white. There were events for the night, food and entertainment. Socializing. I was there to photograph these soirees, make like paparazzi at times, hang out, and keep taking pictures.” When he was finished with the parties, the installation would be viewed solely as a sculpture from the outside. “The moment of time would just live on in the images.”
A Tie to the Photo Community Pilat enjoys photographing with a variety of gear, and says that one of her favorite cameras is an old Pentax point-and-shoot. “I’ve bonded with the rhythm of the camera, and love putting a roll of 35mm film in! With a small camera, what’s great is people respond to me differently and aren’t intimidated by a pocket point-and-shoot. I can almost see the picture before I take it.” When taking portraits, she also loves to work with film, and uses a medium-format Contax 645. “I’m working with digital as well, which offers opportunities in a different way,” she says. She recently acquired a Canon EOS 5D and is looking forward to bonding with it. “I believe that each camera has its purpose, and generally, I like to keep it simple.” Pilat says that Samy’s Camera has provided her with some great opportunities. It’s opened doors for her and she enjoys the caliber of people who work there. “Working behind the counter gave me a good feeling about what people want in these classes,” she explains. “Students have given me feedback about what works, what doesn’t, and what they’d like to learn. I feel very fortunate, and it’s a great way to be tied to the photo community.” For more information on Samy's Camera, visit www.samys.com. CLICK HERE TO SEE A GALLERY OF IMAGES BY ALEXIA PILAT© Copyright 2002 by Photoworkshop.com |
