Melissa Phillips

This short film is a portrait of my friend, Gustavo Otzoy — who he was behind the time he spent unhoused and the work he did as an activist. Gustavo was a proud Guatemalan immigrant and a deeply compassionate advocate for his community. After being forcibly evicted from Echo Park Lake in 2021, he became a powerful voice for housing and immigrant justice through LA CAN (@lacanetwork_official ), Street Watch (@streetwatchla ) and CHIRLA (@chirla_org ). I was particularly moved by the role Gustavo's mother played in his life — the grief he carried with him and the kindness she shared. I shared a rough cut with Gustavo and close friends at his birthday in 2022. He didn’t live to see it reach a wider audience. The finished film was first screened at his memorial at Echo Park Lake in December 2023, shortly after his death. This is the first time it’s being made publicly available. (While Instagram is not always the best place for slow-paced, longer-format pieces, you can also find it in its intended 4K format on my website, as well as Vimeo.) "I Am Gustavo" was recognized by several independent film festivals, including NewFilmmakers LA (@nfmla ) and the Awareness Festival (@awarenessfest ) in Los Angeles. Thank you to everyone who's supported this work. CREDITS Director: Melissa Phillips (@hellomissmelissa ) Cinematographer: Sinjun Balabanoff (@sinjunb ) Editors: Melissa Phillips, Shawn Skadburg (@shawnes ) Colorist: Stephen Latty (@stephenlatty ) Sound Editing: Eric McCann (@mccannaudio )

I recently shot the new brand campaign for the incredible Black-owned craft-beer company, @crownsandhops , showcasing their ‘dope and sexy’ new look. We kept it authentic: no models, just real people who came out to Creature Comforts in DTLA during Crowns & Hops’ last weekend of their residency. The community showed up, the energy was easy, and the photos reflect exactly what Beny and Teo have built. They pour so much of themselves into this work. They’re two incredible humans and I’m lucky to call them friends. Excited to see where they take this next. (There are a ton more photos from this project so stay tuned…)

Pride in Skid Row looked like joy, self-expression and chosen family — something that’s important more than ever. I set up a pop-up portrait studio at LA CAN’s Pride event to capture guests and document what pride means to people in their own words. Grateful to LA CAN for the invitation and trust to photograph such a vibrant community. Sharing just a few portraits and voices from the day.

Stasi @stasi.mai and a little promo video I shot during the recording of her track, Moon Rover, produced by @mccannaudio . I may have left my steadicam home that day. 🪇

Ayman (2023) ✊🏼🕊️🥊

General Dogon grew up in South Central LA. After serving time in prison, he began organizing with LA CAN in Skid Row. His firsthand experiences with systemic injustices, particularly those affecting unhoused individuals, motivated him to fight for the rights of Skid Row residents. His activism is deeply rooted in his personal history and the community he serves. A few years ago, I brought Dogon to meet my brother, Jimi, who lives off-grid in Slab City out in the Sonoran Desert. After my brother served time in prison, as well as spending some time unhoused, he found a sense of belonging in untraditional communities. Watching the two of them meet felt like watching two versions of the same person — some similar struggles, but also very different fights. It’s hard to explain, but Dogon has become like a second older brother. He’s been a friend, mentor and muse. He was the witness at my wedding, earlier this year. He’s a living legend in activist and organising spaces here in Los Angeles, and I’m grateful to call him a friend.

Martha Stoumen @marthastoumen shot on location in Sonoma County, California, for @oenopole . 🍷🍇

In 2024, the Skid Row Women’s Wellness Retreat hosted by The Los Angeles Community Action Network (LA CAN), offered therapeutic services like massage, yoga, reiki and sound baths, as well as wellness workshops to nurture mind, body and spirit. Over 200 women attended. This series features just a few of the brilliant, diverse women who make the Skid Row community so unique. Working in a small space, I set up a Photo Booth, providing guests with printed copies of their portraits. Special thanks to @schmidlibackdrops for providing the stunning backdrop and working with me to make it possible for a small non-profit to create beautiful images on a limited budget.

More portraits from Election Day 2024 in Skid Row — organisers, artists, veterans, voters from across the political spectrum, trans and queer folks, immigrants, housed and unhoused — living together within .4 miles of one another and showing up for their community to vote. We don’t all experience this country the same way. Some carry more risk, more history or have more at stake. We need to look after one another more than ever right now. Shot for the Los Angeles Community Action Network (LA CAN).

On Election Day last year, I spent time speaking with and photographing voters in Skid Row, as part of a project for the Los Angeles Community Action Network (LA CAN). I can’t think of a more representative and diverse cross-section of America — I met with MAGA enthusiasts and Trump supporters, fiscal conservatives, Democrats excited to vote for Harris, independents, third-party voters, including one Palestinian voter disappointed with Harris’ stance on Gaza, and others who bypassed national politics altogether to weigh in on local measures. A number of people said they were voting to honor their ancestors’ struggles, to represent those who can’t vote, or simply because they understood their voices mattered. Conversations between voters broke out into heated debate at times, but everyone shared a clear passion for political engagement and a desire to address poverty and houselessness in their community. At this moment in history, I’m hoping to remember that our country’s fabric is woven from our neighbors, friends and families. America is still worth fighting for, because *we* are worth fighting for. I want to thank everyone who shared their stories with me and who wanted to make their voices heard. #PortraitPhotography #StreetPortrait #Portraiture #DocumentaryPhotography #Canon #ShotOnCanon #Profoto #LAphotographer #VisualStorytelling #ElectionDay #SkidRow #DTLA #LACAN #PortraitsofAmerica #RepresentationMatters #EndHouselessness #SocialJustice

New work for @sonofthevelvetrat . Shot over winter in Yucca Valley just outside #joshuatree. #PortraitPhotography #EditorialPhotography #CanonPhotography #MotionBlurPhotography #AbtractPhotography

New work for @sonofthevelvetrat . Featuring Taco and Moose. Shot over winter in Yucca Valley just outside #joshuatree. #PortraitPhotography #EditorialPhotography #CanonPhotography #ProfotoLighting #Profoto