This Openly Gay Photographer Finds Beauty in the Struggling Artist

'To Live and Try in LA' Exhibit Finds Beauty in the Struggle of Being an Artist

Los Angeles: the city of broken dreams. For every actor or singer or model that's made it, there are hundreds more waiting, fighting, for their turn. LA might be the city where dreams come true, but so many never quite break through, and there's something tragically beautiful in that struggle.

Photographer Lloyd Pursall's latest exhibit in Venice, California showcases artists that have struggled to make their dreams come true in LA, including familiar names for many LGBTQ audiences, like Dear White People's DeRon Horton, R&B singer Sinead Harnett, and actress Nathalie Emmanuel.

PRIDE chatted with Pursall about his stunning portraits, celebrating the beautiful struggle of following your dreams, and his exhibit debut.

Photo: Dear White People's Deron Horton

PRIDE: Tell us about the project.

Pursall: Back for the second year, To Live and Try in LA continues its celebration of people. The unprecedented centralization of creators found in LA has allowed it to become known for its passion and drive. To Live and Try in LA is a part of my story and the stories of the people I have met since moving to Los Angeles. The collection shows how we can change the cultural sphere through collaboration, dreaming big and fighting our fears. 

Photo: Jessie Andrews

Tell us about the project.

With a new series of portraits, I am presenting a second wave of game-changers, the ones who put the ego behind and are moving forward with genuine hustle. The ones who rise by lifting others. The dreamers. The lovers. The hustlers. The go-getters. The future icons.

Photo: Sanam

What is the significance of the name of the exhibit?

To Live and Try in LA encompasses everything it means for a creative to live in Los Angeles. It represents the hours of hard work, the countless nights out networking, the never-ending sunny days regardless of your mood, the highs, the lows, and essentially the pure energy that this city has to offer in helping people achieve their dreams.

Photo: Maze Runner's Nathalie Emmanuel

Why did you select these particular artists to showcase?

Each of these creatives have inspired me with their stories. One of them I met in an Uber a few years ago. He was my driver, now he is living a successful career doing what he loves. To me, this is the beauty of Los Angeles. People come here with an idea, goals they want to reach, dreams they want to make a reality and through sharing their energy with the city via hard work and hustle they are rewarded with new opportunities. One of the biggest things that inspires me about the people in the show is their lack of ego and instead their richness in passion and love for the people around them. I feel more than ever we as creatives need to support and elevate the ideas of other creatives. I have always lived by the notion of rising with my peers and in doing so celebrating a shared success.

Photo: Model Mikey Kravitz

Why portraits?

Portraits are intimate. They capture what's on the inside. They deliver an intense energy when done right. They should make a person feel good about themselves, or they should challenge a person to see themselves in a new light. I'm a people person and portraiture is my way of communicating my views towards humanity, culture and the various social climates we live in. 

Photo: "If You Let Me" Singer Sinead Harnett

What story do you want your art to tell?

I want my art to connect. I feel a lot of artists are trying to change the world with one photo series or going so far stylistically they forget there is a real human in their work. For me, especially when photographing people, I just want you to step into their mind for that moment. I want you to feel their happiness, or their sadness, their vulnerability, their confidence. My work is about empathy. It should be tactile. If you look at some of the greatest photographers there is a reason their work is timeless. In one single moment, they have created an energy you can't ignore. I've never wanted to be an overnight success, I want to continue to learn and grow as a visual storyteller and build a long-lasting career that will create photographs that connect with people for decades to come.

Photo: they

Imparting thoughts?

Dreams are important to achieve any kind of success. Without dreams, you are literally just sleeping. 

Photo: Musician Shameik Alti Moore

See the 'To Live and Try in LA' exhibit.

The To Live and Try in LA pop-up debuts October 26 from 7-10pm at the Red Bull Consulate in Venice, California. And for more of his work, follow Lloyd Pursall on Instagram.

Photo: @nathalieemmanuel