Wyatt Conlon
“I am a documentary photographer with a conceptual photo background. I also freelance in illustration and digital advertising, mobile UI/UX and print graphic design. ”
Tell us why you are really good at your job. We know you’re humble, but we want to hear it.
Walking. I walk around the workspace and wander outside to help me take my mind off of the immediate solution, hopefully to discover a few new, more effective ones.
For other people in your field, what do they usually lack? Perhaps, you were in that position once, what did you do to get ahead? Stand out?
I would constantly ask questions and welcome critique. Continually strive to improve what you do. It’s always nice to learn how to do things better. Also, be curious, curious like a cat; that’s why they call me whiskers.
If you have multiple skills, which one do you wish you could do more often?
I wish I could slice my brain in two and grow another little me out of it. That other little me would be responsible for learning more about music production and classical piano. I studied for over 13 years, but haven’t kept it up. I really miss playing piano. Living in Downtown Los Angeles is amazing, but how am I going to move a baby grand into my apartment? Unless that new little me has a little piano. Then we are set.
A Keytar! Problem solved.
What are you working on right now?
An as-of-now-unnamed app that will make digital family communication and contact easier for the more analog generations. I also am finalizing photographs and prepping a gallery for my upcoming exhibition titled Otsumami. It will feature the work Jaybe Lee and I made during our most recent trip to Japan. New illustrated zines and photo books are always in process; it’s always satisfying to create smaller gems while working on the long-term projects.
We hear that! Not everything has to be this huge epic win. Baby wins are cool, too.
What is frustrating you right now?
Lack of time. Ultimately, this sources back to my time management, efficiency and need for sleep.
What are you putting off right now, but you know you have to get to, but you haven’t had the time?
I need to take the time to shoot more often. Also, I really need to learn how to program, just the basics! Designing apps is nice, but not very satisfying when the product ultimately doesn’t work. Graphic Design website needs some work too.
If you could hire someone for $20/hour, what would you have them do to make your day easier?
I would hire a Bread Lounge sandwich chef to teach me how they make their magical sandos.
What are all the tools (digital or physical) you use on a regular basis?
On me: Film (Portra 160-800, Ilford 3200 and Velvia 100), Hasselblad 503cw 80mm 2.8, Micron .05-.08 black pens, colored pencils (Korean-gradeschool-twist-ones with the colored-pencil-airplanes on the packaging are excellent), any sort of sketchbook, my planner.
In studio: InDesign, Illustrator, Photoshop, Logic Pro, Durst Enlarger, Imacon scanner.
If you could talk to an expert to gain more insight on something, what would it be about?
Haruki Murakami, maybe even just sit next to him. It would hopefully help me understand how to tell such interesting stories about the most mundane of things. Read IQ84.
Alec Soth, would be the visual counterpart to Haruki. He most recently came out with Songbook. Also check out From Here to There Alec Soth’s America.
What kind of projects are you looking for?
Documentary based photo work. I am always searching for local and international stories to shoot. I should try to be more specific with subject matter, but I never like to pidgeonhole myself. Also, I would love to start shooting videos; promo and documentary. I don’t have much experience, but I am eager to help out as much as I can and learn. Been very impressed by the content coming out of Vice recently.
Describe your ideal collaboration.
My as-of-now-unnamed app with Line, Uber, and local mobile shopping providers. Simple concept but long explanation, ask me about it!
Describe a client/job/partner you would rather not have.
People who make assumptions. Be specific and tell me what you want/think. “Oh, I thought you...”’s are the worst.
What is your hourly rate, retainer, or salary range?
I am always happy to work with the rate depending on the project and client budget.
Photography: $60/hr + cost of film and darkroom time. All other digital editing included.
Graphic Design: $40/hr (branding, logo, layout) to $50/hr (web and mobile UX/UI).
Illustration: I have no clue. Lunch money/illustration? Illustration has only been personal work so far. As long as the client is right, just take me to lunch, or ice cream.
How should someone approach you about working with you?
Email me at wynaoki@gmail.com - that will likely lead to a foodcentric meeting. If all is bueno, we got a project! I will always work with someone on a project they are passionate about.
This member profile was originally published on February 2015.