Symbiotic Film – Twin Images

You are currently viewing Symbiotic Film – Twin Images

The Chavez Twins

are photographers based out of Los Angeles. They’re sisters, (twins, in fact), and artful collaborators. Despite still being in their 20’s, and having grown up on the west coast Mecca of digital, they are totally analog. Always have been, since Mom, a portrait photographer, passed along her arsenal of cameras. They use a Pentax Super, Canon Elan, Pentax 645, and Polaroid 450.

 

Pentax Super
© Amber and Ashlie Chavez

 

Canon Elan
© Amber and Ashlie Chavez

 

Symbiotic

While I wouldn’t equate their collaborations as a semi Mert and Marcus, they do play off each others strengths, but in a non structured manner. While they are very normal in their non photographic interplay, sisterly bickering and all, something magical happens when they start working together. Knowing each other as well as they do, they’re able to play off their talents almost as if they were one person. Where one of them lacks, the other excels. They have a true symbiotic relationship. They even both have a BFA in Studio Art and Creative Photography.

 

Canon Elan
© Amber and Ashlie Chavez

 

Pentax 645
© Amber and Ashlie Chavez

 

You’ve seen their work on album covers, Spin and Rolling Stone. When asked about their love of film, they simply state “digital is flat, film is real”. Not something they want to preach,…just their artistic opinions. All their images try to avoid any ‘shock value’. That’s one style decision they both seem to agree on. But Ashlie tends to be a bit more cerebral when approaching a job, and Amber a bit more adventurous. As a partnership, it’s this Yin and Yang of the sisters that seems to result in a flawless imaging machine.

 

Amber and Ashlie Chavez
© Amber and Ashlie Chavez

 

Amber and Ashlie Chavez
© Amber and Ashlie Chavez

 

Diane Arbus and More

They prefer shooting in natural light, with Amber usually directing, and both shooting and using various cameras on a shoot. But, it’s usually Amber who edits. Their favorite photographer lists are long, but include Diane Arbus, William Eggleston and Alec Soth. While they are really a unit, they both have separate websites. While they have been shooting for a few clients, doing print and online editorials, album covers for the Raveonettes and other musical groups, it is their goal to be able to exclusively work as full time photographers. If the work they’ve produced so far is any indication, they should achieve their goals in two shakes of a lambs tail.

 

Amber and Ashlie Chavez
© Amber and Ashlie Chavez

 

Check out the links to their sites below for more great ‘analog’ work.

 

Amber Website

Ashlie Website

Leave a Reply

The maximum upload file size: 1 MB. You can upload: image. Drop file here