Photos and Interview by Jorge Lara

Tamara Yaron (@tamara.y.photography) is a Las Vegas based photographer who is inspired by people, culture, art, travel, and food. In the past she has worked with a wide variety of clients from the fashion, food, cannabis, conventions., concerts, and social activism. She mentions that she has dedicated her life to capturing the truth and beauty through light. As an artist she is extremely passionate with every project she has worked on. I last ran into Tamara at the release party for Artist Vault Magazine (@artistvaultmag) and got to interview her recently for VIM Magazine (@vimmagazine)

VIM: Tamara, tell us a bit about your journey—how did photography find you, or did you find it?

TAMARA YARON: Ive been a photographer as long as I can remember. Ive been a photographer since High School. I was on the journalism team as well as the yearbook staff. If i’m going to be honest with you though the real reason and what got me interested in the art of photography was weed. I didn’t want to be a groupie and the only people in my high school who smoked were the skater boys so I started photographing them at the parks and kicking it with them so they would share their weed with me. Sounds silly now but that really opened up a whole new world of what photography can show me and the amazing people and worlds I got to really get to know on a personal level capturing them.

“Photography has opened so many worlds for me honestly. I wouldn’t be half the person I am without it. Without photography I wouldn’t have found my love for hip hop and everything that comes with that including dance and graffiti.”

— Tamara Yaron

VIM: You’ve worked across such a wide range of genres—from fashion and food to cannabis and activism. How has that versatility shaped your identity as a photographer?

TAMARA YARON: Photography has opened so many worlds for me honestly. I wouldn’t be half the person I am without it. Without photography I wouldn’t have found my love for hip hop and everything that comes with that including dance and graffiti. Photography showed me art and the people who create it. Photography showed me how much passion each individual has in each of their crafts no matter how different they are. Photography showed me culture and the beauty of how wonderfully different and the same we all are. I am just honored as a photographer I got to capture all of that.

VIM: What drew you to Las Vegas as your creative base, and how does the city influence your work?

TAMARA YARON: I moved here simply to just move closer to the West coast. I was born in Los Angeles but spent all my high school and college years in Iowa. When my sister moved to Vegas and I just recently finished with college and I thought it was a perfect opportunity to get out of the midwest which I was desperately ready for at the age of 22 haha.

VIM: Your work is deeply rooted in truth and beauty. How do you define those two concepts in your photography?

TAMARA YARON: Photography does a lot of things. It can be vain, informative, comforting. Its history being captured regardless of what the subject is. The idea of truth and photography do not necessarily go hand in hand but I do strive to find the truth within it . Photography can even make the ugliest of moments beautiful.

VIM: Do you have any specific cultural moments or travel experiences that shifted your artistic perspective?

TAMARA YARON: Everywhere I have traveled has changed me in a way. When I traveled and taught english to bedouins for a year that truly changed me forever, but more so in a way that i understood that i wasnt some fragile person, I can be adapatable as well as be a conduit to tell their stories. Working on the refugee camps in Greece though in Moria Refugee Camp, That was what showed me I am very shocked on how little not just our government feels about people.

Brushing people under a rug and generalizing serious issues tend to be easier. People dontreally care as much as they say they do unless they are on the ground.

“Everywhere I have traveled has changed me in a way. When I traveled and taught english to bedouins for a year that truly changed me forever, but more so in a way that i understood that i wasnt some fragile person, I can be adapatable as well as be a conduit to tell their stories. ”

— Tamara Yaron

VIM: How do you approach a new project—what's your process from vision to execution? You’ve worked with clients in both highly creative and commercial fields. How do you balance your artistic voice with a client’s vision?

TAMARA YARON: I think getting to know your client is the first and most important thing. I love working evert angle though I get really excited in shoots seeing where is there a better position or lighting for that specific person. I really enjoy just having fun on any set!

VIM: You seem to pour your heart into each project. What keeps you passionate after years in the industry?

TAMARA YARON: Capturing people where they are now. documenting a piece of history.

VIM: What do you hope people feel when they see your photos?

TAMARA YARON: I hope they feel more themselves. I hope they feel beautiful. I hope they feel seen.

VIM: What’s a dream project or subject you haven’t photographed yet but would love to?

TAMARA YARON: I don’t really feel like it’s me dreaming anymore for anything. Everything I have wanted to do and capture in my life has happened for the most part. I would love to work on bigger fashion projects. Maybe more editorial like shoots with a bigger team but more than anything I guess if you call it dreaming I would enjoy to keep meeting amazing artists to shoot with them, hearing amazing stories capturing beautiful moments and people.

VIM: Film or digital?

TAMARA YARON: Film and digital. They both serve different purposes for different occasions but I do love the romanticism of film and being in a dark room. I really miss it!!

VIM: Favorite time of day to shoot?

TAMARA YARON: I love any time of day honestly. Im not opposed to harsh sun but of course the generic answer would have to be that magic golden hour.

VIM: A place that always inspires you?

TAMARA YARON: Its not the place that inspires me but more the subject itself. Every shoot is different. That‘s what keeps it interesting.

VIM: One piece of advice you’d give to aspiring photographers?

TAMARA YARON: Do it no matter what all the time. Learn your own style, what sets you apart from everyone else.

Tamara Yaron

KINK By Artist Karla Lagunas