CHAPTER 4 - SNEAKER CULTURE BEHIND THE LENS 🧵 11/17 Brands, collaborators and community. SD: You’ve photographed some highly anticipated collaborations and releases. When the shoe already carries a huge story and reputation, how do you add something new instead of simply documenting what people have already seen? JV: For me, it starts with what the shoe makes me feel. If a sneaker already has a story behind it, I don’t try to change that story. I look at it as an opportunity to add my own perspective. I want my photography to feel like an extension of the story. My interpretation of what the sneaker represents and the emotions it brings out in me. That way, I’m not just documenting what’s already been said; I’m adding another layer to it.

CHAPTER 4 - SNEAKER CULTURE BEHIND THE LENS 🧵 13/17 SD: Sneaker photography can be competitive, but you’re part of a community of photographers who regularly support and push each other. How important has that network been to your growth, and who are some creators you think deserve more recognition? JV: The network in this community has been really significant to me. I believe that when you surround yourself with creative people, it naturally pushes you to become more creative yourself. You’re constantly seeing new ideas, different perspectives, and different ways of approaching the same subject. One person I think deserves even more recognition is Craig, @craignoicecube. I’ve talked with him quite a few times, and I’ve always told him how much I admire his work and his creative eye. I really believe he has a lot of potential to become a major voice in our photography community, and I’m excited to see where his work takes him.

👟 LACED UP - EP. 14 Jay Vasquez 🧵 1/17 @opticrendition / IG: @opticalrendition A sneaker can be photographed. Or it can be made to feel like something. For this episode of Laced Up, we sit down with Jay Vasquez, the creative behind Optical Rendition. Jay’s work stands out because it doesn’t stop at showing the product. He’s increasingly focused on building images that carry mood, tension and emotion. Turning sneakers into part of a bigger visual story. His recent work around adidas, New Balance and major collaborative releases shows a photographer developing a very recognizable point of view.