Alright – so today we’ve got the honor of introducing you to Arely Catalina Ruiz. We think you’ll enjoy our conversation, we’ve shared it below.

Hi Arely Catalina, thanks for joining us today. So, naming is such a challenge. How did you come up with the name of your brand?

Cat Scans. I started shooting film in the third grade when my father first gifted my brother and I each a Canon Sure Shot from the Marlboro catalog. I dove into a black hole of analog from there. I took classes in high school, learned pinhole, and darkroom skills. Later on as an adult I wanted to learn more and further dove into industrial film processing. I got a job at a film lab in Oakland. Shout out to Paul and the team over at Montclair 1 hour photo. Though I couldn’t afford those size machinery of my own I kept processing my film at home from the comfort of my kitchen. Developing is the easy part to it all, its the scanning that really took a toll. I bought an Epson V600 from an online colleague and caught myself spending hours scanning film. My middle name is Catalina, I go by Cat.. the endless hours of scanning later became part of my identity, thus Cat Scans was born.

Great, appreciate you sharing that with us. Before we ask you to share more of your insights, can you take a moment to introduce yourself and how you got to where you are today to our readers.

I was born at the Kaiser in East Hollywood, Sunset and Vermont, and raised in Koreatown. My father was an avid photographer whom knows the city of Los Angeles, like no one else I know. He captured my brother, mother, and I throughout the city as if we were the main characters of the land. His focus like mine, was portrait and street photography. Like him, every time I shoot, my subjects become the main characters of the land too. In my opinion what sets my work apart from most is that my passion is deeply rooted in the stories of my ancestors, my neighborhood, all of Los Angeles, and my entire life upbringing. It really does show throughout my imagery. I am a self taught film photographer whom has her own style and doesn’t intend on changing it. I think my art form is an extension of me and whomever comes along my way is always in alignment with my ethos. I’m really excited to see what other doors open along the way as I continue to stay true to myself.

Aside from photography I am also a restauranteur. I’ve been in the hospitality industry since I was 15. I proudly say that Mac Donalds was my door into the industry. I’m a natural leader and my work ethic, like my parents, is impeccable. At 16 I became a Staff Trainer, and ultimately always landed leadership roles in every other restaurant I landed in. I spent a large portion of my life in Wine Country, Northern California, where I was able to immerse myself in a great culinary scene. Before moving back to Los Angeles, last year, I was managing at Brewsters Beer Garden for almost 6+ years, where I was able to help shape the culture of the restaurant. Today I help run and operate Neighbors in Playa Vista and my only goal is to continue to grow in a community where POC are not really represented. We are brown and we’re making noise. It’s a great feeling.

You see my world is not just a two way street, it is bound by highways and intersections. I coparent in between Los Angeles and Wine Country. I am a mother above all. I bring work along with me, both for the restaurant and photography. I carry my cameras and laptop at all times because you never know what gig I may pick up or what vision I want to bring to life.

Is there mission driving your creative journey?

ABSOLUTELY. We all want to make it to the big leagues. I’ve put in a lot of time, and a lot of good work, that I know in due time will make the noise it deserves. I shot two album covers this year, and my goal is to have my work featured in Vogue and some that will be published in a book I can’t mention yet.I want to travel and pick up those large contract gigs. I know I have the talent, and I know my work can and will get there. This is just the beginning for that little girl in third grade who picked up the camera.

What’s the most rewarding aspect of being a creative in your experience?

The most rewarding aspect of being an artist is being able to hear people’s visions and being able to bring them to life. My approach has become second nature. I’ve experimented with film for so long that my encyclopedia of tones and grain are deeply engraved inside of me. Tell me what you want and I’ll give you exactly that. Being able to execute exactly what you’re being asked of is probably the most rewarding aspect of being an artist.

Contact Info:

• Website: www.catscansfilm.com
• Instagram: @CAT.SCANS_. @NEIGHBORS_PLAYAVISTA
• Twitter: ETHFILM

Image Credits
Portraits of me by: Dom Gray @domdomthebomb