We’re excited to introduce you to the always interesting and insightful Aubrey Guzman. We hope you’ll enjoy our conversation with Aubrey below.
Aubrey, looking forward to hearing all of your stories today. We’d love to hear about a project that you’ve worked on that’s meant a lot to you.
One of my most meaningful projects has been documenting Art Alley in downtown Rapid City, South Dakota. What began as a casual exploration of this unique cultural corridor between 6th and 7th Streets evolved into a deeper photographic study of how this space has become a vital canvas for community expression in the Black Hills region. The project took shape as I found myself drawn to the remarkable contrast between the historic brick buildings and the ever-changing street art. Art Alley isn’t just a random collection of graffiti – it’s a sanctioned creative space that has transformed a utilitarian downtown alley into a dynamic outdoor gallery. Messages like ‘Let your light shine’ and ‘Everything will be OK’ appear alongside intricate murals, reflecting both individual artistic expression and broader community values. What makes this project particularly meaningful is how it captures Art Alley’s role as a bridge between Rapid City’s historic character and its contemporary cultural identity. The weathered brick walls, fire escapes, and industrial elements speak to the city’s past, while the constantly evolving street art represents its vibrant present. Even small details, like the bookstore sign advertising ‘portable magic,’ highlight how this space has become a nexus of culture and creativity in the heart of Rapid City. The decision to shoot in both color and black and white allowed me to present different facets of the alley’s character. The color photographs capture the vivid energy of the artwork and the warm Dakota sunlight on the brick, while the black and white images emphasize the timeless architectural elements and textures that make this space unique. This project matters to me because it documents how a simple alley has become a powerful symbol of Rapid City’s creative spirit. Each photograph represents the intersection of the city’s historical backbone and its artistic future, showing how urban spaces can be transformed through community initiative and artistic expression. Through these images, I hope to show how Art Alley isn’t just a tourist attraction or Instagram backdrop but a living, breathing part of Rapid City’s cultural identity.
Aubrey, love having you share your insights with us. Before we ask you more questions, maybe you can take a moment to introduce yourself to our readers who might have missed our earlier conversations?
I’m a Texas-based photographer who finds beauty in unscripted moments and urban storytelling. My journey into photography has been deeply personal, sparked by a love of capturing authentic moments and nurtured by my husband’s unwavering support. He’s truly the man in the shadows – sometimes literally as he carries my gear or holds my coffee while I chase the perfect shot, but more importantly, as the constant presence encourages me to step into the light with my work. It was his belief in my vision that first encouraged me to start sharing my photography online, and his support gave me the confidence to take this leap of faith into professional photography. What sets my work apart is my approach to street photography and urban documentation. Rather than staging perfect scenes, I seek out those fleeting instances where light, texture, and human experience intersect. My recent work in Art Alley in Rapid City, South Dakota, exemplifies this approach – capturing how street art, historic architecture, and community spirit come together to tell a larger story about place and identity. I’m most proud of how my photography invites people to slow down and notice the extraordinary in the everyday. Whether I’m documenting the evolving canvas of a city alley or capturing the subtle interplay of light and shadow in urban spaces, my goal is to transform ordinary moments into compelling visual narratives. Each image is both a documentary piece and an invitation to see familiar spaces through fresh eyes. For my clients, I solve the challenge of connecting authentic storytelling with artistic vision. My work goes beyond just taking pictures – it’s about preserving moments and perspectives that might otherwise go unnoticed. Whether I’m shooting street scenes and urban landscapes or documenting community spaces, I bring a keen eye for detail and a passion for uncovering the subtle beauty in each location. What I want people to know about my work is that it’s rooted in genuine curiosity and connection. Every photograph I take is part of a larger conversation about how we experience and interact with our surroundings. Through my lens, I aim to show that beauty doesn’t always announce itself – sometimes, it’s hiding in plain sight, waiting for someone to notice and share it with others. This journey has taught me that photography isn’t just about technical skills – it’s about being present, being patient, and being willing to see the world from different angles. It’s about telling stories that resonate with people and helping them see their surroundings in a new light.
What’s the most rewarding aspect of being a creative in your experience?
The most rewarding aspect of being creative is the ability to share authentic stories that might otherwise go untold. Through street photography, I become both witness and narrator, capturing not just images but moments of truth in urban life. Each photograph has the potential to spark conversations and perspectives that extend far beyond the frame. What makes this especially meaningful is how photography and creative writing can work together to tell deeper, more nuanced stories. I’m drawn to a journalistic approach that combines visual documentation with narrative storytelling. When an image of a rain-slicked street or a sun-bleached wall can be paired with words that provide context and emotion, it creates a more complete and impactful story. There’s something powerful about using both visual and written mediums to document life as it unfolds. It’s not just about capturing beautiful moments – it’s about preserving the pulse of communities, the rhythm of city life, and the small but significant details that make up our shared experiences. Through this combination of photography and writing, I can invite viewers not just to see a scene but to understand its place in a larger narrative. This fusion of visual storytelling and creative journalism drives me to keep exploring, observing, and documenting. It’s about creating work that not only catches the eye but also engages the mind and touches the heart – work that makes people pause, think, and perhaps see their own world a little differently.
Do you think there is something that non-creatives might struggle to understand about your journey as a creative? Maybe you can shed some light?
I think one of the biggest things non-creatives might struggle to understand is that street photography isn’t just about walking around with a camera and taking random pictures. There’s an intense vulnerability in standing in public spaces, camera in hand, waiting for the right moment. It requires you to be both highly visible and almost invisible at the same time – present enough to capture authentic moments but unobtrusive enough not to disturb them. Another aspect that might be surprising is that some of my most meaningful images come from ‘failed’ attempts. I might spend hours walking and observing, taking dozens of photos, only to find one that truly captures what I was trying to express. But those hours of searching and ‘missing’ shots aren’t wasted time – they’re essential to developing your eye and understanding how to read a scene. Many people see the final photograph but don’t realize how much street photography is about patience and presence. It’s about learning to anticipate moments before they happen, understanding how light will shift throughout the day, and being ready when everything aligns. Sometimes, it means standing in one spot for an hour, waiting for the right combination of light and movement, or returning to the same location day after day until conditions are perfect. Perhaps most importantly, this work requires you to push past the fear of judgment or failure. Every time I raise my camera in a public space, there’s a moment of self-doubt. But learning to move through that discomfort has been crucial to growing as both a photographer and a storyteller. It’s about trusting your instincts and believing that the story you see is worth capturing, even if others might not understand your vision at that moment.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.breymariephotography.com/
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/keeping.the.focus/
Image Credits
Brey Marie Photography