We recently connected with Dov Viramontes and have shared our conversation below.
Dov, thanks for joining us, excited to have you contributing your stories and insights. Can you walk us through some of the key steps that allowed you move beyond an idea and actually launch?
It all started in early 2015 when you could only share photographs on Instagram. I was running a successful event photography business at that time, and I was very inspired by other photographer’s work on Instagram. As inspirational as it was, I wasn’t talking to these photographers, let alone connecting with them in real life. That bothered me, and I wanted to figure out a way to connect with as many photographers at once. Coincidently, I was following a lot of Los Angeles (Where I’m from) based photographers. That’s when an idea popped in my mind. Why not leverage Instagram’s millions of users and host a photography event for L.A. photographers and models?
That’s when Street Meet L.A.™ was born. I had told my best friend who’s also a professional photographer about this idea. He liked it and we began scouting outdoor locations he had suggested where a large group of photographers can gather, network and have the opportunity to photograph models.
I created a new Instagram account, and posted a flyer telling L.A. photographers and models to meet me at a specific address in L.A.’s Art’s District. I was actually pretty nervous and had my doubts anyone would show up. I thought either nobody would show up, or just a few photographers and no models would show up. To my surprise, over 90 photographers and a dozen models showed up! I was stoked to say the least!
I had pre planned a short, easy walkable route where we stoped at specific locations to network and photograph models for 20 to 30 minutes. Then walk to another nearby location and do the same thing. I was actually meeting photographers I had been following on Instagram for a long time. Other photographers were now meeeting other photographers and models.
My idea worked!
It worked so much so, that strong friendships were being formed which eventually lead into committed relationships and even one marriage that I know of. I had created an incredible community of like minded people.
I kept doing these photography meets month after month at various locations through Los Angeles. At the time, the Instagram algorithm was simple which made it easy to go viral. I kept posting flyers for upcoming photography meets, and my photo meets keep growing and growing. MY meets were averaging anywhere from 400-600 photographers and dozens of models.
Eventually other photographers who got inspired started hosting their own meets and from time to time we’d come together and host what we called a, “Mega Meet” and over a thousand photographers and models showed up!
There was a photographer (Owen Korb) who was also a film maker. He had the brilliant idea to document bits and pieces of my meets along with other meets, interview the hosts and models and turn it into a full length documentary called, Pull Up L.A.. He submitted it into film festivals where it won awards and eventually Amazon Prime Video picked it up in 2019.
Around the same time, Sony Camera got word of my photo meets and I got involved in their events with my photo community. They hosted some incredible events where master photographers who were Sony Artisans taught photo classes. That’s when I joined forces with master photographer, Scott Robert Lim and we hosted photography workshops together. He began teaching my community his 20+ years of photography experience. For the first time ever, photographers were now learning and advancing with their photography skills and careers.
It’s been an incredible journey up until this point. I never thought that my idea back in 2015 would lead to this. I have now met thousands upon thousands of photographers from all over the world and have created a pretty special community. I feel like this is just the beginning. I have a lot planned this year and beyond!
As always, we appreciate you sharing your insights and we’ve got a few more questions for you, but before we get to all of that can you take a minute to introduce yourself and give our readers some of your back background and context?
My name is Dov Viramontes. I’m a professional photographer based in Los Angeles. I started Street Meet L.A. in 2015. Street Meet L.A. is a community of photographers. Events are held throughout Southern California. We also host educational photography workshops which provides an opportunity for photographers to learn and excel when it comes to their photography skills.
Is there mission driving your creative journey?
Street Meet L.A.™ was born out of a desire to bridge the gap between virtual inspiration and real-life connections in the world of photography. In 2015, amidst the thriving Instagram photography community, I felt a void – a lack of genuine interaction among photographers in Los Angeles. Determined to foster connections, I conceived the idea of utilizing Instagram’s vast user base to organize a photography event that would bring together the vibrant talent of L.A.
The mission was clear: create a platform for photographers and models to meet, network, and collaborate in the dynamic streets of Los Angeles. Starting with a modest gathering in the Art’s District, the response exceeded expectations, with over 90 photographers and a dozen models attending. The concept of a structured route, facilitating networking and model photography, proved successful, leading to the formation of lasting friendships and even relationships within the community.
As the concept gained momentum, Street Meet L.A.™ evolved into a global phenomenon, attracting hundreds of participants to each event. The success caught the attention of filmmaker Owen Korb, who turned the story into the award-winning documentary, Pull Up L.A., reaching audiences on Amazon Prime Video in 2019.
The journey didn’t stop there. Partnering with Sony Camera and renowned photographer Scott Robert Lim, the community expanded into educational realms. Photography workshops, hosted by industry experts, empowered enthusiasts to advance their skills and careers. From humble beginnings to a global community, Street Meet L.A.™ is not just an event; it’s a catalyst for friendships, relationships, and learning, proving that the power of a single idea can transcend expectations. With a promising future ahead, this creative journey is far from its conclusion – it’s a testament to the enduring impact of connecting through the lens of shared passion.
Any insights you can share with us about how you built up your social media presence?
Building Street Meet L.A.™’s social media presence was a gradual yet intentional process. In the early stages, I leveraged Instagram’s simplicity and user base, creating a dedicated account to share the vision of our photography meets. I strategically posted engaging flyers for upcoming events, capturing the essence of the community we were building. The consistent use of hashtags and location tags helped us reach a wider audience within the Los Angeles photography scene.
The key to our success was the authenticity of our content – showcasing real moments from the events, behind-the-scenes glimpses, and the growing camaraderie within the community. The visual storytelling aspect resonated with our audience, fostering a sense of belonging. As the Instagram algorithm at the time favored simplicity, our posts gained traction, going viral and attracting an ever-expanding audience.
For those starting to build a social media presence, my advice is to stay authentic. Share your passion genuinely, engage with your audience, and leverage the unique features of each platform. Consistency and community interaction are vital – build a narrative that connects with your audience on a personal level, turning followers into active participants in your journey.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://streetmeetla.com/
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/streetmeetla
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/streetmeetla
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@streetmeetl.a.7929