I had the pleasure of interviewing Gray Malin, a L.A. photographer most recently known for his Prada Marfa series (as seen in my home, above!). I was so pleased to discover that not only is he really sweet and super talented, but he thinks beyond his shot — how his photographs will be used, and making sure that in his mind, they fit their final destinations…i.e. OUR homes. How great is that?
And I totally lucked out with the timing, because his work is on One King’s Lane today! Starting at 8am, get pieces from his latest collection, A La Plage, A La Pistine, for a steal!
* * *
Hi Gray, tell us, did you always know you’d be a photographer? You’re such a natural.
I discovered photography in high school and really excelled at it from the beginning, however I never really thought a future in photography would be possible. During college in Boston I got hooked into the film world which eventually led me to Los Angeles for my first job working as the assistant to the President of Paramount Vantage. It only took my one short year in the corporate world to realize I had to give my one passion of photography a chance before committing to another career path that would never quite fulfill me. And sure enough, with a lot of dedication and hard work a have been able to find my path into this unbelievable field.
How would you describe your personal style, and do you think this influences/informs your work?
I would describe my personal style as ‘decor-esque’. When I formulate a body of work I always aim to produce images that will look fabulous inside the home.
A Timeless Pursuit: Paris
How would your friends and family describe your personality?
Without sounding like a narcissist, I think my friends and family would describe my personality as charming and outgoing.
What’s the biggest compliment you’ve received about your work?
Someone recently told me my new series (A La Plage, A La Pistine) was ‘iconic’ and even though it was just one client’s opinion, it really made me blush!
Bondi Beach
What’s been the favorite photograph of yours thus far? Why?
When I flew to Sydney a few weeks ago to do the aerial photo shoot I had this one image in mind of all the people on Bondi Beach laying out on the sand and sure enough, I was able to bring that exact image to life. I would say at the moment it’s one of my favorite images to date!
Any stylistic directions/trends you’re itching to tackle?
Absolutely! I would love to work one day with stylists, assitants, and a lighting team to do a highly staged series inside a studio. I have a series I shot using banana peels called ‘Appeeling Moments’ back when I first started my career and I would love to re-do it with a higher budget and production team one day!
Prada Marfa
Any celebrities, designers or photographers (living or dead) that you feel akin to, are inspired by, aspire to be like? (Come on, we all have one or two.)
In terms of photographers, I once did an internship for David Lachapelle and was greatly influenced by his whimsical sets and over-the-top staged shoots. In terms of artists, I am obsessed with all of Dan Flavin’s light installations! I actually am currently working on a series called Fluorescent Form which is greatly inspired by his work.
If you could live anywhere, where would that be? (Let’s say you have a private jet to make sure you can easily get to your shoot locations.)
This is a tough one but I think if I could live anywhere it would be right here in Los Angeles! I love New York but am so happy to have it as my ‘escape’ – to me, it’s the best city on earth to visit.
A Timeless Pursuit: New York
Any exciting news/developments you can share with us today?
My new series A la Plage, A la Piscine goes on sale tomorrow morning at 8am on One King’s Lane – grab a print at a discount while you can!
Rio de Janeiro
Kauai
Miami Beach
Brazil Blue Water Beach
Miami Edgy Hotel
Bronte Baths
Miami Beach
Coogee Beach
Don’t mind me, I’ll be dreaming about these destinations all day! Be sure to check out his One King’s Lane sale at 8am PDT to get your hands on one of these beauties.
For a little background on his inspiration and process for this series, watch:
Many thanks to Gray for taking the time to share all of this with us! Be sure to follow along on his blog! And do check out his website for a ton more — I can’t do his body of work justice in this short post.
Handsome and talented! Whats not to like?
His work is amazing. I love the Paris shot, the angle/direction is really intriguing; it sucks you right in.
So very cool that you got to interview him! I love that Bondi Beach shot so much… Logging on to OKL as sooooon as possible this am :)
I am from Sydney now living in the States, and these images make me homesick! I will certainly be checking out his sale! Cheers Erika on a great interview of this young talent (and for the timing)!
Wow – his work is completely insane/amazing!!
I love his work, his name, his attitude. What a great interview and sale – headed over to OKL right now…
xoxo -e (modern24seven)
You’re so lucky to have interviewed him! I think his work is amazing, and he’s so handsome :) Love the Rio de Janeiro and Coogee Beach shots!!!
His work is amazing. I love the Prada Marfa series and now the A La Plage… So cool to know that he is so young and there is so much more that we’ll see from in his career~ very exciting!
Ahhh, Erika, this is seriously the coolest! I mean, what talent, right? He is crazy good. And charming to boot?? Cheers to him for pursuing his dream!
Amazing work!!!!!
I’m a huge fan! I especially love the Timeless Pursuits and the beach shots always take me right there. He’s so incredibly talented. What a great interview and such perfect timing. :) xoxo
heading to OKL….thanks for the insight!
Wow, his photos are amazing! The overview beach photos are unlike anything I’ve ever seen, they almost look like paintings.
Thank you for the introduction, Erika! I will def have to check out his work on OKL. Loving the shots of Paris.
Wow. Love his work! And I’m a huge fan of Prada Marfa and Dan Flavin.
-Tara
http://madmaxandfamily.blogspot.com
Oh, wow!!! What an amazingly talented artist…and such a great interview! I am so enamored with his work…the A la Plage, A la Piscine works are so, so great! And the polka dots & eiffel tower shot makes me smile :) Thank you for the introduction! XO brynn
How awesome!!!! Love that you got to interview him and thanks for sharing. He seems like someone I’d like to grab a drink with if he would have one with me!! I heart his bondi print, ohh why am i so late to kings lane?!? xoxo
wow!! Loved the Miami photographs the most! Great to know about him! thanks!
He interned with David Lachapelle?!!!!!!!!!! OMG that would be my dream come true. I just asked Siri to remind me to buy one of his prints tomorrow morning at 8:00 AM.
WOW!! I really love his work!
Thanks for the introduction and great interview!
going to get one of these beach shots…hard to decide!
love them!
LOVED this interview. Great job!