Written by Elliott Handloser


How to Find an LGBT+ Photographer in Los Angeles?

Chasing your creative dream in Los Angeles can be a challenge. Between headshots, social media content, podcasts, product shoots, etc. getting started on your hustle requires a level of investment in the presentation and quality of your content production. It’s tough to know where to start, and that can be further exacerbated for queer and trans folks. You want to ensure that whoever you book for services will treat you with the respect you deserve and work with you to realize your vision for the photoshoot.


Have no fear — YUQ Studios is here to recommend some of the best queer-friendly photographers in the Los Angeles area

Bohenne Arreaux (they/them)

Of course, we couldn’t recommend LGBTQ+ Los Angeles photographers without YUQ Studios’ very own Bohenne Arreaux. Bohenne began their photography journey as a nightlife photographer in the Los Angeles drag scene in 2019, and has spent the past six (6) years expanding their skills and equipment to include portrait photography, editorial photography, product photography and videography for content creators and film productions alike! Bohenne’s eye for detail and editing style help bring creative visions to life for everyone from world-renowned drag performers, to successful influencers and content creators, to business owners promoting their products. You can hire Bohenne for your next photoshoot right here!

Talon Reed Cooper (he/him)

Another fixture in the Los Angeles queer community, and photographer YUQ Studios loves is Talon Reed Cooper. Talon is an LA based photographer and filmmaker whose dynamic and striking visuals evoke bold colors, physicality and playfulness. Talon’s work tells full stories in single images, and his cinematic style has captured prominent queer figures like Meatball, A’Whora and Tayce, as well as events like New York Fashion Week and RuPaul’s DragCon. You can book Talon for your next event or photoshoot here.

Christine Wazkowski (she/her)

Christine Wazkowski is an incredible portrait photographer by day and a booked-and-busy nightlife photographer by night. On a typical week, you might see her at Revolver for Brat on a Thursday night, Fat Slut at Precinct on a Friday, Disheveled at Kiso on Saturday, and Faerialand with YUQ Studios on Sunday. She’s a staple of the queer nightlife scene, capturing dynamic drag performances and revelers at West Hollywood and DTLA’s hottest parties, and that’s just the half of it! Christine also captures gorgeous portraits and editorial photos, and has even shot a few at our DTLA studio — check them out below! You can see more of Christine’s work here, and can book with her via Instagram DMs.

Calla Faeria (they/she)

Filmmaker and YUQ Studios co-owner Calla Faeria is an multidisciplinary artist who is passionate about documenting and archiving LGBTQIA+ culture and history in Los Angeles. Their photography was recently featured in It’s Where I Belong: 40 Years and More of Drag in West Hollywood at the ONE Institute and Vestite, a queer zine and public-art project sponsored by the City of West Hollywood. Calla’s journey began with creating drag events and documenting their drag family and community, and her creative incorporation of analog and nontraditional techniques with futuristic and cutting-edge visuals yields one-of-a-kind results. You can book Calla for your actor’s headshots, photo and video services for events, or editorial photography in Los Angeles here.

Davide Laffe (he/him)

Davide Laffe is well-known in the Los Angeles queer scene for his innovative and creative photography, particularly his editing style. His portrait photography captures a drag look, but his editing elucidates a conceptual harmony that clearly communicates the vision of both artist and photographer. Davide’s thoughtful photography of gender-diverse models and his ability to put the subject at ease has paid off — he works with RuPaul’s Drag Race queens like Mo Heart, Widow Von Du, Alyssa Hunter and Scarlet Envy, to name a few, and creates cohesive and evocative images for his clients. We loved his recent series #NUDE, where, in his words, he wanted to “blur the lines between nude, naked and vulnerability,” with the images serving as “reflection of raw expression, honesty and connection.” You can book Davide for nightlife or portrait photography in Los Angeles here.