W. B. Fontenot

"Most of my work involves some kind of surreal setting where characters can exist in an environment that is befitting to them. I am attracted to motion and inspired by film and music so I like the idea of creating pieces that look as if they are just a frame taken out of a reel. My work comes from dreams and visions so the sets are important in retelling those stories. The environment I build is just as important as finding the right model. I love our new space because I can live with the set I am building and work out every little detail before I shoot on it. This way, I can tinker with it until I get every detail exactly the way I see it in my mind. It's all about the story that is active within the frame. Living with the sets allows me a deeper connection to those stories I am telling."

Fontenot studied architectural photography while in Florence, which became the subject for his early art exhibitions. While working at the Museum of American Culture he was responsible for making over 600 photographic prints for the museum, including a 1920’s collection that was shot on glass negatives. He has participated in gallery shows throughout the Northwestern United States as well as here in Los Angeles. His images have been printed in numerous magazines, including Playboy, where he currently works.