JONATHAN CHERRY: What got you started with photography?

ERIK SANCHEZ: College. I started out as a business major but then took a photo class for fun. After that class I decided to add photography to my studies and haven’t stopped since.

JC: Any emerging artists inspiring you at the mo?

ES: The internet makes it easy to be inspired, its great. I’ll wander through the web for a few minutes and never fail to find great work from all over. But if you’re looking for specifics, Ryan McGinley is making some really great strides – oh and have been coming across a lot of Ryan Trecartin’s work too, pretty amazing stuff as well.

JC: Whats your current project all about?

ES: Lately, I’ve been mostly playing with the animated/video still portrait. I was recently commissioned to do a series of these types of portraits at the New Museum in NYC, of members of the thriving DIY music culture. A good chunk of my work the past couple years has revolved around experimenting with this technique, particularly with members of the music industry.

JC: Where are you currently living and how is it shaping you?

ES: I recently moved to Baltimore from Chicago a few months ago. The cities definitely have much different vibes. I’ve been exploring much of what Baltimore has to offer, and I’m learning so much about myself by being exposed to things I’ve never imagined. I worked on an ad campaign a few weeks ago, in which I had to do a series of portraits of select members of the Ball culture in Baltimore. I had no idea what Ball culture was until I was approached to work on this project. It’s essentially an underground LGBT subculture where members compete in various genres of drag. I had no idea there were actually genres of drag. I’ve met a lot of drag queens before, but not like these ones. Baltimore has been very enlightening and am growing and learning, constantly.

JC: One piece of advice to recent photography graduates?

ES: Know who you are as an artist. Never stop learning, never stop doing.

JC: Any big plans for 2012?

ES: Work a lot. Spend time with my boyfriend. Adopt a puppy.

JC: Favourite tree?

ES: Japanese Maple