In LA Portraits, the internationally celebrated street photographer, Estevan Oriol, explores the vibrant gang culture pervading the City of Angels. The book follows its immensely popular predecessor, LA Woman in its ability to capture an authentic view of the people of Los Angeles. The collection comprises over one hundred iconic images sourced from Oriol’s fascinating and extensive archive that spans over 20 years. Every photograph is shot on film, presenting the viewer with a unique and insightful journey into LA’s gangland.

L’Oiel De La Photographie recognises this journey: “Of men with guns and sunglasses and masks, of makeshift memorials on the sidewalk where something terrible happened. Of colors, certain colors, and lots of plaid. Of bandanas, baseball caps, of lowriders cruising up along, dudes posted up, uniform of the streets.” Writing of Oriol’s work, Miss Rosen calls the photographic series “an unforgettable voyage to another time and place where your boys, just becoming men, visit tattoo parlors and begin to get their bodies inked.”

“They are not all monsters,” says Oriol, “you got cool guys, crazy guys, assholes. Most people are cool that’s why I hang out with them. It’s more a brotherhood, a family. Got the barbecue, low riding, hanging out, school days, guns, drugs, a little bit of everything.”