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RAW Magazine is an online publication written by young people for young people. As a young person, you’re bound; you have limits, whether it be school, family, or simply the claim that you’re “too young.” It’s our goal to not only seek out greatness, but to inspire our fellow youth to dig through the surface of anything & everything and expose the deeper layers of life. We seek further knowledge and insight into who today’s hottest brands, bands, and people of influence are because there’s always more than meets the eye. Let’s not settle for something of face value. Join us in experiencing life in its pure, genuine, and raw form.
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contributing Team Members Founder Annie Jacobs
publicist Flannery Cusick
head of writers Andrew Black
writers Kathleen Parrish Isobel Riches Rachel Sandene Annie Jacobs Photographers Natalie Guardado Hanna Walters Annie Jacobs Andrew Black Head of design Ollie Ritchie designers Armando Rodriguez Jack Hjerpe
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“What are you going to do with your life?” This is the question I am asked almost daily now that I’m a senior in high school. I want to be a photographer. Photography is my passion and I want to live a life of joy. I want to spread love and joy, and I want to make a difference. I decided to start this magazine on the Sunday before Christmas of 2014. The idea had been lingering with me, but in an instant I decided to make it a reality. Nearly every member of our team was already a friend of mine, and might I say that I am blessed to be surrounded with such talented and lovely people. Through this magazine, it is my goal to provide experience for young, aspiring artists and writers while also making a difference through our work. I believe we can do great things. My hope is that we can all get together and use our talents for good. In this first issue we are going to show the reader ambition; you will read all about ambitious people, and hopefully it will inspire you to be spontaneous and do something ambitious. I hope you have a lovely day and I thank you so much for reading our magazine!
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14 Tessa Viamonte 6
08 Savannah Avril
28 Disidual
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Brook Fraser
22 Enter utopia
32 vitaly kibenko
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brooke fraser Pictures by: Andrew Black
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Introducing: Little Miss Northwest
TESSA Viamonte Written by: Isobel Riches Pictures by: Annie Jacobs
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@LITTLEMISSNORTHWEST “You can try to recreate a picture but that exact moment can never be recreated”
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Situated in the Pacific Northwest, Tessa Viamonte is an 18 year old photographer. Despite her young age, Tessa has a following of more than 300,000 on Instagram, where she shares her beautiful pictures of landscapes, nature, portraits, and her (very cute) cat. Tessa also has her own photography business, and she spends her time capturing moments and creating photos for others to cherish. I was lucky enough to catch up with Tessa and we talked Instagram, family, and where it all began... Tell me a little bit about yourself! My name is Tessa, I live in the Seattle area of Washington state, I’m 18 years old, and I am in college now. I’ve been going to classes, I’m taking photography classes, and I’m really enjoying that! How did you start photography? It’s kind of silly, to be honest! When I was in 9th grade, I think, I first got an iPhone. And at the time no one really knew what Instagram was. It was just like this new app that had just kind of popped up under photography apps, so I downloaded it. When I looked at it there were a lot of photographers on there and so from there, I started taking pictures with my phone and pretending I was a photographer! But then I realised I was really enjoying this and so I decided to get a little point and shoot camera and I was taking pictures with that for a while. Then I talked to my grandpa and he helped me get my first real SLR camera (he’s a photographer too). So I went to him, and he was able to explain what I needed to know about photography and cameras and stuff. So it all really started with Instagram. I don’t know how many years ago -- 3 or 4 years ago? -- and from there I kind of expanded... a lot. It happened so quickly. I never went out of my way to get all these followers and post all these pictures, it just sort of happened! On your lovely website you mention that your Grandfather was the one who nurtured your passion for photography. What’s
the
most
important
thing
he
has
taught
you?
Well, I know that when looking through all his pictures, just seeing all the different things that he is able to capture, I was really able to learn how to capture those types of moments. He has taken pictures of my family and me and my sisters and my cousins since we were little and as we grew up. He helped me get my first camera, and for graduation, he gave me his camera! Ever since he found out that I have gotten into photography, for Christmases and birthdays, he always gives me different photography books.
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With that being said, it’s safe to assume that you were creatively encouraged as a child. What are some other ways this encouragement provoked your passion for photography? My father is a musician, and so ever since I was little, he was always playing music. Me and my little sisters would sing along and he would write music about us. He always wanted us to become musicians too, and I tried! I played in the orchestra in elementary school and I really liked the creativity-ness of it all, but I just didn’t really think that was for me. I also liked to draw and paint and all that sort of stuff. And my dad paints too! He would paint alongside me. Then when I got Instagram and I was taking pictures, I really realised that that’s what I wanted and my dad is really happy that I was able to find my passion. It makes him happy as an artist too that I am following in his footsteps, but kind of in a different form. Why photography? What’s the biggest aspect you like about photography? I really like how you are able to capture moments – you can try to recreate a picture but that exact moment can never be recreated, and I think that that is so cool. Also, now that there is Photoshop for digital
would be so cool to work with different models and clothes because
photography, it’s almost like you can paint on your image; you can
they know what they’re doing and you know what you’re doing
create it exactly how you want it to be and I think that that is really cool.
and you guys can just work together to create beautiful pictures.
What are your goals for the future, both photography wise and
What would you say is the biggest challenge you face as a
personally?
photographer?
Personally, there is a goal that I have been working on. I’ve
Along with being shy when it comes to working with people, I
always been a very shy person and I have found it very difficult
feel like sometimes I will have an idea for a photo shoot, but I
in photography settings or even in school to really get across my
am too nervous to really find someone to do it with me, which
idea. I want to say things without feeling like people are going
holds me back a little bit. Also, just getting out there and
to judge me or think I am silly for saying what I will. I feel like
actually doing it. I just started driving, so it’s actually going to
ever since I’ve started photography, going on shoots, and taking
be a bit easier for me now. It may be easy to get an idea down,
pictures of people (clients like families or high school seniors),
but then going out and translating the idea into real life by
I am getting a lot more comfortable with being able to speak to
getting all the people you might need to help you out with it
people and that wasn’t something I was ever very comfortable with.
and getting to the location is a lot more difficult than anything.
I still get pretty shy but it’s definitely something I can see myself getting better at, which is really cool and I hope to further that.
What motivates and inspires you?
For photography, I hope to continue taking portraits of seniors and
My family definitely. They really motivate me and inspire me, each
families and all those sort of things, but I have also seen people
and every one of them. My dad with his music -- he’s always talking
who take pictures for lookbooks and in magazines. I think that that
about how happy he is that I’ve found my passion and he wants me
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to continue doing that. Then I see my little sister -- she does dance
What is it like living in the northwest? It looks so beautiful in
and she’s always dancing, every single day. Seeing everyone else in
your photos!
my family, my mom and my older sister too, being happy doing
It is very beautiful! It’s wet; it’s raining quite a lot, but it’s really
what they’re doing just makes me happy. My friends too, even my
peaceful, too. And the people here are really nice. Especially where
followers, just seeing all their kind words, whenever they really like
I live, I’m right outside of Seattle so I can go twenty minutes one
pictures or give me comments. It really makes me want to go out there
way and I will be in the city (a wonderful city. I love it there!).
and do more and make pictures that everyone will be happy with.
Then I can go twenty minutes in the other direction and I will be in the woods and lakes. It’s really nice that there is so much
What is your favourite thing to photograph and why?
variety. In the summer, if I keep driving for another couple of
I really like landscapes. But I’d say probably my favorite, which
hours one way, suddenly I’m in farm land. I like it. It’s a really
is also sort of a recent favorite that I’ve realised, is just taking the
nice place to live, and I don’t see myself leaving anytime soon.
portraits that I do of people (a lot of portraits I shoot are for senior portrait sessions). I see them being really happy with the outcome
Where in the northwest do you feel most at home?
and hearing back from families about how they really like the
Well I really like being at home! (Haha!) Really, though. This is going
pictures that I took of them. I am creating this image, this picture
to sound cheesy, but anywhere with people who I really care about.
from this point in time that they will have forever. I love the idea that
My boyfriend -- if I’m just spending time with him, then that’s where I
I am capturing their child or their family, and they can cherish that!
want to be. Or if I am with my sisters or my family. That’s the best place.
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Are there any significant moments in your life which you feel have changed you? I really started feeling a lot more passionate about photography after this one experience I had. I took pictures one time of a kid whose mother is actually my 3rd grade teacher’s sister. His mom had me take pictures of him and he really didn’t want to take pictures at all. Apparently he was complaining the whole car ride there, he had his girlfriend with him, and he was just nervous and shy. He just didn’t want to do it. After all was said and done and I took the pictures, they turned out really good – he was a cute kid! Later on, I heard from his mom about how much the pictures really meant to her. She told me about how she was crying and they almost brought tears to my teacher’s eyes too! At that moment I was really able to see how big of an impact and how much these pictures can mean to the people and their families. Aside from your Grandfather, which people in your life have impacted you most? Definitely a lot of my friends -- those who I have met through Instagram, and my photographer friends who I have been able to meet. A lot of them have taught me things that I didn’t really know; Is your cup half full or half empty?
things about editing or about taking pictures. One of my friends
Half full. Definitely half full. I feel like with photographers With
it’s
anyone,
good actually.
to
look Why
at
all
wouldn’t
the you
positives. want
to?
actually taught me things like what the ISO was or the aperture and what it did, right when I was first starting out. I like people like that, who are already really into it and already know everything. It enables them to share a lot with people who don’t know as much.
What are you thankful for at the minute? I am very thankful for my family; they’re the ones who push me
What’s one thing you wish you knew when you started photog-
to continue taking pictures. My mom has actually worked a lot
raphy?
with me. She’s really been the one who helped me put together my website…sometimes I call her my “momager,” because she’s like my manager and my mom! She will let me know when I get new emails about photo shoots and sometimes she will ask me if I want her to respond to them for me (If I’m busy or in class, sometimes I will have her do that!!) She’s the one who is like, “Tessa, you have to go out and take more pictures so you can update your page!!!” She really pushes me, but not in a bad way. I’ve always kind of been a lazy person when it comes to getting stuff done and so it’s useful having my mom who’s constantly there telling me, “You’ve got to do this!”
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It’s a lot of work. It’s a lot more than just going out with your camera and taking a picture. There is a lot of thought that goes into everything; making sure you are getting the right angles and the right light and composition, etc. I just didn’t realize how big it was (not that it’s too much). I love taking pictures and working with images, but once I really sat down and was like, ”Right, I have to do this. I have to make sure I’ve got this and make sure that that person is looking the right way.” It takes a lot of work, and a lot of patience, too. I’ll go on a photo shoot that might only be for 45 minutes and I’ll be taking pictures of a family or something, and afterwards, I feel like my
brain has turned to mush! At the end of a photo shoot I will be ready to go home. I can’t even think straight because I was thinking about so much and taking pictures for the last 45 minutes. With every picture, there’s so much thought that goes into it. Picture after picture, you eventually feel worn out. Describe your photography in 3 words. Expressive, Colourful, Unique -- I really like colour, that’s something I love. I feel like everyone’s photography is unique to them.
Tessaviamontephotography.com
Are there any words of advice you would give to young artists who hope to pursue a creative career? Be confident in your work!! You really have to be confident. You are your biggest critic, and you will always see something you don’t like. But you can still be confident in that work if you’re feeling
@littlemissnorthwest
what you are doing. If you think that other people won’t like it, then soon you won’t be as invested in what you’re doing. Just don’t worry about other people. Do what you love and everything will be perfect.
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SAVANNAH AVRIL PHOTOGRAPHER & JEWELER EXTRAORDINAIRE
Savannah Avril has always been drawn to the artistic expression of crafting intricacies & capturing inspiring images. Taking photos as long as she can remember, her love and understanding of photography is apparent in her images. In recent years, she’s turned her creativity towards crafting handmade jewelry for her line “Dream Catchers and Jewelry by Savannah Avril.” The line focuses on beauty and simplicity, providing gorgeous pieces for all occasions. I spoke with Savannah about balancing school and her passions, and what she defines creation as. Written by:Kathleen Parrish
Pictures by:Savannah Avril & Hanna Walters
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Has
photography
always
been
an
interest of yours, or is it a newer passion? I’ve loved taking photos for as long as I can remember! I used to just photograph things like my pets and flowers, using a horrible quality point and shoot camera. Needless to say, I’ve definitely improved since then and I now use a Nikon D5200. I’ve moved on to photograph mostly people and landscapes, among other things. What is the most rewarding aspect of taking photos for you? In my opinion, the best part about taking photos is definitely all the moments you can capture. I love being able to look back and vividly remember all the memories that are held within the photographs. I also enjoy being able to see how much I’ve improved from when I first started photography. There’s not many things that you can look back on and actually see your progress, and how you’ve developed in creativity and style over the years. What does creating mean to you? In anything you do, creating is a form of expression that reflects yourself.
I
think that my photography style reflects my personality, as does my jewelry. The profits from your jewelry line go towards funding your education. What are you studying? Yes, a lot of the profit I make from selling my dream catchers and jewelry go
towards
my
education.
I
am
currently in the engineering program, looking to become a mechanical or biomedical
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engineer
in
the
future!
Running a business and engaging in creative hobbies while in school can be time consuming. What advice do you have to other students considering beginning their own business? I am always incredibly busy. I wake up at 5:30AM to make time for the gym, and then head to school where I am for the next 9-11 hours (not including homework and studying for tests on top of that). Then I have to keep up with the orders from my shop, which can take a lot of time but is actually really fun. If other students want to start their own business, I’d suggest making it something they enjoy doing. I think of my shop as a hobby that I get paid for! No matter how busy you are, you can always find time for hobbies, trust me.
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@emberwolves
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@chasing.oblivion
www.etsy.com/shop/savannahavril
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ENTER UTOPIA Inside the Mind of a Young, Chic Entrepreneur Written by:Andrew Black
Pictures by:Natalie Guardado
Founder & owner, Ashley Cruces, incorporates
had no idea about the future impact of. Enter
nothing but “optimism, confidence, and overall good
Utopia officially launched in January of 2013.
vibes” into her online clothing shop. Based out of Davenport, Florida, Enter Utopia draws much
With her inspiration established & role models
influence from the sunshine state with the hip,
(such as Sophia Amoruso of Nasty Gal and
summery feel put into each piece’s appearance.
Gabrielle Chanel) in place, Ms.Cruces has high hopes and aspirations for this company. In just
Although it is her passion now, Cruces reports that
a matter of five years, she’s setting her sights on
she never had any dreams or desires from a young
owning a store in New York City. “I think it’d be
age to create her own company. “I don’t think it
cool to display the screen-printing process as well,”
ever even crossed my mind,” she states. “Having my
she says. “It’ll be awesome – a visually pleasing
own business was never something that was on my
space, great quality clothing, & an overall great
radar, it just sort of happened. And now it’s my pride
atmosphere. Keep an eye out for it!” While taking
and joy!” She drew much of her initial inspiration
this step might be a big move for the shop,
for the store by watching YouTube videos on how
nothing is impossible. However, expanding the
to screen print clothing. After hours of investment
store on a physical scale is not the only thing
that was put into watching these tutorials & a bit
that’s on our young creator’s mind. “It would
of pocket change, Ashley finally decided to give
be amazing to have other entrepreneurs look up
screen printing a whirl. “I have always been a
to the store & what it’s accomplished. Inspiring
creative person in numerous outlets – photography,
others to start a brand of their own would bring
painting, drawing, fashion, you name it. When I
me never-ending smiles, hands down.” From
got the hang of the screen-printing process, I decided
simply having a heart and motivation like Ashley
to combine all of these hobbies.” That’s when her
Cruces’, moving forward in success is all that
unseen passion became more than just an idea,
is predicted in the forecast for Enter Utopia.
but the first step into creating something she
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What sparks true inspiration is genuinity, and that
can make is comparing yourself to others (especially
is the one thing that is most apparent when speaking
well established brands), and trying to conform. I’m
with Ms.Cruces. Throughout our interview with
definitely guilty of making this mistake. There’s a
her, Ashley gave more than enough of an example
reason why certain brands have become successful &
of that genuine desire to pursue greatness when
people aren’t going to want a copy of it. Brands grow
explaining her work to us. And lastly, as we had
at different rates; just because one brand gains tons
come to a close in our interview, she touched basis
of recognition in a couple months doesn’t mean that
on not only the seed of inspiration that other young
yours will. Don’t pay attention to that & work at
people looking into starting a business are in dire
your own pace! If it’s something you love doing, then
need of, but the mindset necessary to keep it going.
success will come to you as you work hard towards it.”
“Trust your own instincts. The biggest mistake you
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www.enterutopia.storenvy.com
@enter_utopia
@enter_utopia www.facebook.com/esnterutopiashop
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DISIDUAL CLOTHING:
Written by: Rachel Sandene Pictures by: Andrew Black
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BECOMING A DISTINCT INDIVIDUAL Brendan Pape, one of the founders of Disidual Clothing, told
The concept of a “distinct individual” who follows a self-paved
us in an interview that “as a little child, I always dreamed of
path is, of course, a central part of whom Disidual is market-
having my clothing brand, but I never thought it was possible.
ed to, as well as what designs and apparel items are produced.
It wasn’t until college when that came back to life. If you had
However, it is also apparent in Pape’s setbacks and successes
asked me five years ago what I’d be doing now, I’d have told you
with Disidual that being true to himself and what he wants to
I would be working for a corporate company.” Now, five years
accomplish is the most important factor that turned the compa-
later, Disidual is a rapidly growing brand that has extended far
ny into what it is today. In our interview, Pape said
beyond the bedroom in Bellingham, Washington, where it was
that, “everyone starts small. If you could make a credible
founded.
business overnight, everyone would do it.”
From the very start, Brendan and co-founder, Christian Hark-
Disidual is proof that being different and doing your own thing
son, weren’t intending to create a brand as successful as this one
is a good thing that sometimes has extraordinary results—and
has become. In fact, they were just two college students looking
that’s exactly what the brand stands for.
for a way to express their personal belief in the importance of
deviating from the crowd. The brand name itself is a mash-up of the two words “distinct” and “individual,” and, sure enough, Disidual’s philosophy is rooted in the idea of a “distinct individual”—someone who goes off the beaten path and is true to
www.facebook.com/disidual
www.disidual.com
@disidual
@disidual
themselves. More specifically, a “distinct individual” expresses themselves by being active outdoors. Pape cites nature and the great outdoors as being huge influences on both his own life and the evolution of Disidual. He says that at Disidual, “we tailor our products to people who enjoy the outdoors.” Along with designing and branding apparel that appeals to customers who spend a lot of time doing things outside, such as skating, snowboarding, or biking, Disidual also manufactures merchandise for other brands that share the same consumer base, including Jones Snowboards, GoPro, and Teton Gravity Research.
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@OWNTHELIGHT
A Coffee Shop Convo with Vitaly Kibenko Pictures by:Annie Jacobs
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Written by:Annie Jacobs
V
italy Kibenko is a 19-year-old photographer from Seattle, WA. At his young age, he has over 20,000 followers on Instagram,
runs his own wedding photography business, and has done commercial work for numerous companies. After creating his Instagram not but 9 months ago, Vitaly has landed a shocking amount of commercial jobs posting for various brands & companies’ Instagram accounts -- enough to where he is no longer in need of a regular job. Going into the photography business full-time is a difficult & risky feat to take on. But with his remarkable skill and keen eye, Vitaly has already made a name for himself at an age most surprising. “As I grew up, it’s the only thing I could dream of doing,” he told us. His mother was a wedding photographer and his father was a videographer before both switched their career paths and began working for Boeing. Vitaly almost followed their steps as an engineer, but at 17-years-old, he came to the decision it was not right for him. “I was in college and I was going to become a mechanical engineer. And I remember this day I was sitting there and I was just so miserable and so tired because I was sick of what I was doing.” With that, Vitaly dove head first into his passion for photography. He was introduced to the Instagram community by close friend, Dmitry Shpak (@iamshpak), who brought him along on road trips and introduced him to inspiring people. “I surrounded myself with the right type of photographers who really drove me to be the best I could be.” Looking five years into the future, Vitaly says that he sees himself “traveling and being somewhere on the other side
“Pursue your dreams and don’t let anybody tell you otherwise!”
of the world.” He loves to travel, but also has a special place in his heart for his home in Seattle. “As cliché as it sounds, I’m a guy that has to get out at least once a month and travel. I’ve got to leave the house to get inspired. I love all the hikes in my area, and frankly, I absolutely love the rain; I absolutely love the Pacific Northwest. I don’t know if I’d ever live anywhere else, but I do travel a lot, all the time.” 444
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esides his pure talent, what really makes Vitaly’s Instagram unique is how he captions his photos, each with a Bible verse. “It’s actually becoming less of, ya know, a captioning-the-picture thing, but more so representing the verse,” he says.
“Every morning, when I read a verse that I love, I go through my phone and find a photo that relates to the verse.” As Vitaly began arranging his feed in this way, he started to receive an abundance of emails and direct messages on Instagram. People loved what he was doing, and it gave him opportunities to reach out to many around the world, some struggling or asking for advice, and others simply inspired by what he was creating. “Every verse I post is what I’m actually reading and what I’m going through that day,” Vitaly told us. The wholesome & genuine nature of what he does makes him stand out from others. He aims not to glorify himself through his work, but rather glorify God. When first deciding how to caption his photos, he asked himself, “How can I start making an influence on people through the work that I have & the talent that God gave me?” The portraits and landscapes captured by this awe-inspiring teen have by far surpassed the level of skill most freelance photographers have attained. Surprisingly, Vitaly strictly posts mobile phone shots from his iPhone rather than that of his DSLR on his Instagram feed. When first starting his account, he challenged himself to master the art of mobile photography. To those interested in any aspect of photograph, he encourages all to try it for themselves. “When I was a kid, my dad said this -- Don’t look to what you can have, but look to what you currently have and use it the fullest potential that it can possibly be used, and become the best at it.” Vitaly Kibenko takes every day & everything as it comes, looking onward with gratitude toward the moments he has been given.
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@ownthelight
www.ownthelightl.co
@ownthelight
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ISSUE 001