For over 30 years, Los Angeles-based photographer Moses Sparks built a successful career capturing images for major movie and TV studios, magazines, and Fortune 500 companies. During the pandemic, when many companies were on hiatus, Moses pivoted to wildlife photography, traveling to destinations such as Africa, Costa Rica, Canada, and Brazil. His breathtaking work has earned him a published book, TV appearances, recognition on Sony’s Artisans of Imagery podcast, and renowned gallery exhibitions, including two with the National Park Service. Since retiring from NBC Universal, Moses and his wife left the city after 20 years to settle in Wrightwood. Although he continues to work with big studio clients, he’s now able to embrace a quieter lifestyle, drawing inspiration from the local wildlife and landscapes. His stunning photographs, often shared on Facebook groups, have led to widespread local acclaim, boasting hundreds of likes and comments from community members.
This month, Moses’s artwork will be featured in An Intimate Portrait of Wrightwood at the Wrightwood Community Arts Center & Gallery throughout December. The opening reception, free to the public, will take place on Saturday, Dec. 7, from 5 to 8 p.m. and will include an insightful art talk by the artist. For those unable to attend, don’t worry—you can still get to know the man behind the lens. We asked Moses about his art, inspiration, and advice for future artists.
When did you know that you wanted to become an artist?
I have been doing photography for most of my life. When I was 12 years old, I had a darkroom in the basement of my parents’ house. I loaded, processed, and printed my own film. Looking through their stacks of Life magazine was magical to me, and I dreamed of going on such adventures and recording the world with my cameras.
Tell us about your artwork.
My background in photography has been extremely diverse. I was “classically trained” in the techniques of photojournalism but soon moved into fashion and portraiture, then corporate and advertising work, and ultimately found myself working primarily for the entertainment industry. There I would shoot celebrities, directors, producers, and executives, as well as a wide range of event and documentary subjects. In everything I do, I try to use the camera to tell a story about the subject. That often means doing it in a single frame, which is very challenging but also very satisfying. It is the art of brevity—a type of poetry as opposed to a novel.
Where do you find inspiration for your artwork?
At this stage of my career, I find that two things drive me and keep my love for photography alive. One of them is an old friend: light. The way that light falls and shapes a subject has fascinated me for more than 40 years. My lighting style is the thing most responsible for my success in the industry, and I have spent decades learning how to find it, harness it, and paint it into my pictures. The other thing is relatively new, and that is the animals themselves. I have always loved animals and nature, but only in the last five years have they been a subject for my photos. I see each one as a work of living art, and in turn, I attempt to make the definitive portrait of what it makes me feel inside. I have fallen passionately in love with the pursuit of wildlife, and I suspect it will make up the majority of my work for the rest of my life.
Who are your artistic heroes?
Helmut Newton, Peter Beard, Albert Watson, David Yarrow
When you’re not creating art, what do you enjoy doing?
I had a stint as a professional musician, and I still enjoy playing occasionally. Much of my free time these days is spent with my dog, Badger. We adopted him from a rescue organization as a puppy, not really knowing what we were getting. As it turns out, he is mostly Belgian Malinois—the dog of choice for search and rescue, security, and police work throughout the world. He is an extraordinary dog, and I spend a lot of time training him. It keeps him happy, focused, and allows him to be all that he can be—as well as my best friend!
Is there any advice you would give to aspiring artists hoping to be featured in a gallery someday?
Learn all you can about your chosen craft: its history, its important practitioners, and its significance in our culture. You can’t fake knowledge; you have to put in the work and really learn the fundamentals. That will give you a broader perspective on what it is you are trying to achieve. And finally, if it is what you want to do for a living, you need to learn all you can about the business of being an artist—how to market your work and yourself, how to manage your money, and how to operate a functioning business. Sadly, it’s something that many creative people ignore, believing that “talent” is enough to take them where they want to go.
Follow Moses on social media through Instagram @moses.sparks or on Facebook @moses.sparks.7 and visit his website for more stunning photos of his work www.mosessparkswildlifephotography.com
