Emi Ramos In Frame

Growing up, PCC student Emi Ramos had a penchant for photography. They were inspired by fashion magazines and the album covers of their favorite music artists. What’s more, their experiences living in art-centric LA imbued them with a sense of style. 

“I would study other photographers and their work, wanting to know how they shot something, what their motivation was behind a particular series, that kind of thing,” says Emi. “Eventually, I got into self-portraiture, which is what my photography focuses on.”

When it comes to their work, Emi finds inspiration in past experiences. 

“Most of my art is created from that,” they explain. “In fact, it can be very therapeutic for me to step back and try to capture a specific emotion or experience through a camera lens.”

In their 2023 photo series Penitence, Emi touches on the complexity of their relationship with religion. This bold effort earned them 1st place in the Advanced Best in Show category at the William G. Ericson Photography Competition and Scholarship Awards Ceremony in April. 

“I was so surprised when they called my name,” says Emi. “It still feels unreal to me. This award is going to help me continue to create art and pursue my education, and I’m so grateful for it.”

Emi has their eye on UCLA for Fall 2024. You can find their work at www.emiramos.com.