Hispanic Heritage Month reminds our community of how ingrained Hispanic influence is in contemporary creative industries and our culture. One leader in photography is Greg Swales, a fashion, lifestyle, and advertising photographer based in New York City.

Originally from Vancouver, the Canadian-British, Cuban fashion photographer comes from an early education in drawing, painting, and directing short films with his brother and friends. After graduating with a BFA in Photography, he moved to Havana, Cuba, to take art workshops and work on several photo essays, exhibited in Cuba and North America.

Swales is no stranger to celebrity photography, as one of the most recognizable photographers in the industry. Known as the official photographer of the Kardashian/Jenner family, his expansive portfolio including shots of Kim Kardashian, Nicki Minaj, Rosalía, Pharrell Williams, Ricky Martin, and more. He has also worked with acclaimed brands and publications such as Versace, Jean Paul Gaultier, Harper’s Bazaar, and GQ. Outside of photography, Swales doesn’t stray too far from his fine arts roots—he is also an accomplished painter. 

You can check out more of their work here on Creatively and @hellocreatively on Instagram.

What is the first creative project you remember?

The first creative projects I did as a kid was writing scripts and making little movies with my friends using my dad’s camcorder.

Describe your aesthetic in three words.

Vibrant, powerful, sexy.

What was the most fulfilling collaboration you’ve worked on?

The most fulfilling collaboration I’ve done was with model Jazzelle in Joshua Tree for Harper’s Bazaar Arabia.  She is one of my favorite muses, and every element I love was there: unusual and innovative high fashion, exotic location, the perfect natural light, sensuality, strangeness, and boldness.  No one had to make any sacrifices or compromises because every team member was on the same page.

What’s one creative project that taught you something fundamental about yourself?

When I was in university, I assigned a photo project to photograph the street that I lived on. I hated that assignment because I thought my street was, aesthetically, very boring. I did a series that I ended up loving and had framed on my wall after for over a decade. I learned that if you look for it, you can find beauty almost anywhere.

Do you think creativity is something you’re born with or something you’re taught?

I personally believe that a visual artist is born creative and with the instinct to create.

What’s the last dream you had?

Last night I had one of my recurring dreams, that I actually have not had in a long time, but always feels like it comes at a time of significance, and that I am meant to be aware of something. The dream is that I lose all of my clothes in public. Usually, I feel vulnerable and judged, but to be honest, thinking about it now, this time I don’t. I think that’s a big step forward for me.

One hundred years from now, what do you hope people write about your work?

One hundred years from now, I hope that people will remember me as a photographer who always made people look and feel their absolute best. As a painter that told multiple stories in a single image.

Follow @gregswales on Creatively.

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