Film and the City: SLC Photo Community

SLC Photo Community is a place where everyone can share their point of view and enjoy the outside world together through photography! Photo courtesy: Fofo Arellano

Art

It’s only fair to say that our current state of the world feels a little… disconnected, disillusioned and disengaged, right? The three D’s of the apocalypse, if you will. Though have no fear because the warriors behind SLC Photo Community (Dario Gomez (@d_filmstudio), Adolfo “Fofo” Arellano (@fofos.ok) and Chelsea Schmidt (@sweetiepea.photo) are here to save the day with one common goal: a community where everyone can share their point of view and enjoy the outside world together through photography! Whether it’s a film/analog camera or a DSLR, there’s something for everyone in their community. @d_filmstudio

Aldofo “Fofo” Arellano (@Fofo.ok). Photo courtesy: Logan Zundel

SLC Photo Community was started by Gomez in 2023 while his cousin Arellano was away on vacation, leaving Gomez all by himself at their shared apartment. Gomez also happened to be on summer break from school, and in his free time after work, he would ride his bike around, taking pictures of whatever interested him. He noticed an advertisement for a photography contest during this time called One Shot to Rule Them All, and after discovering it was legit, he entered. Making it into the final gallery of the contest, Gomez ended up in a room with 400 other photographers. He thought to himself, “I can’t believe there are so many of us in the city and that we don’t know each other.”

It was there that the idea of starting an accessible, closer-to-the-city, and free-to-all photography group was born. After making his own flyers and passing them around, SLC Photo Community had its first Photo Walk with 25 photographers. After that first event, Gomez recalls that “Fofo was already back and he helped me, and I remember that night when we got home, we couldn’t sleep because we were so excited.”

“It’s not, ‘Oh, you can’t do this if you don’t have the right gear,’ ya know? Anyone can come who wants to come.”

Dario Gomez (@d_filmstudio). Photo courtesy: Fofo Arellano

From then on, SLC Photo Community has continued to grow past photo walks and into projects like a community photobook, a Discord, a yearly anniversary party and Picture Quests, where Chelsea leads the community to different places, sometimes even outside of Utah, to photograph for day trips. Who’s welcome to the SLC Photo Community? “It’s not, ‘Oh, you can’t do this if you don’t have the right gear,’ ya know? Anyone can come who wants to come,” Chelsea informs.

All that matters is two things: “We are focused on photography and friendship. I think it’s kind of a relief to know that,” Arellano adds.

Chelsea Schmidt (@sweetiepea.photo). Photo courtesy of: Fofo Arellano

With their ever-growing attendees, SLC Photo Community has big dreams for itself and those who participate. “At some point, we would love to be a nonprofit. Even bigger, [have] our own space like a gallery or community darkroom, a studio space for the people. Just keep it going as true community spirit,” Gomez shares. For those who want to join that future, it’s simple: “Just try it, it’s fun,” Gomez encourages.

“There’s something magical that happens when you have a camera. It’s the anticipation of getting your film back.”

“There’s something magical that happens when you have a camera. It’s the anticipation of getting your film back. Just have fun and enjoy it,” Chelsea adds.

Come on out and join the fun that is SLC Photo Community! Whether it’s a Photo Quest or even their book club, they have something for everyone, whether you’re a photographer or not! You can keep up with all things SLC Photo Community (like their events, Discord, etc.) by following their Instagram, @slc_photocommunity. There, you can find reminders and even recaps featuring photos taken from their monthly Photo Walks! —Yonni Uribe

Photos by Dario Gomez: