This article features the work of a Latino and gay identified LA based artist, Manny Serratos.

Manny Serratos takes a break on a photo set.

Manny Serratos is an eclectic visual artist who combines the world we live in, with his genius photography. Being completely self-taught with no formal education, Manny has converged into a world of fresh perspective, captivating many as if opening their eyes for the first time.

Manny enjoys exploring photography in it’s beauty where others do not see it. He illuminates the mundane, bringing a raw, simplistic, and ethereal combination to a beautiful new level.

Manny’s vision is complex, real, and illustrious; capturing a small moment in everyday life and

Manny's default photo on Facebook

illustrating the world in it’s beauty through finite detail. He see’s the world through the missed, and captures the details that exude reality.

Based out of Los Angeles CA, Manny has created work conducive to his environment and has set the bar up high with many photographers today. Manny is the definition of a multi-faceted photographer, being strong in all his work with minute detail that associates the vision of his work through a photo.

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Q & A with Manny Serratos

What inspires your new photo collection called  ”Saint and Sinners?”

Breaking the stereo types of how you have to look a certain way to make it in society.

Please elaborate on these stereotypes and not being able to make it in society.

Well, being Latino myself, with a shaved head, with tatts, many times I have experienced prejudice.  Sometimes people are afraid of me just because of the way I look. Or how the “clean cut” look is the only acceptable appearance that will grant us to be successful. So by photographing these guys, I’m showing them in a different light. Where someone would be typically be scared of them or judge them- I’m shooting them where someone would be drawn to them, making them almost angelic like.

Through this collection, how do you plan on representing the gay Latino community in Los Angeles? Would you say that these images reflect the subculture of young gay Latin-urban men?

In a way, I feel that the brightness of the natural light in these images “washes” away all stereotypes and stigma. There isn’t straight or gay.  It’s seeing the guys for who they are and reaching deep in their souls.

I personally know a number of these guys as gay identified Latin men. Can you tell me what percentage of the men in the photo are gay? What percentage are Latino? Or would you rather keep this statistic a secret?

Yeah, a lot of people have been hitting me up and saying “Oh, I know her!” (laughs) I would rather not disclose this information because then, people can continue asking me “He’s gay? Really?”
What issues still impact the gay and Latino community here in Los Angeles with reference to stereotypes?

Although Los Angeles has a huge Latino community, I still believe that Latinos get a bad wrap in general. Let’s take for instance the Dodger Stadium beating.  I read so many comments after articles about people bashing latinos and the fact is that every Latino with a shaved head and tattoos were suspects.
Is there anything else that you want to add to this? Maybe anything about sexuality, which I feel you have been steering away from in this interview. Any advice to young readers?

LOL Yes because I don’t want sexuality to be the focus or issue in my series. My advice to young readers is to be true to themselves and dont waste time trying to prove other people wrong. Just spend time making a difference.
Thank you for your time and collaboration.

May the force be with you. Thank you. You can learn more about my work through my website at