Cameras and Classes

By Elizabeth Ramsay

Armed with knitting needles, high school senior India GettyPruss can be found in between classes, tucked away in a comfy chair during study hall, stitching away at her balaclavas. Once completed, India will carefully examine her work, sew in her “IMGP” tag, and add it to the completed pile.

In hopes to hold a balance between school and her clothing business, IMGP the brand, India spends her free time working on pieces for her most recent lines of clothing. Beyond balaclavas, India is selling a new line of boxers, along with screenprinted shirts, sweatshirts and bags with her personal designs.

“Whenever I get the chance, I’m working on something (for my brand),” said India.

The passionate young artists, India and junior Vladislava “Vlada”

Antipaka, have been able to take their craft outside of the high school classroom and branch out into a larger community to share their art, make a few bucks and experience the professional world of business.

India had always enjoyed art and design. As a kid, she was surrounded by artists in her family, and learned to sew at the early age of 6. She has also taken an art class all four years at OVS, this year being AP 3-D Art and Design.

Currently, IMGP sells an array of handcrafted shirts, sweatshirts, balaclavas, and a line of boxers. Her clothes feature creative and fresh designs on comfortable and quality material. She has experimented with a lot to make these patterns: screen-printing at home, knitting, sewing and even concrete.

Sustainability is an important feature of the brand. Almost all the shirts are thrifted and the boxers are made from organic cotton. “I pay a lot of attention to detail and sustainability — making the value in the details, and the quality,” India said. “I work a lot on the process of things, instead of just the end product.”

To India, the most important feature of her brand is not just its focus on sustainability and details, but customer satisfaction as well. “Obviously I like my clothes — that’s why I’m making them,” India said, “but it doesn’t mean anything to me if other people don’t like or feel comfortable wearing my clothes.”

Unlike India, who stewed in an artistic childhood and then broke o into her own venture, Vlada sought to better her photography skills by reaching out to professional photographer Mila Zvereva, who would mentor her and show her the basics of photography.

“Learning from the professional is the shortcut,” Vlada said. “I started working with her (Mila) and shooting for two months.”

In those two months, Vlada took pictures every day of anything she could see — her friends, the trees outside, and LA. “At first, It was di cult to find my style: fashion, street, food photography,” Vlada said, “but I never stopped enjoying taking pictures.”

Vlada took to full-fashion photography, taking stunning pictures of her models in the studio. To her, lighting is key — vibrant, and striking lighting that gives her photos a unique and dramatic style. She was greatly inspired by American fashion and portrait photographer Richard Avedon’s impressive “structure and lighting.”

Through Mila, Vlada had the opportunity in February to be the primary photographer of several artists being highlighted in the prestigious magazine The Wall Group, which advertises and photographs the hottest upcoming artists. Vlada was in charge of location prep, lighting, and backdrop, and coordinated both a full team of hair and makeup specialists. She was hired directly by The Wall Group and got paid directly by The Wall Group.

A Story Behind Every Shot

This picture was taken at a Ukrainian war relief event. Though the event was being held as a result of the “ugly” and unfortunate tragedy of war, there is beauty in this moment, for so many di erent people gathered together out of love and kindness in support of helping others. Though the subject in the portrait may not conform to the ideal standards of what is considered beautiful, she exudes beauty in her own way, for her beauty is manifested through her emotion, calmness, and wisdom. The guiding mantra of my art is: Find the beauty around you. I hope that through my art, I will also inspire others to do the same in viewing and appreciating life, no matter how hard it may seem.

— Vlada

“Everyone was freaking out that I was 16,” said Vlada. “They weren’t sure if I could pull it o . But when we started working, they were impressed that I was 16.”

Above all, what Vlada loves most is the connection she makes with the people she works with. “When you are shooting someone, you can really see what they’re all about,” she said. “You really understand them throughout the shoot and how they express themselves.”

Despite the challenge, there is no doubt Vlada has found her passion. She loves the freedom and the lifestyle she gets out of this artistic profession.

Both of the young artists have had to navigate the tedious details of being a functioning artist. Beyond having to be talented, the two work diligently at marketing, business connections and professionalism.

Last summer, India started IMGP, making an Instagram account in June, and creating clothes in August. “I wanted to share my art with people, and wanted people to associate it with me.”

The clothes are sold through an online store, and in person at Valley of the Moon, which sells thrift clothes and supports local young artists.

Vlada worked to develop a name for herself and a reputation. She began advertising herself in the photography world under the alias “Vlada Nata.” But trying to juggle school and navigate the expansive and intricate world of business is no easy task.

Running a business while in high school isn’t easy. “It is di cult especially because I have other things to do,” India said. “Like get into college.”

Looking to the future, these artistic gems will shine wherever their creative path takes them.

“IMGP is a start and practice for what I want to do for the rest of my life,” India said, “I’m going to college for fashion and design where I hope to expand and grow.”

For this photo, Vlada and India put together their two art forms. While displaying India’s work, Vlada was able to flex her artistic muscle with lighting, angles and poses.