1. Syl Arena
http://www.sylarena.com
Paso Robles photographer Syl Arena is obsessed with shadows as much as he is with light. "To create really interesting light," Syl says, "you have to create really interesting shadows." When not shooting for editorial and commercial clients, Syl teaches photo workshops across the U.S. and, starting this fall, in Britain and Europe. You can see his photography at SylArena.com and at Speedliting.com.

2. Kamil Konrad Baranowski
http://www.kamilkonrad.com
Kamil Konrad Baranowski  is a photographer, graphic designer, and web developer. His work is not bound by any one classification, but simply driven by his passion for art, design, and creating the extraordinary out of the seemingly ordinary.  Each day brings a new experience and with it the opportunity to expand and push new boundaries. The camera goes everywhere Kamil goes.

3. Jeff Chang
http://www.jeffchangart.com
A watercolorist and current graduate student of Cal State Long Beach, Jeff is interested in investigating social issues with his works. This has led him to integrate journalistic reporting with visual narratives. These "visual essays" are not unlike documentaries which serve as a study of a social issue and the human experience behind it.

4. Edward Finegan
http://www.dictionarysociety.com
Ed Finegan is a member of the Dictionary Society of North America and serves on its executive board. He lives part time in Morro Bay.

5. Matt Fountain
Cal Poly Journalism alum
New Times staff writer
Matt Fountain—or Wonder Boy, as he's known by the lackeys at the New Times editorial department—was a Poly transplant from the San Diego area. He still calls SLO "San Louie" just for fun, but kindly asks that you don't slash his tires.

6. Sara Ryan Garza
http://www.facebook.com/album.php?aid=2048425&id=1368382338
Sara Ryan Garza is a young local photographer with a whimsical edge. She has studied photography for the last four years and has won awards for her work. Sara attended Arroyo Grande High School. She has had the support of her family, friends, and teachers which has helped her achieve many of her dreams as a photographer. Along with photography, Sara likes to spin fire poi and write in her spare time. A special thanks goes out to Alan Fraser for his role as her photography mentor over the years.

7. Anhtuan Hong
http://www.ahongphoto.com
Anhtuan David Hong has been a photographer for the last four years. He could discuss his long love affair with the golden and vibrant air at the last hour of the setting sun in Morro Bay. He could describe the damp summer fog as it floats through the eucalyptus grove in Montaña de Oro while the morning sun peeks through from behind. He could recount the night, when against his better judgment, he climbed onto his roof and snapped photos of a lightning storm, with his metal tripod and all. However, Anhtuan would rather just say he loves what he does, just simply being a photographer.

8. Kathy Johnston
Kjmighty.pen@gmail.com
Kathy Johnston is one of a number of Kathy Johnstons living in SLO County. This Kathy Johnston is the Kathy Johnston who was featured some years back in the New York Times, the Washington Post, and many other national and international media for quitting her job in San Luis Obispo. This is also the Kathy Johnston who, disguised as a mild-mannered award-winning journalist and proofreader extraordinaire, fights a never-ending battle for truth, justice, and the San Luis Obispo way.

9. Brian P. Lawler
http://www.thelawlers.com
Brian P. Lawler has lived in San Luis Obispo since 1969. He graduated from Cal Poly (twice), owned and operated a local business for 19 years, and then struck out as a consultant to companies including Apple, Hewlett-Packard and Kodak. In 1999 he was asked to teach one course at Cal Poly, and over the next few years he gradually took on more courses. He is now an Asst. Professor in the Graphic Communication Department, teaching digital printing, advanced typography and color management.

10. Jennifer Manuele
Owner of Sally Loo's: http://www.sallyloos.com
1804 Osos St., San Luis Obispo, CA 93401
(805) 545-5895             
Jen is a photographer by trade, but fell into the restaurant business in 2009 when a cafe around the corner came up for sale.  She and her husband jumped at the chance to make the dream they had been whispering to each other come true.  Now she happily makes pies and shoots photos on the side.

11. Sara McGrath
http://lupesmom.blogspot.com
www.upcycleslo.blogspot.com
Sara McGrath, otherwise known as "Lupe's mom," is a bilingual art educator schooled in New York, who has worked with children and youth in such diverse places as San Francisco, New York, Chiapas, Mexico, Guatemala, and SLO County, creating artistic workshops and events. She now resides in San Luis Obispo with her husband Pedro and daughter Lupe where she leads a Spanish story time at the library, teaches art, is a crafter with the UpcycleSLO collective and works as a breastfeeding peer counselor for WIC.

12. Ryan Miller
http://www.halfpennyorchestra.com
Ryan Miller is one of at least two Ryan Millers living in San Luis Obispo. This Ryan Miller is the Ryan Miller who lived in Sacramento before moving to San Luis Obispo to study journalism at Cal Poly. This Ryan Miller is also a writer, editor, and sometimes freelancer who collects dragons, first editions, thimbles, lotería decks, and teas.

13. Colin Rigley
New Times staff writer
Colin Rigley graduated from San Diego State University with a minor in philosophy. After college, he cast aside his hopes of writing legislative policy in Sacramento and struggled his way to the middle as an intern for a small weekly newspaper.  He went on to proselytize the 5,000 bi-weekly readers of Calaveras Enterprise. Shortly thereafter, Rigley was hired by New Times, beating out another applicant who had been living out of a tent and writing about Midwest prostitutes because, as Rigley would later learn from his editor, he was the only applicant "who might actually show up."

14. Mark Velasquez
http://www.markvelasquez.com
Mark Velasquez received his BFA from Cornish College in Seattle in 2000. Since then he has traveled often, spreading his unique sense of humor and creative energy where needed. Today he can be found on the West Coast, camera in hand, mind reeling. You can currently view him on Bravo's Work of Art: The Next Great Artist.

15. Jennifer Young
http://iartu.blogspot.com
fueled by all things creative and a lover of the juxtaposition between the city and the earth!
enjoys crafting, blogging, taking pictures, music, aesthetic eats, and good design!