The LA wildfires that erupted just last week have left an indelible scar on the region. Entire neighbourhoods have been reduced to ash, families have lost their homes, and countless lives have been upended in an instant. The scale of destruction is almost unfathomable, with flames consuming everything in their path and leaving behind a hauntingly desolate landscape. For the people of Los Angeles, these fires are not just a natural disaster but deeply personal tragedies that will take years to heal.
Amid this devastation, photographers and artists have found themselves grappling with how to document and respond to such profound loss. Many have lost their homes, studios, cameras, and entire bodies of work. DIYP talked to some LA-based photographers to find out how they are coming together as a community to help one another and how photography is helping them process the complex emotions that come with witnessing such an event.
Photographers on the Frontlines
Photographers documenting the LA wildfires have found themselves at the epicentre of destruction, navigating perilous conditions to capture moments that resonate far beyond the immediate disaster zone.
“The Palisades Fire was one of the most destructive fires that I’ve ever seen,” said AP photojournalist Ethan Swope. His images, seared with the intense reds and oranges of raging flames, bring the devastation to life while emphasizing the human cost of the tragedy.
For those on the ground, the experience is as dangerous as it is emotionally draining. Experienced fire photographer and photojournalist Brandon Steadman recounted a harrowing scene: “Firefighters were running down the street pulling hose from a water tender trying to get water on the house. They were trying to contain another home that was on fire two houses over…Firemen got water on the house and threw their ladders on the roof. As they started to climb up the ladder, the center part of the roof collapsed…Explosions could be heard echoing all over the neighborhood as homes and propane tanks were exploding in the fire.”
Fortunately, the firefighters weren’t injured. However, it emphasises just how risky these jobs are. Photographing such chaotic scenes demands quick thinking, physical stamina, and an acute awareness of the unpredictable environment. Heat and smoke can obscure vision while shifting winds turn safe vantage points into dangerous hotspots in moments.
LA photographer Tommy Lei is a resident of Altadena which was engulfed by the Eaton fire. He tells of the moment he saw a tiny plume of smoke fanned by the strong Santa Anna winds and explode into a “a massive firestorm”.
That’s when reality truly sank in, and we began to anticipate the worst. Time seemed to lose its meaning as panic set in. We stayed as long as possible to monitor the situation until the city mandated an evacuation in our area.
Tommy Lei, Photographer
Leaving it all behind
Many photographers were not only documenting the fires professionally but were also victims of the blaze as they faced the devastation of their own homes and communities. “At approximately 5 a.m. on Wednesday, January 9th, my partner and I finally evacuated our home,” says Lei.
“The air was thick with haze and smoke, making it increasingly difficult to breathe indoors. The moment we knew we had to leave came when our cat, Chloe, started sneezing rapidly. By then, a city-wide evacuation mandate had been issued for our zone. We quickly packed a few cherished possessions, including my first framed photo with my partner and me and my cameras. As we drove away, I looked up at the hazy yet luminous sky, and there it was—the sun, ablaze. I snapped a quick snapshot of it on my iPhone 15 Pro in RAW mode.”
That single photograph became a symbol of resilience and hope for Lei. “I believe the photograph represents something that we all identify as home for Angelenos and beyond—the breathtaking sunrises and palm trees,” Lei explains how these two elements aligned perfectly in the photo, evoking a universal sense of hope. “It’s a reminder that we will rebuild and rise again from these ashes,” he said.
Reflecting on the experience, Lei noted, “Ultimately, this experience made me contemplate the fragility of our existence. Tomorrow is not a guarantee; everything we know can and will disappear one day. So, what do we hold onto? What do we make space for? That’s what this photo is meant to highlight. Tomorrow will rise again only if we believe in it. And that belief starts with us. This is a reminder to never lose hope and fight, even against all odds.”
The emotional toil
Lei’s story is echoed by many others in the artistic community. Even those not directly affected have sustained an emotional impact and a huge sense of loss. It’s a strange feeling and one that I experienced myself just two months ago when Valencia, where I live, experienced devastating flash floods that resulted in the deaths of more than 200 people. Dealing with the collective pain of such an event is a complicated process and involves mixed emotions. However, turning to the community and to the arts can help.
Cory Gehr, DP and owner of The Sunflower Pictures Production company, turned to his camera to help process “the surreal nightmare of helplessness while watching our communities burn”. Seeking solace in photographing the ocean with the skies heavy with smoke, Gehr’s photographs bear a striking juxtaposition between the destructive forces of nature and its impossible beauty.
Resilience and Rebuilding
The photographic community in Los Angeles has come together in extraordinary ways to support those affected by the wildfires. From exhibitions and fundraisers to individual initiatives, photographers and artists are using their talents to aid recovery efforts and spark meaningful dialogue.
“The community support from a grassroots level has been overwhelming. Los Angeles is fortunately home to so many photography-oriented institutions and organizations,” says Lei. “Photo LA and LenScratch have joined forces to start an initiative called Grief and Hope to support those in need within the larger LA community.”
One of the standout efforts is Lei’s own initiative—an Artist and Fire Relief fund through his studio, which provides direct assistance to artists, creatives, and small business owners whose homes or studios were destroyed. “There are no barriers to entry; we’ve kept the application form as simple and direct as possible,” Lei explains.
In exchange for donations, Lei is offering digital downloads and signed prints of his photograph, “Tomorrow Will Rise Again” (2025), the photograph that he took during the evacuation. “I think it’s the least I can do during these times that we are in,” he adds modestly. In a similar manner, Gehr is also selling limited edition prints of his recent work in return for donations.
Beyond individual efforts, the collaborative spirit extends to projects that use art as a platform for awareness. Powerful works have emerged addressing urgent issues like climate change, urban planning, and wildfire preparedness. As our cities increasingly find themselves on the frontline, these conversations will need to be had the world over.
Once again, photography fulfils several important roles, from documenting the ferocity of the wildfires and personal impact to fueling the aid relief and providing emotional solace as a way to process the grief. “Photography is therapy,” says Gehr, as he conveys perfectly the sentiments that all of us are feeling, near and far: “Our hearts are with everyone impacted by this, a moment in history that will take an unmeasurable amount of time to heal from, as the main event is anything but over.”
