Scrambled Eggs Interview Series: Sarah Robles

A building glows with neon light against a black sky and a shadowy tree. The most obvious source of light is a blue-lit awning decorated with red and white stars. A life belt hangs on a fence near signs reading "Pool Rules." — *Sarah Robles,* Diamond Inn Motel Las Vegas, Nevada July 24th, 2022, *2022, Photograph*

The Scrambled Eggs Interview Series is a six-part series of interviews with emerging artists from Las Vegas who recently had solo exhibitions at Scrambled Eggs Gallery. Each artist was interviewed by Emmanuel Muñoz, creator of, and curator at, Scrambled Eggs. This third interview in the series was conducted with Sarah Robles, whose No Vacancy was on view from June 5th through June 12th, 2022.

Introduce yourself here:

My name is Sarah Robles. I am a 29 year old living in Las Vegas. I moved here when I was just a baby and I’m glad to call this place my home.

EM: What attracted you to the camera and when did you first pick it up?

SR: What attracted me was being able to capture moments. I first picked up a camera when I was in high school, my best friend Amanda and I would get together and take pictures of each other and things.

EM: What do you feel is the value of photography and image-making in general?

SR: I think photography can be whatever you want it to be. That is what is so cool about it. If you take two people and have them shoot the same subject, they come out completely different. Everyone sees the world through their unique eyes, and with photography you’re able to capture a little piece of your world and share it with others.

EM: What sort of images are you currently interested in?

SR: I am currently interested in street photography and landscape. Also, anything neon has my heart. I like my photographs to pop with color and I prefer almost no humans in my photos. I mainly shoot at night.

EM: What is it about shooting at night that you like?

SR: I really love how at night the lights reflect off the walls, ground and objects. The photos I capture at night remind me of a movie set or a dream.

EM: Who are some of your current creative inspirations?

SR: Honestly everyone I follow on Instagram. Everyone is just so talented and they all have their own style.

EM: Does anyone specifically come to mind?

SR: I love some local people @Jxn.nthn.35mm , @arabellaaa__ , @james.grossiii, Pannedbycritis and @taylordeewatson

A black and white image of an urban intersection lined with multi-story buildings. Signs on the buildings read "Liquor. Cocktails. Bar. Fremont." The building at the center of the image is decorated with huge, realistic images of pinned butterflies. — *Sarah Robles,* Fremont St. Las Vegas, Nevada August 26th, 2021, *2021, Photograph*

EM: Why did you decide on film as your medium as opposed to digital photography?

SR: Back in 2013 or 2014 I bought myself a Sony a6000 which is a digital camera. I found that I did not like to edit photos, it is a very tedious process in my opinion. So I would take photos and just post raw images online, but didn’t really get much feedback from those. My parents have a ton of boxes with film photos of me as a baby and teenager. So in 2019, I decided to buy a couple disposables and take them with me to parties, concerts or family gatherings. I did this for the memories. Disposables were so expensive, I decided to buy a reusable cheap plastic Kodak. I was still only using it to capture memories. But then… COVID hit, I was bored out of my mind. My best friend and I picked up our cameras and started to shoot The Strip and Downtown on our small Kodak M35’s. It all just clicked for me. I thought, “wow, I can take photos of things I like and not have to edit anything.”

That is what I love about film photography. The images just are, you don’t have to edit anything and they still look amazing. I was still using a cheap point and shoot when I started wondering what my images would look like if I had a nicer film camera. I made a new friend over the summer… Dalton Campbell, and he let me borrow his Nikon F3 and Olympus mju II for a trip to San Francisco. After I got those images back, I was 100% hooked on film photography. I really wanted to buy an F3, but it wasn’t in my budget. I did a lot of research and found that the Canon AE-1 was a great camera to start with. That’s exactly what I went and bought. I watched endless videos on how to use it, and it is now my baby. The images you currently see are mostly taken on my canon AE-1, with a couple on the F3. All are raw images.

EM: Around that time, you also mentioned to me that you also became more involved with the creative community in Las Vegas, what’s that been like?

SR: I’ve learned that there are so many talented people in Las Vegas. They are all around, you just have to look. Putting myself out there has been hard for me, but I’m meeting new people everyday and getting out of my comfort zone to make new connections and friendships.

EM: Your recent exhibition at Scrambled Eggs Gallery this summer was a huge success and milestone for you. What was that like for you and where are you now?

SR: It was a really great experience. I was not expecting so many people to show up and see my work, overall a very satisfying feeling. I am currently in the works of having another show.

A neon-lit building stands out against a dark night sky. A sign on the roof reads, "Mr D'z Route 66 Diner. Kingman Arizona." Tables and chairs stand next to garbage cans by the door. — Sarah Robles, Mr. D’z Diner Kingman, Arizona July 21st, 2022, 2022, Photograph

EM: What is the role of social media for you as a creative?

SR: I have completely changed my Instagram and made it into a film photography page. I have decided to use it as a tool to grow a following, and follow other film photographers. I’m able to chat with people from all over the world, and most importantly share my photos with the world. People will reach out to me and ask me questions about the camera I use, film stock and metering. I absolutely love it!

EM: You're also part of a film photography club, what is that like?

SR: Again, I’d like to give a huge shout-out to Dalton Campbell. He was the one who added me to that group chat. It’s pretty cool. We ask each other questions, advice, and go on photo walks together. Everyone in the chat is super supportive and I can’t want to meet all of them one day.

EM: What is special about living in Las Vegas as a creative?

SR: It is special because the creative scene is still growing in Las Vegas. Attending creative events allows you to see the potential and creative minds out here. You also learn that Vegas is very small and everyone knows everyone somehow.

EM: What's in store for your future photography work?

SR: I plan to travel to different states, meet with new people and learn from them. I love what I do. I love it with a passion. Maybe one day I’ll get into 120mm film photography, but I still have a lot to learn with 35mm.

For more about Sarah Robles, follow her on Instagram @spicy_sawah and Scrambled Eggs Gallery @scrambledeggsgallery

Scrambled Eggs Gallery is an artist-run gallery and collective based in Las Vegas, Nevada working to spotlight and exhibit up-and-coming artists. Link to the other interviews from the Scrambled Eggs Interview series here.

A worn pink and white sign reading "Monteray Motel" stands against a pale sky. It seems taller than the palm tree we can see behind it. A pink star, stylized in a mid-century Atomic Age style, decorates the sign below the word "Motel." — *Sarah Robles,* Sign of the Monterey Motel Las Vegas, Nevada August 20th, 2022, 2022, Photograph

Posted by D.K. Sole and published by Wendy Kveck on September 18, 2022.