# Laid-Back Californian Photography Americana by Garrod Kirkwood Captures Essence of West Coast Life By Meghan Young | Published 2016-04-19 | Fashion Source: Trend Hunter, https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/garrod-kirkwood References: [visualnews](http://www.visualnews.com/2016/04/17/americana-series-captures-californias-laid-back-vibe/) & [garrodkirkwood](http://www.garrodkirkwood.com/) Quiet and laid-back, yet full of life and personality, the latest work of Garrod Kirkwood, a photographer hailing from the United Kingdom, has managed to capture the essence of the West Coast lifestyle in a short photo series. In town to shoot Samuel L. Jackson, Garrod Kirkwood took some time to explore California, Los Angeles, on his own. Appropriately dubbed [Americana](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/archivism), Garrod Kirkwood's photo series focuses on such [classic California motifs as skateboarders](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/united-through-skateboarding), neon motel signs, vintage cars, and sunny beach days. He gives them a twist via muted tones and a subtle color palette in order to really be [nostalgic](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/holy-ohio). The results are visually striking while allowing people to appreciate such a unique lifestyle. ## Trend Insights (Trend Hunter) - Score: 3.4/10 - Popularity: 60% | Activity: 35% | Freshness: 8% - Audience gender: 50% men, 50% women - Primary generations: Millennial, Gen X - Top markets: North America ## Categories [Trend Hunter](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends) > [Fashion](https://www.trendhunter.com/fashion) > [Photography](https://www.trendhunter.com/stylephotography) ## Key Themes ### Key Themes Behind This Trend - **Nostalgic Photography:** There is potential for a disruptive innovation in the photography industry to capitalize on the nostalgia trend by offering digital or printed photo books of artistic, nostalgic photos. - **Skateboarding Culture:** The skateboarding culture trend can be leveraged by the fashion industry by creating a new line of clothing that features motifs like vintage cars, neon signs, and beach-themed designs. - **West Coast Aesthetic:** The West Coast Aesthetic trend can be the basis for a new business opportunity for startups that specialize in interior or exterior home design, decoration and renovation. ### Where This Applies - **Photography Industry:** The photography industry can create a new category of products offering nostalgic photos focusing on classic California motifs like skateboarders, vintage cars and neon motel signs. - **Fashion Industry:** The fashion industry can leverage the skateboarding culture trend to create a new, stylish line of clothing that features vintage cars, neon motel signs, and beach-themed designs to target millennials. - **Home Decorating Industry:** The home decorating industry can tap into the West Coast Aesthetic trend to offer unique design elements and home décor options for consumers who want to create a West Coast-style living space. ## Related on Trend Hunter - [Cali Modernism-Inspired Outdoor Spaces](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/la-cool.md) - [Summer-Inspired Photo Collections](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/summer-dreaming-collection.md) - [British Youth-Culture Photography Books](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/home-and-away.md) - [Skateboarding Heritage Collection](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/united-through-skateboarding.md) - [Practical Californian Streetwear](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/gramicci-spring-summer-2024.md) - [Photography Project Series](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/still-life-1.md) - [California-Inspired Ranch Hotels](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/sun-ranch.md) - [Beer-Branded Adventure Films](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/a-letter-to-aptos.md) - [Skateboard-Themed Photography Books](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/rabbit-hole-1.md)