In 1996, Dustin – mostly known as “Volo” or "El Volo" among his inner city associates -- was a college graduate with a lifelong love of photography and custom cars. When a move to Southern California became possible, it gave him the chance to combine his loves and enter a new, dark world.

The custom car genre of lowriding is a mostly family-oriented lifestyle but its roots can have close ties to street gangs. The lowrider life soon became Volo's destiny and his new move only expedited him to be closely associated with the turf of the most dangerous shot-callers and barrios in California.

Over the following decade, Volo made his mark in photography, capturing some of the most prolific faces of the urban world such as, Ice Cube, The Game, members of Korn, actor Noel Guglielmi, and super celebrity Snoop Dogg.

Volo’s unique photography has captured a fan base among the lowriding, hip-hop, and gangster theaters, giving him the ticket to enter the most dangerous neighborhoods that most would not be permitted. This has allowed Volo to document the more iconic residents in the most natural way: not in a studio; but actually among their natural surroundings of graffiti-covered concrete jungles outlined by street corners and dotted by palm trees.

From rappers to car club members, bikini models to gangsters, Volo has been capturing the most moving urban images ever seen on film to date. This Flickr profile offers a glimpse into his world as seen behind his camera lens. The photos in this portfolio are some of his best work, mostly unedited, raw and usually shot on 35mm film.

NOTE: All photos are available for sale as prints or high-res digital copy.

Other websites:

www.facebook.com/volophoto

www.volophoto.com

Follow on Instagram: elvolo