Skate subcultures are an endless source of inspiration for creatives around the world. Take photographer Leonn Ward and video maker Laura Colada, who recently trekked to the West Coast for three months to explore its skate scene, meeting a few LA kids along the way, Noah and Kieran. Ward got to briefly explore their lives, procuring an understanding on how skating is as much as a love as it is as an escape.

Lewis Firth: Why were you compelled to shoot these kids?
Leonn Ward: We were driving through Melrose out scouting and I spotted Kieran’s blonde hair a mile away standing on a corner, we pulled over to chat to him. It had been so long since I chatted to a normal teenager and see what they’re up to, especially one born and bred in Los Angeles. I had always imagined what it would be like to grow up in LA when I was younger, it was like my dream. So I grabbed the opportunity, he was so down for it too and once he heard we were from London he was up for anything!

LF: Did you spend a lot of time with them? Did you get to find a bit about their story?
LW: He came to our apartment with his friend Noah, and we were immediately captivated by Noah. I know it sounds corny, but once we met him we immediately knew he was special. He was everything we were looking to discover about teens in LA. He was honest and happy to discuss the highs and lows; his highs, spending time with his friends skating all day and going to parties in Beverly Hills mansions, to lows of how much he struggled in school, so much so that he decided to be home-schooled.

LA Teens by Leonn Ward from HERO magazine on Vimeo.

LF: What was most intriguing about these kids?
LW: The first thing I noticed about Noah was he was missing a lot of eyelashes, he openly told us he pulls them out from his anxiety. To me, LA is a dream, so meeting these kids that have the “it’s really not all that” take on it, was really interesting. Don’t get me wrong, they love it, but I guess it’s not all exciting living in such a strange city. The mix between the poor and super rich is insane – I’ve never seen anything like it.

LF: Loads of people crave for this kind of insight into these skate subcultures – why do you think that is?
LW: I really don’t know. I can’t really remember the exact point where all of a sudden everyone was obsessed with it, but for these kids and for how it is for a lot of passionate skaters, they do it because they love it and that’s it. Noah and Kieran told us about when they were having a bad day they’d just get their boards and skate for hours and hours. I guess it’s like meditating for them.

LF: Would you like to continue the series? If so, is there anywhere specifically you’d like to go? And why?
LW: Yes, definitely. My next projects will be ‘Teens in Tokyo & Bangkok’.