award winning journalism. —

PEPPER Magazine has been awarded Magazine of the Year, 2022 & 2023.

We are honored to be named the winner of this prestigious award for two consecutive years, in 2022 and 2023.

Following the Texas Fashion Industry Awards, PEPPER Magazine was named BEST MAGAZINE OF 2023 by European contemporary pop art & culture hub, POP Sonality!, making it our first European title.

When we first won the TFI Magazine of the Year title in 2022, we were only 5 months old and still getting our bearings.
Since then, in relation to the fashion world, we have…

* Showcased budding designers from San Antonio, other parts of Texas and all over the world, giving them an outlet to bring their designs to the world stage in an otherwise saturated market.

* Highlighted brands and creatives who are making strides in sustainability, reducing our carbon footprint, promoting reworked designs and recycled wearable art, and encouraging more humane practices within slow fashion.

* Strongly promoted, sponsored, taken part in and covered fashion forward events which benefit nonprofits, uplift our LGBTQ+ community, empower youth, and fund medical research.

* Welcomed Texas, national and international fashion professionals on board as staff photographers, journalists and creative consultants for PEPPER Magazine.

* Held space for, encouraged and featured child and youth models and creatives, as well as our CEO addressing middle and high school children as a speaker / presenter at Providence Catholic School Career Day for the second time in the area of Modeling, Fashion and the Publishing Industry.

* Championed inclusivity in our fashion features across cultures, ages and abilities.

* Created and generated our own fashion contributions, editorials and insights with a strong focus on sustainability.

And in the broader sense, we have…

* Helped people all over the world to feel seen & heard by sharing their stories and providing them a safe space to speak their truth.

* Bridged cultural gaps and in doing so, fostered understanding and compassion across countries and religions.

* Shed light on tough issues while providing pragmatic and empathetic solutions via responsible activism.

* Championed individuals & organizations who are making a difference, leading the way to a softer, kinder & better world.

* Uplifted nonprofits & community efforts the world over who desperately need visibility to bring forth real & lasting change to the people, animals & environments they serve.

* Made cultural preservation a central focus, showcasing the traditions & artistry of indigenous, sovereign, independent and protected peoples around the world.

* Given children a platform to prove that their art, their music, their ideas & innovations are just as important and valuable as any adults’ contributions to society.

* Promoted mental health while holding space for mental health issues, intellectual disabilities, neurodivergence & placed a strong emphasis on psychology & philosophy.

* Encouraged our readers to love one another, to get active & involved in their communities, to travel or to explore their own home base with new eyes, to play while working toward their dreams, to learn when to rest rather than to quit, and most importantly, to remember who they are.

There is no greater treasure than the indomitable human spirit.
We’re here to help honor, preserve and protect this aspect of humanity.
Thank you for coming this far with us…
We have so much more to show you.

about us. —

Who is PEPPER Magazine?

PEPPER is an award-winning international publication with a focus on the arts, culture and business.

Founded in March 2022, PEPPER Magazine
celebrates humanity in all its forms. It is a magazine for all ages, abilities and disabilities, and fully inclusive. Since its debut in June 2022, the magazine has consistently shed light on pressing global issues, offering pragmatic solutions through responsible activism.

Its mission is to champion individuals and organizations that are actively working toward creating a kinder and better world.

—journalist Catalina Baumgarten of 4TinyHands

partners. —

Become a PEPPER Partner!

PEPPER MAGAZINE IS GROWING!
OUR FIRST YEAR HAS BEEN PHENOMENAL!

We are an INCLUSIVE global publication with an international staff.
[ The United States / United Kingdom / Spain / Africa ]

We place heavy emphasis on the underlying human story in every subject we cover. A journalistic collection of intimate editorial biographies, rich with creative and documentary imagery.

A platform for ALL people, all ages, all cultures, religious affiliations (or not), orientations and all disabilities and abilities to tell their stories.
PLEASE CONSIDER HELPING US CONTINUE TO TELL THOSE STORIES.

DONATE $10, $25, $50 & BECOME A PEPPER PARTNER & BE RECOGNIZED ON OUR PEPPER PARTNER PAGE EACH ISSUE.

THANK YOU!

submissions. —

Art call / photography & literary submissions ALWAYS OPEN.

Send submissions to the email icon button below.
Or view our guidelines first, also below.

We invite you to email our staff with interesting humans, businesses and nonprofits to potentially interview (locally, in our neighboring cities, nationally or globally; all are welcome).
We have a saturated lineup but we’re always open to learning more and meeting new people.

+ Accepting submission types as listed in the web flyer.
+ No submission limit.
+ Open globally.
+ No deadlines / no fees.

CEO & editor in chief. —

K. Day

My name is Kat, As founder and chief editor of PEPPER Magazine, I run the creative department (from layout to full design and aesthetics). I am also an active photojournalist, writer and technical / fine artist for our global publication. This entails writing articles, shooting photos for content as well as for some of our advertisers, and even often times hand-designing (painting and mixed media) cover art and illustrating certain columns.

I’m a 43 year old neurodivergent (autism / ADHD) business woman, first generation American on my father’s side (immigration from Australia and third generation American on my mother’s side (immigration from Ireland). I am a pansexual cisgender female and part of the LGBTQIA community.

I am the proud mother of an autistic child with a cognitive disability, for whom I founded this company in part. My goal is to provide my son who is an artist and animator (currently age 14) with gainful and meaningful career employment when he comes of age. Everything I do is humanitarian based and we are honored to work with nonprofits, community efforts and even refugees from all over the world.

As such, I sit on the Advisory Board of the Alora nonprofit for adult autists. I have children’s books in the works for which I am the illustrator and author.

On my background, I’m an internationally published artist, author, creative consultant and intuitive life coach. I design wearable art and gifts for my company, The Imaginarium Wonder Emporium. I’ve been a photojournalist, art illustrator and content writer for various publications and blogs for over 24 years. I formerly held a modeling career for over 18 years that led to acting and directing, which I still may pursue in the future. Who knows?

I always seek to be of the most help to our community and raise awareness around global humanitarian issues any way I can. It was with this intention that I founded PEPPER Magazine. It is also my intent that the publication be inclusive, diverse and support marginalized communities and those with varied abilities / disabilities by creating a safe space for all to be heard. Thank you for taking the time to learn about our mission. I anticipate great things for the future.

sustainable fashion & lifestyle expert. —

Becky Witte-Marsh

Meet PEPPER Magazine’s Sustainable Fashion & Lifestyle Expert, Becky Witte-Marsh.

Becky found her passion for sustainable fashion and home furnishings at an early age when being sustainable was a necessity.
A lifetime of creating her own personal style through sustainable sources, got the attention of those around her.
Today her innovative creations using vintage, thrift and self-made items will inspire a new way to look at dressing and styling your home.

Becky will help you turn style sustainability from an inconvenience into an ADVENTURE!

Give Becky a follow and keep an eye out for her work in Pepper Magazine.

creative team. —

Elliot Carlyle & Edwin Pierrot

Elliot Carlyle, Chief Consulting Director, and Edwin Pierrot, Chief Creative Director, of CURRENT•LY Global are a dynamic, Afro-Latino-duo inspired to help people and brands reimagine, redefine, and represent through creativity.

"We work with entrepreneurs, corporations, and brands across industries, including: fashion, entertainment, jewelry, and lifestyle to create unforgettable experiences. Together, we elevate brand awareness using creativity, innovation, and strategy. We make brands more purpose-driven, intriguing, consistent, and enigmatic."

Elliot and Edwin have a combined skillset which covers art direction, creative direction, photography, styling, movement coaching, brand development, social media strategy, program development, and more.

Together, the dynamic duo have paired up to serve as a collective creative force for PEPPER Magazine. Combining their efforts as photographers, journalists, content creators and advisors, they work in unison as a team out of New York. With their keen industry insights across genres and their commitment to editorial excellence and empowering others, they prove an invaluable asset to our humanitarian-driven publication.

financial professional & business columnist. —

Roham Carrión

Roham Carrión, PEPPER Magazine’s first business columnist, is an entrepreneur who is passionate about networking, pioneering inventions, and all things related to entrepreneurship, which has led to his journey as a podcaster, writer, event organizer, and marketer by profession. He has a strong background in business, finance, insurance, and great writing.

His podcast, Born to Hustle focuses on bringing success to manifestation with his core values of commitment, credibility, and ambition.

“In order to overcome problems, one must possess unwavering determination and aspire to make a mark on the world that will last forever, one ambitious undertaking at a time!”
—R. Carrión

Digital Marketing Expert & Business Columnist —

Alyse Zagada

Alyse Zagada was born and raised in Mission, Texas, in the Rio Grande Valley. She moved to San Antonio to attend St. Mary's University, where she graduated with a degree in Communications in 2019. In 2022, she earned a Digital Marketing certification from UT Austin's McCombs School of Business.

Alyse serves as the treasurer for Ferrari Kid, a nonprofit organization dedicated to supporting children with cancer and medical disabilities. She is also a multi-small business owner. At The Blooming Social, her social media agency, she develops strategic social media plans to effectively market people and brands. Additionally, she owns Wild Bloom Vintage, a women's fashion store specializing in sustainable fashion and unique knickknacks.

Alyse's career encompasses aiding small businesses with digital marketing and collaborating with multi-billion dollar companies. She is passionate about family time, supporting local businesses, and engaging in community service. Alyse now enjoys life in San Antonio, Texas, where she continues to make a positive impact in her community.

director & cinematographer. —

Michael Avila Christman

Founder of Darkhorse Photography, his photographic and media company, San Antonio native creative professional Michael Avila Christman is a fixture here.

His projects range from short film to documentary to commercials to editorial fashion photography. He’s worked with well known models, designers, makeup artists, musicians, local celebrities and other professionals throughout his expansive career.

Now, Michael is taking his passion for journalism and theatrical storytelling to new heights by collaborating with PEPPER Magazine and taking on a staff contributor role. He will be responsible for the majority of commercial video content for the publication through his tenure to come.

visual documentarian & drone specialist  —

Gabriel Chávez Zeckua

“My name is Gabriel Chávez Zeckua, and I am a specialist in aerial video and photography with drones. I was born in Mexico City, where I lived for the first 30 years of my life. In June 2013, I moved to San Antonio, Texas to pursue a career in IT in the banking industry.

Over the years, I developed a passion for drone photography & videography, and in 2014, I bought my first drone, which eventually led me to establish my personal brand—Skyline Drone. Through my work, I aim to showcase a unique perspective of San Antonio and beyond.”

The Co-Owner of @thebravesfc , he is also Host of the @acaentreamigospodcast . Gabriel comes onto the PEPPER team as an incredibly valuable asset by way of his passion for documenting contemporary history, culture, architecture and progress. We are honored to have his unique perspective and years of multimedia expertise.

networking liaison & multimedia journalist —

Basilio Romo — Anita Verga

TV / Film / Fashion / Art / Pop Culture / Politics

Meet PEPPER Magazine networking liaison & multimedia journalist, Basilio — “ANITA”. Whether running interviews, shooting events, networking & rubbing elbows with the people who are pioneering great things, you’ll be sure to see Basilio / Anita representing this inclusive publication with love for the arts & a warm inviting spirit.

photographers K. Day Gomez & Miss Taint

style consultant. —

Charity Stewart

“My name is Charity Stewart. I was born and raised in Houston, Texas. I am a very family
oriented person, I grew up with two sisters and a brother. In highschool is where I met my now husband, we have been together since 2015 and have been married since 2021. I went to Sam Houston State University to run track and I majored in business. I moved to San Antonio in 2021.

I am a licensed disability job coach. One of my passions is helping people and being certified allowed me the opportunity to help people with disabilities from the ages of 17-23 find a job and be equipped for the workforce. Currently I work as a barista at Press Coffee and also at Mint Vintage. My husband and I are in the process of launching our brand called Team Faithful. We started this because we want to encourage young couples to stay committed and honor each other despite what the culture is saying today. We believe that life is about community and helping others which makes me so happy to be a part of PEPPER Magazine where helping people is in our DNA.

Growing up, I have always had a passion for fashion. I remember getting up on Saturdays to put outfits together and giving my family a fashion show in the living room. Now as an adult I am able to make a fashion show for myself every day and also for PEPPER Magazine.”

Charity will be sharing her favorite fashion and beauty tips, hacks and trends (old and new) as well as the brands and entrepreneurs she recommends in her own column.

style consultant. —

Andrew Barraza

Andrew is a graphic novel artist & comic book enthusiast who also happens to be a mustache connoisseur.

“Men are always just kinda left out when it comes to grooming topics. I had to learn all my tricks on the street. I’m and ambassador for a couple of stache grooming brands. It’s been a blast growing it, helping others with tips and making new friends.

I still draw when I have the chance. Love comics and art.”

He is here to lend PEPPER Magazine his expertise in mens grooming, the sub- cultural aspect that goes along with this niche and other great products, tips and resources for men.

“It’s really funny, without knowing when I got into it, there’s a giant mustache community out there of dudes that are happy to encourage, give tips, even help out with charities and events. One of the companies that I ambassador for donates part of every sale to first responders. Turns out there’s a lot of firemen that make and sell mustache wax also.

And seeing people randomly, I ALWAYS get compliments from people. And I’m happy they think it’s cool and get a kick outta it. Even gotten some free beers in the bars. That’s worth it right there alone.”

healing practitioner. —

Romy Nava

Romy Nava has been actively developing his gift as a healer since the beginning of 2013.

As a Sound Healing and Reiki practitioner, he has formulated a signature holistic protocol. His clients are comforted and claim to experience a relaxed calming sensation for days following each session he provides.

Also a media tech and podcast host, Romy aims to educate and hold space for enlightened thought by way of his platform. He establishes a dialogue that is relatable with the intention of getting to the core of the human psyche, spirit and mind-body connection. He examines the choices we make vs. practical and functional resolution.

All of this expertise and experience makes him an incredible asset to PEPPER Magazine. Say hello to Romy and open yourself up to learning something new…maybe even about yourself.

writer, fine artist & wellness specialist. —

Edward Lewis Traví

Edward is a multi-disciplinary creative & wellness specialist.

As a published performing pianist composer, visual artist, and soon to be published author and illustrator via poetry in one hand. And an entrepreneur in the field of wellness via his newly opened private practice after 12 years assisting thousands of individuals in the spa industry.

In his own words- "Life is steady" as he diligently develops his careers in both the fine arts & wellness industries.

Edward thrives to lead in the direction of being a humanitarian. Sharing/performing/ inspiring others as a creative allows him the ability to globally connect. While also focusing on one person at a time, assisting with their well-being serving locally in San Antonio, TX.
It seems that even though both focuses in the field of art & healthcare came through later in his life as career choices, these areas have been in his system since he was a young child. He simply just fine-tuned his passions as life passed.

At a very young age- both of his parents allowed him the space to be curious, explore, learn & create. Aside from drawing, writing was his first forms of expression, diving into his imagination, putting a pen to paper; story telling, poetry and with great appreciation, he now has PEPPER as his platform to write about both fields now!

All in all- it is genuinely connecting with life and all living that fuels his soul.

motivational mindset coach. —

Crystal Lopez-Crebs

Crystal Lopez-Crebs received her degree in Fashion Design & Marketing from The International Academy of Design & Technology in Tampa, FL. She also interned with designer Tracy Reese in New York learning the ropes of New York Fashion Week (NYFW).

She owned an entertainment company in Tampa where she created costumes, did makeup, and stylized looks for her team. After moving to Texas, she mastered her crafts in the makeup industry working for MAC Cosmetics. She has also done makeup for LA & San Antonio Fashion Week, worked on film sets as both talent and wardrobe & production design, and developed her fashion production skills at Neiman Marcus.

Crystal is now the talent coordinator for X Level Inc, a creative agency in San Antonio, TX, where she helps scout and develop talent. She is also the founder of the nonprofit, Fashionable Adoptions, that promotes animal adoption through fun fashion events, most notably her fashion shows that showcase adoptable animals walking the runway.

She’s helped many people (and animals) improve their lives with her health & wellness business alongside her husband, especially through her story overcoming a health challenge. She loves to talk about vision and mindset to her audience to empower them to live a bigger life. Her unique style and excitement for living a healthy life can be felt as she shares her passions on social media and in person. Crystal brings her bright light & energy to inspire everyone to live an abundantly beautiful & healthy life from the inside out.

poet laureate. —

Andrea ‘Vocab’ Sanderson

Poet Laureate 2020-2023, performs as “Vocab” in her hometown of San Antonio, Texas.

“Watching her perform, the word “hero” comes to mind. And not “hero” for the sake of just skill, but for her work in her community: Sanderson teaches poetry workshops, mentors, builds up and encourages artists to pursue their art, and gives them platforms to showcase their talent.
Sanderson’s interest in other people’s art and artistic development became a passion of hers, and she started curating her own shows and creating platforms for other artists to hone their craft by hosting open mics.”
-The San Antonio Current, Jan. 16, 2018

Her poetry is published in, The Texas Observer, January 2016 Issue, Pariah Anthology SFA Press, March 2016, and Sycorax’s Daughters, Cedar Grove Publishing, January 2017, Soundbite Vol. 3, Anti-Languorous Project, Spring 2019. Her debut book entitled: She Lives In Music, published on Flower Song Press, was released on Valentine’s Day 2020. Her album She Tastes Like Music, is available on all music streaming platforms.

She received awards, Performer of the Year, Influencer of the Year, from Project Forward, and Dream Voice, from the Dream Week Commission. Sanderson is the winner of the 2019 People’s Choice Award, awarded by Luminaria Artist Foundation (formerly known as: Artist Foundation of San Antonio). In May of 2020 she was awarded Best Live Entertainment/Band Musician of the Year by the SEA Awards.

literary author & poet. —

Njabulo Nkambule

Njabulo Nkambule also known as Njabulo N. is a writer, a poet hailing from the Kingdom of Swaziland.

“I'm also an author of the soon to be published anthology, DEEP-ROOTED-WORDS which will include mainly my written poems. I’m a devoted,multi-passionate, hardworking poet with a keen eye for detail and an insatiable interest in the use of the written word.

I'm one person who is so passionate about poetry having so many written poems under my name (not yet published). My writings (poems) include quite a number of poetic forms including rhymed poetry, narrative poetry, pastoral poetry, elegies poetry, limerick poetry, lyric and soliloquy poetry.”

PEPPER is enriched by the presence and liter contributions of this gifted writer and we are excited to see how he helps to shape the overall landscape of our publication over time.

flash fiction writer. —

Jonathan Darren Garcia

Jonathan Darren Garcia is a San Antonio based writer. He was a featured poet in That Gray Zine: San Antonio's Collective Carefest. He has been published in multiple literary magazines including Crepe & Penn (Now known as C&P Quarterly), Scum Gentry Alternative Arts, Beyond The Veil, From Whisper To Roars, Royal Rose, etc. Notable works include "You Both Need To Leave Right now!", "The Energy Of A Stone" and "Samson".

He dreams of a story worth telling. On his off time he enjoys a good cup of coffee from one of the many local spots in San Antonio. With his compelling handle on the flash fiction genre, Jonathan will maintain a gripping monthly column in PEPPER Magazine.

writer & photojournalist. —

Jakob Rau

Jakob Rau is a literary columnist & photojournalist for PEPPER Magazine. As an academic, Jakob plans to pursue writing full time as a career post graduation. In the meantime, he remains open to hire as a writer, biography author, ghostwriter among other things, here in San Antonio and remotely, internationally.

Jakob prefers the nostalgia of his retro typewriter and analog journaling by hand.

fine artist & storyteller. —

Tennyson Corley

Meet the author and fine art illustrator who is reinventing the old comic strip via a completely innovative approach to short form periodical storytelling in PEPPER Magazine!

Tennyson Corley is a sculptor, or as she calls it, ceramic illustrator residing in Columbia, South Carolina. Her practice explores the use of earthen clay as an illustrative tool to create creatures with
carefully crafted backstories. Each a mixture of Beatrice Potter illustrations and an Orwellian Animal Farm character.

Tennyson was raised by her mother, an illustrator, in the heart of South Carolina on a large horse stable. With her formative years spent in her own mother's studio, Tennyson was encouraged creatively and gained a lasting love for art. Today, as a proud mother, she encourages her own child’s art journey.

“My childhood has led me to my current body of work. I am the product of an illustrator who chose books based on the beauty of the illustrations. I have continued this collection. Referencing characters and ideas for my own work.

I grew up surrounded by animals on our farm. Studying them, the ways animals interact and coexsist among each other, how species intermingled, the hierarchies that arose. I gave them personalities in my mind. Constructing back stories and human characteristics for each one.

Fast forward to 2018, when I took my first pottery class which landed me with a membership at a pottery studio. I began to find what my artistic practice was craving. It took me back to my childhood, constructing animals out of playdoh and drying them on my shelf. In a full circle moment, I combined my love for childrens book illustrations, building back stories for the creatures around me, and moving from playdoh to clay to create, what I call, my ceramic illustrations.

Each sculpture is a mix of Beatrice Potter and an Orwellian Animal Farm character. Conceptualized in my mind, where I work
out their features, back stories, faults, and qualities. Then, through my hands, they are birthed into life through earthen clay, underglazes, and the fire of the kiln.”

—And you privileged readers will get to know them one by one via her monthly column in our kids and youth section. “In talking with PEPPER Magazine, I felt rooted in my practice again. It brought about a connection that led to a new opportunity. Something I wanted but didn't feel like it was for this path that I was on. The one of a small scale sculpture artist from Columbia, South Carolina.

I will be an Arts Contributor going forward with my own work. One ceramic illustration will be featured in each issue along with its story. Something like that of an evolved comic strip. And I like that. It feels fantastic. I love this weird little life full of ups and downs, bumps and highs. Chance connections and opportunities. Weird little pathways carved out like water from a spilled cup.”

We are honored to have Tennyson’s whimsical characters come to life and play on our stage here. It is our truest hope that they come to be a thing everyone looks forward to, and that they stay with you like strange little old friends.

writer & illustrator. —

Bryan Powell

A storyteller by design, writing since childhood and taking an interest in film, live performance, and the art of connecting people together; I have in recent years pivoted to social media management roles, marketing, and storytelling both in my career and my personal time. "Created to create" and "aspire to inspire" are my personal mottos and I love sharing my truth through my art, music, film, and writing.

A veteran of standup comedy for 10+ years and a jack of all trades, Bryan has made waves in the local scene in many ways. He is currently working on his first art exhibition (multimedia, paint, collage), and a few screenplays. He is excited for 2024 and writing about himself in the third and first person.

You can see my award winning short films and a recording of my live play "Divorciversary" (which ran at Alamo City Studios in November of 2021) on my You Tube channel at /YourelnvitedTV, and can find me on social media @TheBryanPowell .

He lives in San Antonio Texas with his girlfriend and their four cats. He has back pain and an overactive imagination.

journalist & essayist. —

Robert Dean

Robert Dean is a journalist, raconteur, and ‘enlightened dumbass’.

His work has been featured in places like MIC, Eater, Fatherly, Yahoo, Austin American-Statesman, Consequence of Sound, Ozy, USA Today, to name a few. He’s appeared on CNN and NPR. He also serves as features writer for Hussy Magazine and is editor in chief for Big Laugh Comedy, Texas’ biggest comedy production company. He lives in Austin and loves ice cream and koalas.

photojournalist & conceptual artist. —

Sinenkosi Msomi

Sinenkosi Msomi is an exceptional photographer born in Eswatini and currently residing in Mbabane, Mpolonjeni. His work consists of staged and conceptual photography. The themes contained in his work include addressing mental health issues, the importance of self-expressions and exploring the significance of one's childhood memories.

His upbringing plays a major role in how his work eventually plays out. He recollects the different
sides of growing up in an African extended family and how that helped shape him. His pictures help him talk about things that he sometimes finds no words to fully express.

Msomi is an incredible asset to PEPPER Magazine and will continue to work remotely, bringing impactful documentary through the personal and unique storytelling of his imagery.

photojournalist & conceptual artist. —

Seigar

Seigar is a passionate travel, street, social-documentary, conceptual, and pop visual artist based in Tenerife, Spain. He feels obsessed with the pop culture that he shows in his works. He has explored photography, video art, writing, and collage. He writes for some media. His main inspirations are traveling and people. Seigar’s aim as an artist is to tell tales with his camera, creating a continuous storyline from his trips and encounters. He is a philologist and works as a secondary
school teacher. He is a self-taught visual artist, though he has done a two years course in advanced photography and one in cinema and television.

He has participated in several international exhibitions, festivals, and cultural events. His works have been featured in numerous publications worldwide. His latest interests are documenting identity and spreading the message of the Latin phrase: Carpe Diem. Recently, he received the Rafael Ramos García International Photography Award. He shares art and culture in his blog: Pop Sonality.

Currently, Seigar is our travel columnist, heading out the section with his “Tales of” series. We look forward to learning about the world around us through his skillful and artful lens.

photojournalist, conceptual artist & liaison. —

John Hendrick

Born in the Bronx, New York, and raised in Queens.

John’s artistic upbringing and his path to photography began shortly after his parent's separation when he was seven years old. He initially lived with his father, who would provide the foundation for his artistic eye, having John learn to play the piano, draw, and paint to stay off the streets. He would then go on to live with his mother, where he would spend much of his youth raised by his mother, a single mom of two. His mother worked nights, and his brother, who was four years older, was never home, leading John to become accustomed to independence. John grew up skateboarding in the mid-’80s and into the late ’90s when NYC was the melting pot of pop culture. Without knowing it, this would start his photographic journey, always carrying a camera and taking pictures of his friends. He worked as a messenger, becoming familiar with every inch of the city. Soon after, he would work at the Metropolitan Museum of Art, expanding his artistic vocabulary surrounded by the works of all the greats.

For the past 23 years, John has traveled worldwide and lived abroad in countries such as Italy, Spain, and Japan; each location is inspiring and influences his point of view. Currently, he lives in San Antonio, where he teaches photography at the Southwest School of Art. After all these years of traveling and photographing the world, he has found his artistic voice and this creative vision, feeding off of the Bauhaus movement working in color and abstract compositions, making his name as one of the up-and-coming street photographers working in color; if you look hard enough, you can find hints of being raised by a single mom, his independence, and gestures of kindness.

photojournalist. —

Chaz Niell

Based in Washington DC, Chaz is an award-winning photographer, with over 15 years of experience telling stories through his art to capture the emotion of every subject whether in sports, fashion, entertainment, or social consciousness.

Chaz has long been a fan of the visual arts and his passion led him to attend the Art Institute of Pittsburgh where he was able to explore all facets of the industry and discover his deep passion for photography.

Chaz shares the philosophy of the great Nina Simone “as an artist it’s his duty to reflect the times in which he finds himself.” “How can I be an artist and not reflect the times”?

Chaz’s work has been featured in highly acclaimed periodicals and publications, such as Sports Illustrated, Rolling Stones, The Wall Street Journal, Vanity Fair, The New Yorker, Forbes, and Paris Match just to name a few. In addition, footwear manufacturer Nike in 2019 displayed his awe-inspiring photo of tennis champion Rafael Nadal on their New York City digital broad at 34th & 7th Ave. one block from Madison Square Garden.

Chaz has also been commissioned to shoot the David Ortiz Celebrity Golf Classic, Hampton International Film Festival, New Balance, Art and Commerce, and British fashion retailer, AllSaints. His photographs also appear in Leica Fotografie International (LFI) galleries. He is an official Getty Images contributor.

Chaz’s love for fashion and the creative philosophy “ Dress every day like you’re going to Jimi Hendrix’s funeral“ gives him the freedom to express the many sides of the Gemini that resides in him.

photojournalist & writer. —

Eric Konohia

Eric Konohia is a native Hawaiian photographer based in Washington, D.C. His interest in photography started at an early age watching his father capturing family moments and placing all of the photos in albums. He remembers knowing what album had which photos in them if he needed to recall a certain moment in time. More specifically he still remembers how looking at each photo gave him a specific feeling and took him back to the exact time and place it was taken.

When Eric entered high school in the 70’s he registered for the photography class as an elective and received his very first camera from his father. It was a Leica M2 35mm film camera, which he still has today. He instantly fell in love with the analog process of shooting, developing and printing his work. His analog beginnings are the foundation of how he approaches photography today. He is considered “Old School” by many but the word “purist” probably better fits his philosophy, style and approach.

His primary love is black & white and primarily shoots with natural light. Eric is unashamed of his choice of cameras and the purist in him will readily tell you, “Don’t waste your money on any camera if you’re going to shoot – AUTO”.

Eric’s work has been published in several print and digital media and several of his photographs have been selected as “Master Shots” by Leica Fotographie International. He is also published writer and the co-author of an Amazon Best Seller, “Securing the Sacred, Making your House of Worship a Safer Place”

Eric’s philosophy of photography is simple:
“Life is a constant geometric intersection of Souls on this broad platform of life and creation. The Art of Photography allows us to capture a specific moment of the Creator at work that would be otherwise fleeting.”

photojournalist. —

Corey Davenport

A Texas native, with a curiosity of the human experience.

“Having always been fascinated by the psychology/sociology of people, while also lacking the ability to focus my interests, and thoughts into words, I knew at a young age that photography was my outlet to show the world what I see. With inspiration from some of the classic greats like Elliot Erwitt, Gary Winogrand, Henri Cartier-Bresson, and Weegee, my passion for street photography/photojournalism will continue to be the driving force behind what I do with a camera.

Living in Austin, TX for the majority of my life, has also given me the best environment to mix my love of music, and photography into something that I have excitedly worked on for the last 13+ years. Whether it be going to local venues, traveling for festivals, or touring with bands on and off over the years. My opportunity to capture the raw emotion of the artists is an experience that will never cease to fill me with joy.

With more doors opening, I plan to continue learning about, and expanding my craft, while striving for more new experiences throughout my ever growing life as a photographer.”

Corey will be covering various leads and events for PEPPER in Austin and surrounding areas. He’s also working on showcasing some intense and striking documentary imagery from his archives over time.

photojournalist. —

Devin De Leon

Devin De Leon is an Internationally Published photographer from San Antonio, Texas. He earned his Bachelor's of Fine Art's degree at the University of Texas at San Antonio. While there, he majored in English Literature, with a focus on post WWI & WWIl literature, which featured authors such as: Ernest Hemingway, F. Scott Fitzgerald, Albert Camus, & Allen Ginsberg. Along with his studies at UTSA, Devin was a Staff Writer & Photographer for the school's newspaper: The Paisano. During his time at The Paisano he discovered that his passion for photography was greater than anything else.

Prior to photography, Devin spent 10 years performing music from the age of 15 to 25 before focusing on his studies. As a musician, Devin toured around the country, performed at Official South by Southwest Showcases and recorded at a major recording studio called Sonic Ranch. Music was Devin's first passion in life, but needed a break from music after 10 years and experiencing burnout from performing music for so long with no breaks. Although, after what amounts to an 8 year hiatus, Devin is back in the laboratory working hard on music again with his new project titled Yadah, pronounced like "yada yada yada..." with his significant other - Terrie Torres.

Since Graduating college, and becoming a full-time photographer, Devin has gone on to be published in Wire Magazine (UK), The Chicago Reader, New Music Circle, The San Antonio Express News, & The San Antonio Current. Devin specializes in studio photography, but loves the heartbeat of the streets and works weekly on his ongoing project titled Portraits of Strangers. For his studio work, Devin has operated out of The Parish from 2020-2023 & is moving over to the Artist's Collective studio in 2024 located in Alamo Heights.

It's Devin's belief that all art is a form of storytelling, which is why Devin's primary focus is on portraiture. He believes in capturing the human condition & telling the stories of all. With Devin's diverse history in music, literature, and photography, he believes that he's able to combine all to create a unique work of art every time he presses down on that shutter button, strums a chord on the guitar, or sings into that microphone.

photojournalist, documentarian & correspondent. —

Simenzelweyinkosi Vilane

Simenzelweyinkosi Vilane was born and raised in Mafutseni, a community nestled in the outskirts of the city of Manzini in the Kingdom of Eswatini.

“Smash”, as he is affectionately known by his friends and PEPPER team, is a 23 year-old visual artist, photographer and writer who sees himself as a visual documenter. It was the memory of his late mother, Sarah, that sparked his interest in photography at a young age. As a boy, he would gaze at the photographs of his mother adorning the walls of their home and photo albums, a collection carefully preserved by his family at the time.

After completing high school at 17, he explored photography by capturing images of roses, flowers, and silhouettes, using basic filters to enhance his photos. After becoming inspired by a newspaper article about a successful local photographer who was making waves in the neighbouring South Africa, he reached out requesting guidance in the field of photography. The photographer, Mongezi Mkhabela, graciously accepted and mentored Vilane, allowing him to experiment with a professional camera for the first time (a Canon Mark V) and ultimately selling him his first DSLR camera. Simenzelweyinkosi spent the following years honing his skills and developing his unique style, driven by a clear vision of his future in the photography world.

Vilane is a visionary artist and activist driven by a passion for promoting humanity, love, and peace. Rejecting traditional norms based on cultural, racial, political, economic, and religious divides. He says he envisions a world of unity and compassion. He carries on the vision of many trailblazers through their art, activism, and dedication to advocating for change forged decades ago. He says he strives to inspire others and catalyze meaningful transformation towards a more harmonious and inclusive future.

photographer. —

Mandy Kadura

Hi, my name is Mandy Rose.

Im a wife, mother, and entrepreneur—I own Infinite Photography SA. I believe in the power of art and media.
“Art is chaos taking shape”
—Pablo Picasso

My photography is an expression of who I am and what I stand for : love, life, and creativity.
I’ve been a photographer for 10 years. Five years into the art, I created my business Infinite photography SA. After that, I never stopped my momentum. I now own 2 businesses and have become the entrepreneur I always wanted to be [with Dropyourlashes being my second business].

I have worked with many families along my career and recently broke my way into the fashion industry. It’s exciting to have an outlet to create more art. To me, being able to be a part of PEPPER Magazine—a world wide publication—is an honor and I am so excited to provide quality images for a magazine that I myself have supported and continue to read and follow.

photojournalist. —

Sefra Schwab

Sefra is a photographer and writer who uses her unique perspective and understanding of the world to create photos with depth, texture, and rich emotion. Always a lover of words, she was first published in an international children's magazine at age 10 and has continued writing poetry and prose with plans to publish a collection in the coming years.

Sefra was diagnosed with autism as an adult, which has helped her to reshape how she views herself as a person in all her roles - as a wife, mother, and artist - and the world around her. A life-long lover of animals (especially horses), Jesus and her family, she is focusing more now on expanding her photography experience (offering branding and outdoor boudoir photography) and on her writing for PEPPER after spending most of her life training horses, working in the veterinary industry, and being a mother (recently married and having added a 2nd child to her little family).

production team / hair stylist & extensions. —

Terry Loredo

“Helping clients to have beautiful hair is my passion.  With over 20 years of salon experience, I know what it takes to help you find the perfect style, color, cut and Halo extensions to fit your lifestyle.   

After much HaloCouture training, I've become an expert in customizing these 100% Real Human Hair pieces to enhance your look.  Whether it be for a special occasion or a compliment to your everyday routine, you deserve the elegance and beauty of a HaloCouture.“

Residing and working in San Antonio, Texas, Terry has her own salon space where she sees clients for cuts, styling and color as well.
We are honored to have her as a key member in our PEPPER production team for all things hair.

production team / hmua. —

Crystel Cortez

Crystel Cortez is a fixture in the San Antonio hair and arts scene for almost two decades.  Well known for her collaborative work, she's now making a name for herself in the Bridal Industry as a bridal stylist.   
"I love helping Brides feel confident on their wedding day."

She graduated from Boss Beauty Academy in 2023 and is now paving her way as a makeup artist for everything from bridal to special occasions to film & television to runway & avant garde. Crystel is Head HMUA for Concrete Rose Talent Management and a strong supporter of the Texas beauty and fashion industry.

We are honored to have her as a key member in our PEPPER production team for hair and makeup.

networking liaison. —

Melanie Allison

“One day, I decided to take life by the (long)horns and got back to my roots by modeling and painting again. I wanted to break the fashion industry standards and stigmas by creating a need for a petite and classic model. I started working with local photographers in the Austin area, building a new portfolio. Soon I discovered independent magazines and learned how to submit my work. I was finally published and on the cover of a magazine for the first time in October 2016. Soon after that, I was signed with TL Modeling Agency in Houston, Texas.

But things don’t always go as planned. After enduring occasional rejection from magazine editors, I founded my own art & fashion magazine called Bevie in November 2016. My mission with Bevie was to showcase emerging, local and international talent such as artists, models, photographers, designers, and other creatives. By making a sophisticated publication more approachable, I was able to help my fellow colleagues get established or further along in their career. After two years of publishing my bimonthly mag, I decided to go back to work full-time and the last issue was released in December 2018. Bevie still has quite the following today!

Today, I am now focused on creating mixed media art, establishing my networking event, turned group called Girl Flock Party, and becoming a part of the local artist community. It has been an amazing journey and I am grateful for every experience along the way!”

Melanie is a great asset to the PEPPER team and provides valuable guidance, lead finding and creative / marketing advice from her home base in the Georgetown / Austin area.

sponsor. —

The Ultimate Wedding Experience

PEPPER Magazine is a proud sponsor of The Ultimate Wedding Experience.

Founded by Larissa Leath, The Ultimate Wedding Experience is a specialty wedding show that provides a personalized experience to clients and vendors alike. Instead of walking through an overwhelming maze of vendor booths, experience a wedding like it’s your special day!

contributors. —

Interested in becoming one of our staff contributors?

PEPPER Magazine is an INCLUSIVE global publication based in San Antonio, Texas.
Our staff is currently based all over the USA / UK / AFRICA…and you too can work with PEPPER, remotely from anywhere!

Have a unique skill in the following areas and want to join our team?

• photography / photojournalism / conceptual photography

• writing / journalism / short story fiction or nonfiction / essayists

• marketing / assisting / strategist / liaison

• creative direction / layout formatting / creative department