For Los Angeles-based photographer Scout Pruski, documenting the annual Dyke Day LA is a way to honor and give back to the city’s legacy queer community and activism. While decompressing from the 2025 celebration, Pruski revisits images from 2024: a collection of vivid, emotionally rich portraits captured using the documentarian’s favorite Zeiss Batis lenses on the Sony Alpha 7C II. Pruski relies on the unobtrusive and reliable performance of their camera package to help archive the community’s spirit and creativity.
“Dyke Day is this massive, wonderful event– it’s one of the biggest lesbian-centered community days of the year,” Pruski says. “It’s intergenerational, grassroots, and full of community care.” Held annually in Sycamore Grove Park, Dyke Day LA draws thousands for a quietly radical day of connection, performance, and pride. Food, music, and art is on display, a fierce show of solidarity and care that has endured almost two decades. Pruski worked solo, aiming to capture both large-scale energy and private, human moments in the crowd. “I’m looking for that second when someone feels fully alive,” says the photographer. “When I find it, I want to be ready.”
For Pruski, Zeiss Batis primes are an essential part of this nimble, in the moment photographic approach. Documenting the community means being prepared for any lighting scenario, be it indoor or outdoor, from packed dance floors to intimate backrooms. “Fast autofocus, reliable performance in low light, a wide angle that doesn’t distort too much—these were all critical for working in an unpredictable, fast-moving environment like Dyke Day,” describes Pruski.
Featuring a lightweight design, the f2/25mm and f1.8/85mm Batis lenses feature autofocus along with exceptional sharpness and color rendering. Working in bright sun and under heat lamps after dark, Pruski relied on the 25mm Batis for wide, intimate context and plans to add the 85mm for future portraits. “These lenses don’t just perform technically—they keep me connected to the energy of the moment.” That energy is tangible in Pruski’s photography.
One of Pruski’s favorite images captures a drag performer from the LA Sisters of Perpetual Indulgence, arms outstretched in a moment of powerful presence. Another captures a woman mid-action, helmet held aloft, hair whipping in the air just as the crowd begins to cheer. “Alexis [the subject] told me it was one of her favorite photos ever taken of her—even though you can’t see her face. That one really hit home.”
This year’s event offered a chance to hone in on the highlights unique to Dyke Day, from more of an insider than observer perspective. “I focused more on covering the performances and–‘teach-ins’ this time. Having a rapport with the organizers and performers let me relax and immerse myself more. It was awesome to find that when I would wave to the crowd from ‘side-stage’ to make my presence known, people would cheer and wave back.”
Pruski’s practice is rooted in consent. Control of representation is a sensitive area for the community and the photographer is especially cognizant that sometimes a person might have a desire for privacy especially in large public settings. At events, Pruski uses signage and clear one-on-one conversations to ensure subjects are comfortable being photographed. “It’s about honoring people in real time,” is Pruski’s answer. “Only then can I make sure the photo means something positive to them too.”
This doctrine of respect extends into Pruski’s role as an archivist whose images been included in the Carter Johnson Leather Library and the ONE Archives at USC. Pruski also prioritizes sharing files directly with performers and organizers for future use. “Some of these photos end up in portfolios, business promos, even family albums. I shoot stills because photos are the most reproducible across formats. Even if social media goes away some day, you can print photos or send them to archives. That way you can hold on to the lineage of the images and what they represent.”
Looking ahead, Pruski plans to focus more intentionally on portraiture—inviting subjects to respond to simple prompts and capture a slice of who they are. “Especially as our community is increasingly threatened, I want my work to say: I see you. I hope the world sees you. I hope your life ahead is wonderful.”
For Pruski, the ZEISS Batis lenses have helped make that vision possible. “They’ve let me create some of the strongest work I’ve ever done. They match my need for presence and precision, without compromising either. I’ll be using them again—no question.”
Read the full interview: https://lenspire.zeiss.com/photo/en/article/seeing-with-care-photographer-scout-pruski-captures-dyke-day-la-2024-2025-with-zeiss-batis-lenses/
View Scout’s work: scoutpruski.com
Explore CJLC: cjlcleather.com
