After a long day at school and work, two artists prepare their apartment for an evening of fantasy and photography. The kitchen table is dressed with makeup brushes, foundation and a rainbow of colored MAC eyeshadow. The living room is transformed into a set with light illuminating from all angles. The camera is ready and waiting for a model to strike a pose that will produce a fierce and fabulous picture.

Ryan Bustos and Vincent Flores are the faces behind V&R House of Photography. They are partners in life and business, with a passion for photography, fashion and beauty. They run their company through their apartment in the Tenderloin District of San Francisco. Far above the chaos of broken down bars, screaming sirens and drug induced roamers, Bustos and Flores are busy designing sets, blending makeup and focusing cameras for their next photo shoot.

Bustos is a fashion marketing major at the Art Academy of San Francisco. At the young age of twenty, he has worked for cosmetic and beauty companies including Ulta, Bare Minerals and Benefit. He has also done the makeup for supermodels in Bay Area runway shows.

“I became interested in photography when I was in ninth grade,” Bustos says. “I decided I wanted to specify in fashion photography soon after I picked up a camera.”

Flores is a visual effects major at San Francisco’s Academy of Art He has been involved with professional photography for two and a half years, although he started directing photo shoots at the age of sixteen.

Bustos and Flores met over a year ago. They struck up a conversation because both were interested in photography.

“Ryan had a passion for doing makeup and I had a passion for taking photos; we just clicked,” says Flores.

Although the couple wanted to take their talent to a cohesive, professional level, the two had doubts. On the contrary, one of Bustos's professors at the Art Academy saw the rare talent these young men had.

Jill Siefert, Bustos’ professor, encouraged him to follow his aspirations of creating his own company. “I recognized Ryan’s talent right off the bat,” says Siefert. “Ryan was always willing to take things to the next level. He always gave 150 percent and was open to critique.”

Bustos was encouraged by Siefert’s support. “Jill was my main inspiration. She gave me the strength and confidence to work really hard in school and work with Vince on developing our own company,” he says.

Their passion and drive is beginning to pay off. V&R House of Photography has its own website that Bustos and Flores designed together. The site includes photos of models they have worked with in previous shoots.

“All of the pictures that are currently on the site were taken in our apartment,” says Bustos. “Vince and I have an idea for a shoot, the model shows up, I do the makeup, Vince designs the set and we start taking pictures,” he says.

Their services include modeling head shots, portraits, weddings, beauty shots and advertisements. Their work is becoming credible in San Francisco between models and socialites. Taylor Wiese, a fashion marketing major at San Francisco State University, is a high school friend of Bustos and wanted to take classy pictures of herself to give to her boyfriend for their two-year anniversary.

“Ryan has loved taking pictures and doing makeup from the first day I met him. I have seen him grow and seen his passion for photography and makeup flourish. Friend or not, I would not trust anyone else to take these pictures but Ryan and Vince,” says Wiese.

The House of Photography has not only developed a strong reputation with teachers and friends but with shop owners as well. Sonya Molodetskaya owns a boutique on the corner of Chestnut and Divisadero in San Francisco’s Marina District. Molodetskaya is a well known socialite and respected resident of the city, and a friend of Jill Siefert, Bustos' professor. “I was so impressed with their photos and professionalism,” says Molodetskaya of Flores and Bustos- so impressed that she requested prints of a few models the men have captured to hang on the walls in her store. Bustos and Flores were more than happy to hand over a half dozen framed shots of pieces they were most proud of.

“I never thought we would get this big,” gushed Flores. “At our age, no one takes you seriously, but Ryan and I are willing to work incredibly hard to change people's minds.”

If you are interested in V&R House of Photography email Bustos and Flores at vrhouseofphotography@gmail.com. You can also view their site at www.vrhouseofphotography.net.