Meet Thomas Rivera | Creative Director, Photographer & Videographer

We had the good fortune of connecting with Thomas Rivera and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Thomas, what was your thought process behind starting your own business?
I created Quasar Studio as a concept.
I wanted to create an opportunity for myself to be involved in multiple forms of art and conceptualizing, and not be restricted to just photography.
I want to assist clients as much as possible without being restricted to any specific medium. Had i gone under “Visuals by Thomas,” I don’t think it would have the same impact as a “studio”.

Yes, I do photography and videography; however, if a client came to me with any graphic design needs, logo concepts, merch ideas, I would want to help with any creative direction possible. I have always been able to come up with ideas for other people or businesses. From logos to slogans to merch, I’d be able to help along the way. Whether it’s just a business starting out needing a full branding kit, to a small set of revisions for a logo or merchandise, I love every part of the process.

Another big reason for it is to put some money into the pockets of creatives. Although I can give creative direction and bring all visions to life, I am not an illustrator or graphic designer. I do have a network of creatives whom I give business to, who maybe don’t have time or references to get work commissioned.
When I first started out with photography, I did not have the confidence to approach the “end client” of what I was trying to do. I would always beat around the bush and hope for things to just fall into place.
With Quasar Studio, I want every creative I work with to eat at the table with me. Why compete when we can work together and take creative visions to the next level?

Let’s talk shop? Tell us more about your career, what can you share with our community?
What I’m most excited about is being able to bring a client’s vision to life. I want to take your vision as personally as you do, so we can be in unison throughout the entire process. Promotional video, photoshoot, logo design, or silly Instagram reels. I want clients to trust that I will meet or surpass their expectations.

It has not been easy to get where I am today professionally, but with the support I’ve had from friends & family, I’ve been able to get through the tough times. Referrals are a big part of this business. I want to be a person who supports other creatives with work & puts money in their pockets to drive their craft forward.

I’ve learned that being true to myself is the only way to do it. I do not sell out for something or someone whom I do not believe in. A big reason why I’m able to bring someone’s vision forward is that I connect with their passion. It’s not about a paycheck to me.

I love space and time. Quasar Studio was the perfect blend of Quasar Company, the company that manufactured the last camcorder my Father had, and the name, of course, being space-related.

“A Quasar is a very bright, active galactic nucleus powered by a supermassive black hole at the center of a galaxy. These objects are incredibly luminous, often outshining their entire host galaxy, and are found at vast distances from Earth, making them look like stars.”

When I first started Quasar Studio, I read that simplified definition of what a Quasar is. That is what I want this brand to be. I want to be powered by the ideas of my clients, who are at the center of their vision, and be able to bring their ideas to life, ultimately shining like a star.

Let’s say your best friend was visiting the area and you wanted to show them the best time ever. Where would you take them? Give us a little itinerary – say it was a week long trip, where would you eat, drink, visit, hang out, etc.
I don’t go out often, but if I do, it’s mainly in North County San Diego.
Majority of the places I would choose to go to have quality but also sentimental value to me. So if Joe was to be in town this is where I’d send him:

For morning coffees, that’s a no-brainer. Captain’s Grounds, a large hot vanilla powder latte (basic, I know)
I typically don’t eat breakfast, but if I did, I would go to Don’s Country Kitchen, The Original Pancake House, O’side Bakery, or Paul’s Place.

Lunch time, I’d let Paul’s Place hop on over here to this category as well, because of that bacon avocado cheeseburger they have. A couple hundred feet over, there’s Birria’s El Padrino. Go get some birria quesatacos and a Coke in a glass bottle.
Across Mission Ave, there is Killer Pizza from Mars (look for the Silver Bullets plaque from 1999 to see a young baller). Get the Marzgarita or the Killer Pizza from Mars.

Victoria’s Mexican Food, where I grew up getting some chips & guacamole and kicking ass on the Metal Slug arcade machine. A carne asada burrito from there never disappoints.

Wings n Things, the OG, a single meal strips hot with ranch can’t fail you.

If Joe wanted to go for a sandwich, I’d send him over to The Beach Hut Deli to get a Cali Caprese sandwich, or go get a torta from Colima’s Mexican Restaurant by the pier.
If you’re a little further inland, go to Enzo’s BBQ and get a Pulled Pork sandwich. I’ve been eating that pulled pork sandwich since 2013, back when Enzo was in the smaller location of that same Oceanside plaza. That sandwich will melt in your mouth.

I’d suggest, at some point, to hit up Maxdon’s to shoot some pool.

If my friends are in town, they better be ready to eat. So after lunch and some pool, or a walk on the strand, I’m sending them to SAME SAME in Carlsbad. The Banh Mi is easily the best happy hour item on ANY happy hour menu. Pair that with a Sioux City Old Fashioned, or a Singha thai lager, you won’t be let down. Tell ’em Dale sent you.
If you do have a Sioux City or Singha, and decide to stay longer, definitely eat more than just the Banh Mi. The New York Steak is delicious, and some marinated cucumbers or wonton samosas won’t let you down either.

If my friends are staying further in San Diego, I’d recommend Mnemonic Coffee, Provecho, Unico Coffee, and Friends of Friends.

If you’re into photography, hit up I’m Still Developing in National City for your film. They have a great turnaround time too in case you want to get your scans and negatives before you leave San Diego.

Lunch, go to Royal Mandarin for some salt & pepper wings. Eat like 100 of them for me, please.

Dinner, I’d tell Joe to hit up Books & Records, Sonny’s Pizza, or Din Tai Fung. If he’s craving Chinese food, I’d probably tell him to visit Fortunate Son.

For ice cream, I’d send him to Stella Jean’s or Jeni’s Splendid Ice Creams. My sister & I spend many ice cream dates there.
If Joe wants gelato, I repeat, gelato, I’d send him over to An’s Dry Cleaning.

You could hit up any beach and it’d probably be beautiful, especially if you don’t live out here.

Thursday’s in Oceanside, I’d recommend the Farmer’s Market, followed by the Sunset Market. Walk around, enjoy some beautiful weather, and delicious food.

Shoutout is all about shouting out others who you feel deserve additional recognition and exposure. Who would you like to shoutout?
There are many people along my creative journey who have had an impact on where or why I am in the position I am in right now.

To my Mother, I love you. Thank you for always supporting the vision I have so vividly seen for a while now. When I was dead broke, she encouraged me to never give up. She would tell me not to let something as “silly” as money keep me from what I’m passionate about doing. Thank you for allowing me to show you all of my drafts before I decide to send them to the client, and always being supportive even when I think my edits look like shit.

To my Father, who is no longer with us, thank you for handing a young Tommy disposable cameras at the end of every school year and taking me to get Thrifty’s ice cream when picking up our prints & negatives. I still have the Quasar Company camcorder you had for most of my childhood. Quasar Studio is for you.

To my Bruvs, thank you for not being too annoyed with me carrying around cameras or my laptop, trying to make something of this. I’ve missed many movie nights and dinners, yet you never stop encouraging me.

To my Dales, Shawn Seaman & Mike Mayaudon. Thank you guys for allowing me to take creative control and direction for you both. I’m glad this business venture has brought us into a friendship. I’m thankful to be your friend, family, and Tio Dale to your daughters.

Thank you to everyone else who has supported me with likes, shares, referrals, logo illustration, gear rentals, or beer. Can’t forget the beer.

Website: https://quasar-studios.com

Instagram: _Quasarstudio

Image Credits
Quasar Studio