Meet Luis Rodriguez | Photographer/Videographer

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

Hi Luis, why did you pursue a creative career?
I was originally in school for Computer Engineering and a minor in kinesiology. I thought that working in tech would be my calling, but I was wrong. I had several retail jobs and later a 9 to 5 job. In Maryland, I feel there’s a lack of any artistic drive. I feel after a year being stuck doing the same routine over and over was getting to repetitive. I was feeling miserable and lack of motivation. Wondering what is the next step. Feeling lost and not knowing what I wanted to do for the rest of my life. At the time, I was taking photos as a hobby. I had no intention in making it into a career. I wanted to do something different. Something that is a completely different spectrum of computer engineering. I felt like Photography and filmmaking was so captivating to me that I kept on shooting. Learning new tricks and trying to get friends to model for me just so I can have some practice under my belt. It took me a while to consider myself a photographer. I felt like I couldn’t call myself something that I wasn’t until I feel like I’ve proven myself enough to be called one.

Alright, so let’s move onto what keeps you busy professionally?
For every single photo or video I create, I like to find a mood/color scheme/theme to go with it. I want to be able for the person seeing my work to feel a certain way. Whether it’s dark and gloomy or vibrate and blissful; seeing things through my viewfinder and feeling like you can’t look away. I enjoy capturing Kodak moments. Moments that can’t be replicated. Those are the types of photos that I find to be the best. But it wasn’t easy for me to find my look. I feel like it took many years and tries to find the aesthetics that called to me. Also, I never took a lesson for photography. Everything that I know has been self taught. Working my way through many positions starting as a PA and still taking my camera everywhere. Asking producers or directors if I was ok to take photos for them. Always finding ways to incorporate my camera into the mix.

If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?
My favorite type of spots to visit are beaches. I dont have a specific beach that I like the most, but I enjoy escaping home and finding a new area that I havent been before. Taking my camera and seeing what is out there. Either I go by myself, with my girlfriend or friends. I enjoy the sound of waves crashing, wind blowing and sunsets. I love me a good sunset.

Who else deserves some credit and recognition?
I feel like I couldn’t be where I am now without the total support of my parents. Ever since I decided to no longer pursue computer engineering and change my career path into filmmaking and photography, they have been supporting my crazy dream 100% of the way. The support from my friends and siblings back home in Maryland. I feel like I have a huge pressure to make my dreams into reality because they have been supportive of my work. The support of my girlfriend, Felicia. Helping me model creative ideas I may have or being there for me when I have my creative breakdown. And finally, God. Living in Los Angeles isn’t easy and cheap. But what I can only describes as miracles, comes my way and blesses me with more work, connections, friends, and so much more.

Website: www.luisrod.me

Instagram: @luisrodphotography

Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/luis-rodriguez-a33388114

Twitter: @luisrodphotos

Image Credits
Felicia Ralph