Meet Nilo Juaneza | Photographer & Cinematographer

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

Hi Nilo, we’d love to hear more about how you thought about starting your own business?
My thought process behind starting a business was a really organic one. I loved taking photos and video and I just wanted to do it for my sanity’s sake. I didn’t think about money, I just wanted to create the best possible images that I could with what I had. One day someone offered to pay me for a workout video and that sort of got things going.

Let’s talk shop? Tell us more about your career, what can you share with our community?

I am a headshot and portrait photographer / cinematographer based in Los Angeles Ca. Everything started at the beginning of the pandemic. I’ve lived in LA for about 15 years , most of my experience prior to camera work has been with music and connecting talent with clients. At the start of 2020 , I partnered up with Cristhian Escolano, a Movie Director from Manila and now operating partner of Miracle Mile Entertainment Co. LLC. We had hopes of starting the company with him shooting while I searched for clients to provide content to. Unfortunately COVID had started a week after we had our first Feature film premiere and the world went into lockdown.

My dad, wanting decent photos of his granddaughter , sent over a little mirrorless camera for me to take photos with, slowly aroused my interest. One YouTube video about which lens was good for the camera and days of lockdown was all it took for my world to change.

A few months into tinkering around with the camera led to a friend needing workout videos, I volunteered to shoot, got it done and eventually  more people checked out my work.

The photography part started when I tried to take a photo of my wife and daughter. My wife being super honest, straight out said “Stick to video”. I took that personally and set out on a mission to prove her wrong. Apart from feeling like I needed to prove myself , I was obsessed with movie poster style photography. I loved how the lighting played and made me feel so inspired. I saw Michael Muller’s work and was hooked. I knew I wanted to do this type of photography one way or another and that got me going in portrait photography.

I don’t think getting into photography was hard for me, it was just a matter of time. Almost a decade of being around creative individuals and  being involved with multiple productions prior , I felt that I had been in this territory before. I really don’t think I chose this path, it chose me. It has been the most organic thing that has happened in my life. I can be myself. I pray before every shoot for God to use me and show what He wants the world to see. I pick up the camera and I get into a zone. No stress , just performance.

I didn’t think about money or how I could start a business. I thought of my sanity and what I needed the world to see. I just wanted to make the best images I could and keep getting better at it every second of every day. I don’t think I started late, I think everything came together now and made my start perfect.

The most important thing I’ve learned from all these years is to answer the “calling” in your heart. I’ve learned that following it can be scary sometimes but maybe it’s just us not believing enough in ourselves that we are all destined for greatness at some point.

We have to let go and just show the world what we can do.

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.

Oh man , so many places here in LA. You literally have everything here that’s why we’re all so spoiled. LA has so many different places to see, you’ve got the beaches , nightlife and so many restaurants! I’d probably just designate 2-3 days doing some kind of theme park, LOVE 6 flags!

DTLA has J-town and K-town isn’t too far ! Korean BBQ always hits the spot ! Shout out to Slurpin’ Ramen in K-town and Soowon Galbi ! Sometimes we love a good steak and for that I love going to Mastro’s or Prime Rib at Lawry’s . Fogo De Chao and Pampa’s at the grove are also great places for Brazilian bbq. If we’re in the mood for sushi , I love crazy rockin’ sushi in Weho which isn’t too far from where I live. I also love going to Paradise cove in Malibu! Love the scenery and the ambience out there!

Now for the bars… Sunset strip has a lot of spots that my friends and I used to frequent. We used to love going to the Rainbow ! Always a great spot for Pizza! Rock and Reilly’s is was a hangout spot we liked. The Burgundy room was a little hole in the wall place that we would start the night with. Surly Goat in Weho and yes , Brass Monkey Karaoke ! That’s home court right there! And house parties ! Who doesn’t like a good house party? The blind Dragon is another hidden spot that I like as well.

The Shoutout series is all about recognizing that our success and where we are in life is at least somewhat thanks to the efforts, support, mentorship, love and encouragement of others. So is there someone that you want to dedicate your shoutout to?

I don’t think I can ever just say thanks to one person. I’ve always had a group of deserving people behind my success. First and foremost I dedicate everything to God. Without faith and His grace I would not be where I am right now. I would also like to mention Rene and Nenet Juaneza, my siblings: JP and Melle .The Cabuguason family who have always been super supportive of me through my journey. My wife, Yulia who is the most amazing mother to our two kids and the woman who lets me just be myself. I love you.

Special mention to Jette Uy de Ong and the Uy de Ong family,  my best friend who has always made sure that I was on point with my personal and professional career. To The Seisa and Ugbebor families for mentoring me and showing me how to stand up , take charge of my life and pursue my dreams. Thank you for making me feel that I have a family here when mine is so far away.

Shout out to the Layson and Dormitorio families for helping me get my footing when I first moved to LA. My old roomie, Emman Montalvan who literally was my blueprint and constant guide in the path to working as a photographer in Los Angeles. I also want to give credit to Maria Gonzales and Charlie Midnight. Thank you so much for taking the time to sit with me when I was coming up and so new to everything.  Sister Didi and My 2000 hailmary’s prayer group, my heart goes out to you , without faith and prayer , I would not be here.

I would like to thank the friends who have become my work family: the Miracle Mile Entertainment group co-founder Cristhian Escolano, my agent and friends Olivia Wagner, Hayca , Jessica , Breanna and the Bunevacz family.

My Diwata komiks fam: Mark Nazal , Erica Juliet , Joe Arciaga and Dana De LaGarza.

My LA fam and closest mates to whom I have spent a great part of the last decade with : Toby Rand , Sebastian Gregory, Brett Thewlis, Bryce Soderberg, Aj Oliviera,  Clementine Heath, Tahnya Dunnstar, Aurea Morrisey and last but not the least , to the one who connected me with everyone, and my partner doing Dad things, Adelson Luna. I love you guys!

In a world full of superficiality, I thank you the most for being real friends which is priceless. God bless everyone!

Website: www.nilojuaneza.com

Instagram: @nilojuaneza @miraclemile_entertainment

Linkedin: Nilo Juaneza

Facebook: Nilo Juaneza

Image Credits
Dana De LaGarza , Olivia Wagner , Toby Rand , Sebastian Gregory , Keleigh Kremers , Erica Juliet , Sarah Armstrong, April Caputi