Today we’d like to introduce you to Renee Lopez.

Hi Renee, it’s an honor to have you on the platform. Thanks for taking the time to share your story with us – to start maybe you can share some of your backstory with our readers?
I first became interested in photography in 10th grade, back then we shot with film and got to develop it in a darkroom etc and I remember how cool it was to see the photos start developing. I looked at photography as a hobby until about 2014 after living out of the country in Mexico I came back with the motivation to take it more seriously. I was interested in shooting live music and, became involved with activism and the Black Lives Matter movement. I started documenting all the protest I was attending and realized I could use my camera as a tool to show what was happening to myself and folks around me. I am a self taught photographer, when I first started shooting live music I didn’t realize how hard it was to do! So I pushed myself to shoot all the time and shoot all my friends who were artists at the time. From there things just took off, I like to shoot everything and anything, but especially anything that pushes the culture forward, activism, Black Brown Indigenous owned businesses etc. Once I moved to Cali in 2019 one of my main goes was to become a Lowrider Photographer, I always liked to place myself in spaces that are more male dominated to show that women can do it too! Wanting to shoot Lowriders came from seeing them for my first time in Yakima, WA where I grew up, I also wanted to re connect with my culture and this was a special way for me to do it. I never knew what shooting Lowrider culture would bring me, I’ve been featured in Vice, Lowrider magazine and a photo I took of an all Women’s car club The Dueñas from San Jose will be going up in the Smithsonian in Washington D.C. for an exhibit on The history of Lowrider Culture. I always say I do it for the love of Mi Gente and my cultures! I wouldn’t be where I am today with out the huge support from my community, family and friends. For that I am forever grateful.

Can you talk to us a bit about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned along the way. Looking back would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?
I think any Artists will feel this, always ups and downs in your path, there have been times when I wanted to quit, times where I didn’t want to shoot at all. I’ve learned those are time to take a break, do a different form of art to re inspire myself. Photography is so expensive so there have been times where I didn’t have access to the equipment I wanted. I also know that you could have the most expensive camera and if you don’t have a natural eye and passion for what you’re shooting that the photos can lack soul. I’ve learned you gotta work with what you got! Make the best out of it as you can until you are able to upgrade to what you want! Does that mean if you have expensive equipment you don’t capture good stuff not at all! I just want to encourage folks who don’t have access to the “best” equipment to still go shoot your art. Your stories matter. Sharing other peoples stories through your eyes is important too.

As you know, we’re big fans of you and your work. For our readers who might not be as familiar what can you tell them about what you do?
I now specialize in Lowrider Photography but that took me a min to really figure that out. I don’t like boxing myself in but at the same time I’ve come to see that it’s really my lane. I love capturing it so much! The feedback I get the most is how kind, approachable, humble, and genuine, I am. How comfortable people feel when they shoot with me. Photography has brought so many amazing folks into my life and even if we only get to have a brief conversation I appreciate every I interaction I have with people. I love hearing peoples stories and just want to do them justice by telling their stories through my photos! I am most proud of curating an all women’s photography show recently in San Jose for photo night. My photos being featured in the first ever all women’s edition for Lowrider Magazine, getting my first full time Photography job and just highlighting Black and Brown women in general. My hope is you can see how much I love what I capture through photos.

Can you tell us more about what you were like growing up?
Growing up I loved being outside, I’ve always had multiple interest I am a Gemini so I can be all over the place. I could be shy at times, very artistic and left brained a day dreamer, always wanted to be helpful and give back. I always loved music, styling myself, and traveling to have different experiences, I love learning about different cultures and environments.

Contact Info:

• Instagram: @misslopezmedia

Image Credits
Top photo shot by Vinnie IG @vneeshoots <br>