We caught up with the brilliant and insightful Victor Ponce a few weeks ago and have shared our conversation below.
Victor , appreciate you joining us today. Have you been able to earn a full-time living from your creative work? If so, can you walk us through your journey and how you made it happen? Was it like that from day one? If not, what were some of the major steps and milestones and do you think you could have sped up the process somehow knowing what you know now?
I’ve always been resilient in pursuing my dreams. It’s not easy to make a living in this industry, but it’s far from impossible. From day one, I looked for ways to earn an income while staying connected to the craft. I started in post-production, then transitioned to working on set as a camera assistant. Along the way, I had the opportunity to collaborate with many different DPs, learning from their processes, their mistakes, and their unique ways of working.
What truly accelerated my growth was studying cinematography abroad, it allowed me to learn from directors of photography with diverse backgrounds and perspectives.
Awesome – so before we get into the rest of our questions, can you briefly introduce yourself to our readers.
I’m Victor Ponce, a cinematographer from Monterrey, Mexico. I began working in the industry at a young age, starting as a camera assistant on commercials before moving on to shoot music videos, and short films as a director of photography.
I’m very mindful of production costs, which has made me skilled in planning and efficient in execution. I always look for ways to elevate camera movements to serve the story, creating a more immersive visual experience.
I take pride in making a living through my craft even during challenging times. No matter where I’ve been in the world, I’ve always found a way to keep working, growing, and surviving in this business.
Let’s talk about resilience next – do you have a story you can share with us?
When I moved to Los Angeles, it was right after COVID and just before the Hollywood strikes, a truly difficult moment for the industry. Despite the timing, I managed to stay active, taking on smaller projects and collaborating wherever I could. It was a real test of resilience and self-belief; there were moments when I questioned my path, but I’ve faced similar challenges before.
I had already lived through tough economic times in Madrid in 2011 and experienced the major strikes in São Paulo in 2013. Each of those moments taught me how to adapt and keep moving forward. This time, without a backup plan, I was fully committed, which pushed me to grow even more. I’m proud to say that I’ve built a life here and continue to move forward in Los Angeles.
Is there a particular goal or mission driving your creative journey?
I’ve always wanted to shoot a feature film, and I hope to do more projects on film stock. I love the texture, the discipline, and the sense of craft that shooting on film demands. There’s something special about blending that traditional medium with new technology, it keeps the process both challenging and exciting.
I’m eager to collaborate with emerging directors who bring fresh perspectives and bold ideas. Working with new voices always inspires me and pushes my own creative boundaries.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://victorponcedp.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/victorponce__/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/victorponcecine
- Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/victor-ponce-9b2864222
- Twitter: https://x.com/victorponce
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@victorponce7951
