We were lucky to catch up with Reno Rodriguez recently and have shared our conversation below.
Reno, appreciate you joining us today. What do you think it takes to be successful?
Being successful as a photographer is about composing with intentionality. The photos I take at parties, as DJs shake rooms, purposefully illustrate raw forms of emotion. They tell stories about how music and interaction create feelings. When I shoot I aim to be omnipresent so that each frame feels like an open door into presence. People can value my photos for the aesthetic of the film, however for me, the value is less in the medium and more in the authenticity of the moment. I like to make photos feel like invitations. One of my favorite clients told me that I was hired because of how well I captured candid moments. When I was offered the gig, “candid moments only” was the directive. To me, that was formative in how I understood my own success.
Great, appreciate you sharing that with us. Before we ask you to share more of your insights, can you take a moment to introduce yourself and how you got to where you are today to our readers.
Yes, hello readers, my name is Reno Rodriguez aka Calishoots, and photography has always been a magnetic force in my life. As a kid, I would buy as many vintage cameras from the swap meet as I could hold. I would flip through magazines like LIFE, TIME, and National Geographic and imagine what it was like to be the one to create iconic photographs. I remember even wanting to be the man perched in the mountain, waiting days on assignment to capture the elusive snow leopard, like in the movie The Secret Life of Walter Mitty. Fast forward to the present day and I’ve found myself photographing everything from exclusive Hollywood parties and music recording sessions, to concerts and brand activations. Los Angeles continues to be the ultimate playground for photography. Sometimes it feels as if I see the world through compositions. I study those that came before me and celebrate the portfolios from photographers whose images are like mentors to me. I’m most proud when I observe someone really see themselves in a photo I’ve taken of them. I love to embrace texture, imperfection and the concept of freezing light in time. My favorite moments to capture are when people are dancing or when a subject looks through the lens at me, creating a image that feels as lived-in as it is composed.
What do you think helped you build your reputation within your market?
Instagram has definitely played a key role in building my reputation in Los Angeles and Hollywood. However, social media is mainly a junk drawer for my portfolio and a vehicle for distribution, not something I’ve leveraged like many other photographers and/or entrepreneurs. Beyond the digital world, word of mouth continues to drive my local reputation. Actively shooting, I’m talking about almost daily, has organically put me in positions I would have otherwise dreamed about. In many cases, you come across interesting people, who may just be the one to refer you to your next client.
Do you think there is something that non-creatives might struggle to understand about your journey as a creative? Maybe you can shed some light?
My journey as a creative evolved into an outlet rather than a career. As someone who has several career focus areas, I find that a creative outlet is absolutely necessary. What started as a hobby, became that creative outlet for me. Creative outlets are freeing. There are two reasons I shoot film photos: 1) the way film produces images feels timeless and 2) I don’t expect to automatically verify a composition and I’m not hoping to take 10 images of one moment. Film trains my craft, freeing me from the stress of perfection. For that reason, photography as an outlet is quite peaceful. The gift is becoming a better photographer with each passing year. And the pleasant surprises are when your training days produce art that people celebrate, request and respect.
Contact Info:
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/calishoots/?hl=en
Image Credits
Reno Rodriguez