Jose Luis: A fit for a King

Could you please provide us with a professional introduction about yourself and your photography work?
I have been in the photography industry for a better part of 25 years off and on with a few breaks here and there. I have had multiple published work domestically and internationally. For editorial for a music magazine in italy to small local rising publishing in Seattle, and in the Phoenix area. I have used photography as a gateway into the music entertainment industry. I worked in night clubs, with music and tv celebrities that were up and coming. I helped manage and had creative direction in musicians careers.

I was the Director of Entertainment for Seattle Fashion Week from 2009-2011. In 2022, in Phoenix, AZ I created and directed my first creative Couture Fashion Show with beneficiaries of Free Arts For Abused Children of Arizona.

Can you tell us the story behind creating the photographs you submitted?
The story behind the submission is about a man that possesses strength of intelligence and character, and most of all his style. The suit changes him into a more damper gentleman. It’s about excellence brought to you by Malcolm Alexander Los Angeles. I also created a video expressing the vibe of the story.

Can you tell us about how you got started in photography?
I actually tried to start photography when I was in 8th grade. I took a 35mm film photography class. I enjoyed all the physical assignments but I didn't do so well when it came to taking the tests. So I flunked that class and was told by the teacher to find something else to do that I would most likely enjoy. I enjoyed photography and was happy with my results.
When I graduated high school, I joined the Army and right out of boot camp and in between boot camp and my training school; my dad and I walked through the mall in Lawton OK. I saw this beautiful camera booth in the middle and this guy looking over and talking to me about getting a camera. Next thing you know I walked away with a new 35mm Ricoh camera. I had no real idea what I was thinking or doing with it but I said why not.

My first sale was a year later at my duty station in Germany. One of my team members saw my photos of these ducks in the lake on my container in my room. He then asked if he could buy them and that was my first sale of 3 4x6’s of ducks.

What was your passion driving you during your journey? Who or what prompted you to begin?
Passion for photography started with my art class in high school. I loved drawing; love having and seeing different perspectives than everyone else. I think the creative side of me jumped out more often than anything and secondly the passion to help children with not the best circumstances in life.

My adopted father helped me push myself into the photography aspect by letting me try different creative opportunities. I tried sports and I was great at most of them but I did try. I would always go back to art. When I had my failure in jr. High school with photography class, I still felt the need to show people my perspective of life. The small little questions in life got the best of my curiosity for example; “Is the sky the same color?” or “Do you see the details in the door?” and the best one for me is “Does their expression seem different in the photo than in person?”. Perspective was my passion.

Could you walk us through your photoshoot planning process?
I like keeping it simple, it’s either I look for a model with an idea in my head or models connect with me with their ideas or we start talking about ideas. I ask them if there are ideas that they have seen or want to try. I'm not a big fan of faking settings, such as those selfie portrait studios. I either like a live background or a simple studio where you physically have to change the perspective. I feel as if the art comes more alive to me. I value it more. I believe the biggest part of the planning process is communication with the whole team.

As a photography expert, what sets your work apart from other photographers?
I honestly ask this question to myself and to my clients often. You know as an artist we are hard on ourselves. I would say that is definitely my weakest part of my photography aspect. I have seen so many amazing photographers and then to be told that my work is comparable and sometimes surpassing. It’s not something I think of or look at in the same way. I of course want to be a great photographer but i just have to keep setting myself up for success each step and with each creative project.

Where do you get your ideas for photoshoots?
I’m sure many photographers and creatives say this from other creatives and that is true. Sometimes I have dreams of my ideas, the angles, the positions. Oddly enough I’ve never dreamt of their facial expressions and features. I go online and just sometimes search a word and use that as my base then hit the image on search and go from there. Other times, I'll use experiences that I have had and make them a creative outcome. I feel my past has created a gateway for my creative side. Being adopted and abused, I feel that gives more room to express what's within.

Can you tell us about the most memorable moment you've had as a photographer and what experience you gained from that?
It may sound odd but memorable moments in photography were actually in the music business, when I worked with some amazing artists, managing my independent artist. I always used photography as “my foot in the door” approach to everything. It really helped me get meetings with so many people. What I gained was don’t let opportunities pass you just because you focus a skill in one area because you never know what other areas of your life you can gain skills.

Can you tell me about an upcoming project you're working on and the idea behind it?
Sure, I’m actually still working on one inspired by black and white photography. The idea is centered around Men’s Mental Health. I have been working on it for a year finding the moment to work on it. I feel as a man over 35 years old we grew up in different times. Different ways of handling our stresses and baring it on. Now with more and more men committing suicide and even close friends. I even had a hard spell of it a few years ago. I went to a dark place and while there I saw this pinhole of a light and focused on that.

When I got myself out of that darkness, I had created broken relationships with old friends and business partners. I also realized there are reasons for everything. It was a wake up call for myself. I wanted to create something that had personal meaning and something people would understand. I look forward to jumping back on the project soon and finishing it.

Where can we view more of your work and connect with you?
Instagram: @joseluis.pics
Facebook: @joseluis.pics
Website: @jose-luis

Photographer: Jose Luis @joseluis.pics

Fashion Designer: MalcolmAlexander LA

Model: Gary House @garysindahouse