Meet Jesus Lopez | Create Director

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

Hi Jesus, the decisions we make often shape our story in profound ways. What was one of the most difficult decisions you’ve had to make?
“I believe the hardest thing I had to let go of” is the idea that I’ll be happy and rich working a 9/5 and following the rules/ norms that every US Citizen must do to have that “American Dream“ life. I understood that chasing a creative career was a death sentence to my life, given that I lived in the lower income areas, and I’m Latino and the only boy in my family with two older sisters. It wasn’t looking too hot for me, but I had to follow a path and fast. Especially once leaving High school, it was the last thing that was free, and was mandatory for me to accomplish to have a “Good life”. Once making the decision and leaving those social norms behind I decided to go with my dreams. The first month was horrible, my family didn’t know what to do with me, I wasn’t happy and had no money in the back, and I had to pay off student loans for something I didn’t even know if it was my calling. But once surrendering those negative thoughts and still believing my “big break threw” was near, and that I was needed to be patient and keep on working hard… still nothing happened, but one person said “Hey I know your sister she said you do photography and I need new head shoots for my job”. Then another one said, “Hey, just saw the headshot you did for my friend can we do a photoshoot soon”. Then another one, and every week since then iv been blessed to do beautiful and un believable projects that I couldn’t imagine doing this early on my career, but Glory to God for these amazing people and all the opportunities Iv been receiving since then.

Alright, so let’s move onto what keeps you busy professionally?
My art is simply a love letter to all those photographers that didn’t even know we’re creating priceless works of art. To my mom taking disposables photos to all of out trips and event, and then looking threw them all once there developed in the kitchen and going back and remembering all the good times till this day. My Inspiration to my work is nostalgic, film style, and euphoric. I want my work to feel editorial and high quality like how film photos do, but take the opportunity to make a difference new atmospheric world that film photos haven’t gone to yet. My favorite photos and inspiration are my mother’s photos. She took many once living in New Port Beach as a teenager and was very proud of her progress in life. The only way I believe her was by looking at all her photos. And that’s what I want my photos to be with all my clients if they ever come back and work with me to see there evolution in there life and to see the evolution in my work. I want to give those opportunities to all those that are interested in working with me no matter the budget they have to offer I want to give the best quality of work I can to all types of dreamers. I believe I can make the vision come to life in the highest quality possible because at the end of the day sometimes all you need is a nice film camera and a dream. Everything looks better on film!

Any places to eat or things to do that you can share with our readers? If they have a friend visiting town, what are some spots they could take them to?
I love taking anyone who can to this bike trail through the neighborhoods. It starts on 48th street in E McDowell RD all the way to N Arcade Dr on E Camelback RD. It’s a great representation of the low and high class of Arizona. The best way to describe the feeling on this trail is like being invisible but you’re able to see everything at the same time. You can easily camouflage in this trail and the view or euphoria at the right time at 6:30pm in the spring time and 4:30pm in the winter time. I believe being here at the “First Friday” event is the best time to be in Arizona because of the community that shows up in one spot, and all the cultures coming together is one beautiful thing to see.

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?
The owner of “Illusion real beauty studio”
Her name is “Briana Sanavongxay”.

Website: https://logf44photography.myportfolio.com/book-me

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/logf44?igsh=MXR4MjV1c291bnU1bg==