Today we’d like to introduce you to Raul Moreno.
Hi Raul, can you start by introducing yourself? We’d love to learn more about how you got to where you are today?
I was born October 24th, 1999. I am a photographer and visual artist from Modesto, California. My work can be described as surreal world created by combining different photographs. I work on both personal and commissioned projects with clients at a local and international level. I also offer traditional photography and complex editing services, I capture moments and ideas with the help of my camera and imagination. The focus is telling a story and the goal is to make it memorable. In the end, it all comes down to problem-solving, finding a way to capture the moment forever. I am as much an editor as a photographer which enables me to create anything that you can imagine. My dream is to create a successful business using my talent. I have this enormous passion for editing in general, over the years I been working on my passion trying to master the basic and the dilemma’s that come with it. I’ve done several projects, logos, videos, designs and photoshoots for small local businesses and for entertainment. My family has encouraged me to continue with my passion, I decided that I want to pursue my passion along with establishing a film production company such as Universal Studios, Lucas Films, Sony Pictures, and Dream Works Studios.
I’m sure you wouldn’t say it’s been obstacle free, but so far would you say the journey have been a fairly smooth road?
I have struggled academically, mainly due to my health. I was born with a genetic condition called X-linked lymphoproliferative disease, or (XLP2). I was diagnosed with XLP2 back in 2015 after being born with it. My immune system doesn’t function as it should. This is most common in males and only affects one in five million people. Symptoms of XLP2 include fevers, enlarged spleen, low platelets, low white blood cells, easy bleeding or bruising, spleen failures and low antibody levels. For these reasons, I been back and forth to the hospital still up to this day. From what I could remember, I’ve had 21 surgeries including 21 biopsies and over three hundred blood transfusions. The only cure for this disorder is getting antibodies every month. My learning disability is that I struggle to process information in the same way others do. My memory also requires that I have to learn something many different times and in many different ways in order for the information to stick. I also need to practice using the information or the new skills often until it fully embeds in my brain. Regardless, these hurdles I have faced can’t stop me from pursuing my dreams. My pride and ambitious attitude is way too big for having a weak mindset as it relates to dealing with my health and learning disability. Life doesn’t get easier; you just get stronger as you grow.
In the previous years of my life, I couldn’t comprehend why I was moved from a general to a remedial education class. I was only eight when this drastic change arrived, by this time I had lost hearing on my right ear, lost vision and my grandpa had passed away. I got bullied a lot by students and teachers, school for me was like living a nightmare when I was younger. My biological father was never around he was always working when my mom and him were together. Years later, he was incarcerated, this continued for a while. 2009 was when he moved to Mexico to get away, while he was down there he created a new family because both my parents got separated. I now have two brothers and two sisters all of different ages, 2017 my dad was released. I don’t spend much time with him because I’m not used to having him around or involved in my life. When I do spend time with him, it’s like meeting someone new. Nowadays, I understand why these things have happened, I realized everything happens for a reason or at least that’s what I tell myself. I live a comfortable lifestyle but I don’t want to live like this for the rest of my life. I was previously enrolled in Modesto Jr Collage to get all my general classes done and over with. But collage did not work out for me, I had plan on taking a few business classes at Modesto Jr Collage along with a cinematography film production class. It was my hope that I would then transfer to a University that has both subjects available on campus. I appreciate what I have and what I been through because you never know when the future can take it all away from you.
In 5 or 15 years from now, I see myself traveling the world introducing 24 productions as an established film production company internationally. 24 represents my date of birth October 24th, 24 has become my lucky number for many years and many different reasons. My communication skills are strong when one on one conversations and self-advocating, I struggle with talking to strangers. While my intentions are never to look away or be awkward, it often happens. I don’t like to talk much, I comprehend everything the person is saying. I’m currently working on my social skills by talking more to others. Social anxiety hits me hard when I’m trying to explain or express something but doesn’t come out the way I wanted to say it, sometimes I can’t find the right words to fit the message I’m trying to get across. Many people have gotten frustrated with me because some don’t understand my point or have no idea what I’m talking about, when I’m in situation like this I just let the conversation go and pretend like I’ve never spoken.
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?
My work can be described as surreal world created by combining different photographs. I work on both personal and commissioned projects with clients at a local and international level. I also offer traditional photography and complex editing services, I capture moments and ideas with the help of my camera and imagination. The focus is telling a story and the goal is to make it memorable. In the end, it all comes down to problem-solving, finding a way to capture the moment forever. It’s always important with a high level of realism in my work. I want the viewer to feel like they are part of the scene. Although my work consists of a lot of work in post-production and combining photographs, I always try to capture as much as possible in camera on location. It often means building props and using creative ways of planning the shoot. Light and perspective are crucial parts when combining images in a realistic way and if some parts are not possible to shoot on location, a similar scene has to be built up in a controlled environment. Having an understanding of every step from idea and planning, photography and post-production is very important to make everything come together seamlessly. Every photograph and part has its purpose. I do all the post-production myself to be in complete control of the end result. The idea, photography and post-production are all connected. The final image doesn’t become better than the photographs used to capture it. Just like the photographs doesn’t become stronger than the idea. There are no computer-generated -, illustrated- or second editor in my personal work, just complex combinations of photographs.
Alright so before we go can you talk to us a bit about how people can work with you, collaborate with you or support you?
People can find me on Facebook, Instagram, and google as Raulmoreno24. I also have a website if people would like to see my work or get more information at www.24productions.biz.
Pricing:
- Photo Restorations $50 per image
- Photo Manipulation starting price $50 can vary on complexity
- Event Photography $1,250 for 8 hours includes 50 photos additional hours $50 per hour. Portrait photography $85 per hour
Contact Info:
- Email: [email protected]
- Website: http://24productions.biz
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/raulmoreno24/?hl=en
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/raulmorrno24/
- Twitter: https://twitter.com/raulmoreno241?lang=en
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCtF8OPHO5tctbTtttsTNTsw
Image Credits:
Raul Moreno founder of 24 productions
