Meet Joseph Moreno of JMoreno Studio in West Hollywood

Today we’d like to introduce you to Joseph Moreno.

Thanks for sharing your story with us Joseph. So, let’s start at the beginning and we can move on from there.
Almost a year ago I was asked by my first photo instructor, “What is the purpose of photography?” My immediate thought was “to tell a story”. I had no idea how deeply that response would be rooted in my work. By the terms’ end I began to ask myself if photos cancommunicate stories, what stories can I tell? What stories are mine to tell? Unearthing this has been nothing short of magic.

In broad strokes, I want each frame I create to take the viewer from the logical and common world they inhabit and place them in one that is more vivid, more alive. My hope is that the individual taking in my work can suspend the way they see the world and question their understanding of it, wonder about the possibility of another perspective; one that understands gender in blurred ways, embraces it, and simultaneously feels shame about it, or the specific, pivotal, and universal experiences of a gay man, or the overwhelming despair of the person tossed around by the merciless master of addiction.

There is a particular quality to my work: subjects, often male, are in a dialogue with the space they inhabit. I want the viewer to forget, even if it’s in the quickest moments, that they are looking at a photograph and step into a world that can be read and felt. What is art if not an opportunity to escape our own reality in exchange for the understanding of another. The core of my work is portraiture, capturing the emotion of an experience in life. The images I create are exactly that: created, staged, planned and produced. Yet these performative photographs convey some sort of dramatized emotion, emotion that it is impossible to communicate by way of semantics.

We’re always bombarded by how great it is to pursue your passion, etc – but we’ve spoken with enough people to know that it’s not always easy. Overall, would you say things have been easy for you?
The road as an adult and young adult has been many things, though none of it could ever be considered smooth or easy. Coming from a fractured home, trying to find my place in the gay community, and all of this peppered with substance abuse has created a great well of life experience. It’s also been confusing, frustrating and very painful.

The photographic road up to this point has been both exciting and challenging. To be completely frank, it’s been less than a year since I began taking photos. Within that short time, I’ve realized my work may have an audience and impact others. That’s a huge realization; to know my work is not only being recognized but resonating with people. It’s rewarding in a way that’s nearly indescribable. I NEVER considered myself an artist. However, when I really started to focus on taking photos with intention, I was surprised at some of the creativity and ability within me. Seeing that continues to propel me forward. I am continuously stunned when I look back at some of the images I’ve created. Over the last year, things have progressed sometimes quickly, sometimes slowly. I’m just grateful to keep moving forward; doing the work and stepping through the doorways that open.

So, as you know, we’re impressed with JMoreno Studio – tell our readers more, for example what you’re most proud of as a company and what sets you apart from others.
My company is still very young. That means this new endeavor will experience its share of growing pains. It also means I possess a tremendous amount of zeal for what I’m doing. I want to work on projects I believe in. I want to capture images that align with my vision of storytelling, are conventional & obscure images of beauty.

So, what’s next? Any big plans?
In the next few months I’ll be spending more time in the studio, working with traditional lighting and experimenting with lots of color. I’m excited to work on a few concepts I’ve been hammering out in my head. I’ll be working with one of my mentors to further define my point of view. She also wants to see what I can do outside the scope of work I’m comfortable with. I want to broaden myself as an artist. It’s vital for me to continue the dialogue I’ve begun; continue sharing my experience.

I’m looking for an agency to help manage my work. My pieces have been selected for gallery shows and been featured in online magazines. I want my work to continue to reach people.

Contact Info:

• Email: [email protected]
• Instagram: JMoreno_Studio

Image Credit:
Joseph Moreno

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