Today we’d like to introduce you to Rene Jose Rodriguez Jr.
Rene Jose, thanks for sharing your story with us. To start, maybe you can tell our readers some of your backstory.
My name is Rene Jose Rodriguez. JR a.k.a. the Poet King. You might ask yourself why Poet King well it’s going to be hard for people to say “Netzahualcoyotl” The Aztec warrior Poet King. I started taking pictures since I was a teen in the graffiti scene. I started showcasing my work about two years ago on social media. I love taking pictures of lowriders, people in the community and the graffiti culture. I love being a photographer I do it for the culture of the art sometimes I’ll take a picture of a car with an angle that stands out with the sun and the sky in the background, and it looks amazing with the colors. I started using people as models as well as incorporating aesthetics of graffiti in the background which always seem to stand out in a picture. I know that I am not the best photographer in the world yet, but it seems that my pictures make waves and draws the attention of those who love my work. I have been blessed to be able to work with some big names in the industry and capture Moments in time for them. If you can’t tell by now as you see, I am a poet with my words. I’m a 47-year-old man that loves to share what I see from my lens. Many people have open doors and given me an opportunity to create art with my camera.
We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
Every day is a struggle but that’s the beauty of being an artist you get to create from the pain one might be going through and the suffering we often go through in life. As I said before there’s been many people that have given me an opportunity because they see my work and believe in me that’s the blessing, I have day today I don’t think in life there are any smooth roads, but all those bumps and potholes allow me to create what you see today. I often fight depression from my life’s experiences but when I pick up my camera and take pictures some of those moments help me clarify who I am today. I think the biggest struggle I have is being recognized for the work I’m doing because I’m not pushing myself to get out there more and showcase my work. I don’t do it because I can’t “I just don’t do it because I’m afraid of being rejected sometimes.” A lot of people tell me “Your work is great why don’t you show it to the world” sometimes I put myself down and because I’m my own worst critic It stops me from showing my work.
Thanks for sharing that. So, maybe next you can tell us a bit more about your work?
First and foremost, I am an artist I love to create art whether it’s using a pen a marker or a spray can I’m creating art when I picked up a camera for the first time and learn the ins and outs of it help me create a unique style my editing also is a part of that. I often say I specialize in guerrilla-style photography, where we would jump from location to location and take a shot, I usually take about 500 pictures in one photo shoot and only use about five pictures. I honestly can’t tell you what I’m most known for except for that I am a people person I take the time to listen to people trust people and believe in people. I’m most proud of the work that I do basically because I put a smile on somebody’s face, they might be going through trouble maybe pain or suffering of some sorts then when I give them that one picture that really stands out their smile is rewarding enough for me. When people ask me what sets me apart from other photographers, I often say I’m not competing with another photographer I’m just trying to give you something that most photographers won’t that’s the satisfaction of knowing that it’s about you in that picture I can care less about fame or fortune I do this for the love of art.
How do you think about happiness?
Just knowing that people see my work for what it is a piece of art. I don’t like to stereotype anyone I’m not in competition with anyone only myself, I often say I’m going to stay humble and hungry and create some masterpieces from the heart. It’s not easy talking about yourself but what I want most to be remembered for is putting a smile on somebody’s face and leaving my name so that my daughters and my grandson can be proud of who I am.
Pricing:
- Depending on the style of photography
- 375.00 for 2hr photoshoot
- $500 a day if I need to travel to another state
Contact Info:
- Website: https://rodriguezjrrene.wixsite.com/mysite
- Instagram: Officialpoetking_photography
