Meet Van Nuys Photographer: William Joseph Ramos

Today we’d like to introduce you to William Joseph Ramos.

William Joseph, please share your story with us. How did you get to where you are today?
I came into photography when my partner and I started a Men’s Magazine in 2008. From there I used a camera on and off and began consistently shooting in 2011 when I moved to the Los Angeles area. Glamour was my main focus initially and then I moved into weddings and then actor headshots. At the moment I’m building a portfolio of family portraits.

Has it been a smooth road?
The road is still bumpy and I’m still struggling along the way. I’m always learning and trying to build photography into a sustainable business while I work at breaking into acting. Currently, I had to move down back to Texas for a few months and save up to return to Los Angeles. Finding photography work in West Texas has been a challenge, and with so many people becoming photographers, the competition is greater than it was a few years back. However, there is a big difference between picture takers and photographers. I love photography and bring out the best in an image. My name is starting to get out there and I’m pretty happy with that.

Do you feel luck has played a role in your life?
Luck is like probability in a way. When I was young I left everything to luck, later on, I figured that depending on how much work you put toward something, the puzzle pieces come together and form what we call good luck or bad luck. In my worst situations, I would stop trying and let things fall apart which one could think as ongoing scenarios of bad luck. When I decided to put in an effort and think positive, things fell back into place and the idea of good luck played out. So I think in life everything do with luck is parallel to the work and outlook you put in.

Do you feel like there are certain traits that increase the likelihood of success?
Being a perfectionist and positive with people. Mostly I study study study to try and become the best that I can. I’ll take a picture or film a short and I’ll just keep looking at it over and over finding the errors and mistakes. I’ll compare it to top photographers or filmmakers. I beat myself to get the best image I can and never satisfied. Which never being satisfied I figure is what keeps you going in life and to keep growing.

Let’s touch on your thoughts about our city – what do you like the most and least?
Growing up in a small Texas town, I used to dream of becoming an actor and moving to Los Angeles. I used to see LA through the TV screen and couldn’t wait to escape my small home. It took me 12 years to finally move to the big city and I loved the energy, the feel of it. There’s just so much to do from hiking to walking at the beach or even movies theaters down the street, at least for me. I think most people just dislike the traffic or the long lines at stores. But I couldn’t see myself loving another city, even New York seems cold and gloomy, though I’ve never been there and I’m sure its nice during summer. Los Angeles for me just makes me feel alive and there is always something to do.

Pricing:

• Actor headshots 2 looks $150
• Family Session 1 hour $150
• Model Sessions 2 hours $200

Contact Info:

• Website: www.wjrparksphotography.com
• Phone: 806-752-0901
• Email: wjrparks@gmail.com
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/william.ramos.1004

Image Credit:
Actors (Lee Hill, Justin Mathew Dennis, Nasia Jansen)
Models (Charise Jenine, Ashley Domenici,Erica Hau)