Today we’d like to introduce you to Carlos Rodriguez.
Hi Carlos, so excited to have you on the platform. So before we get into questions about your work-life, maybe you can bring our readers up to speed on your story and how you got to where you are today?
So I went to my first concert back in Nov 2016. Couple of friends of mine went to show in New Orleans just to enjoy ourselves for the night. It was a DJ/producer duo named Louis the child. I saw their photographer running around and just taking their photos throughout the club and it just sorta hit me. He gets to travel and take photos of artists. I’ve wanted to be able to travel since I was a kid so I thought what better way to do it. I was hating school anyways so come February of the following year I dropped out and picked up a camera.
I had a mentor, whose like my big brother now, who just put a camera in my hands the first time we hung out. From there I would just to shoots with him and just shoot around my city in Gulfport with whoever wanted to really. Just getting my bearings and learning the basics of the craft. I went to a festival that following year and brought a camera with me in there and took some more from the crowd. I ran into the photographer that I saw running around that night in New Orleans and stopped him. I’ll never forget the surprise he had me recognizing who he was. It’s so sick we’re friends now and grateful we are. Well, I just continued taking photos throughout that weekend and in June I reached out to a promoter based in New Orleans. Just cold emails of just trying to get into the music industry aspect of things. Felt as if I was ready. I had plenty to learn still but what better way to do it then be in the setting.
Come October I had finally got an email back to come out and shoot a show for said promoters in NOLA. From then on I had been hired to shoot multiple shows for promotors, artists and some festivals even. Became the house photographer at the venue I ever first watched a show in even and I’ve even done a tour now. I’m now located in the bay area and traveling to and from LA.
We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
In the beginning, I’m 19 at the time and it was a lot of me watching other people through a screen wishing I was them and wondering why not me but I realized I didn’t know what it took for them to get there so I can’t do that. Put the phone down and go get to work. Sounds maybe a little corny but keeping your head down and just trying to kill whatever you do every time gets you far too. I mean look up every once in a while and check your surroundings. Mingle and make sure you make genuine connections but yeah.
You battle every day just trying to outdo something but in reality, I’ve learned just to make pieces for me. stop worrying about everything else going on and just truly focus on the now. Be present. one of the biggest things you can easily forget to do is be present.
Reminder to stop and make sure you’re grateful. Plenty of times in the beginning where I was definitely ungrateful not realizing I was so young getting opportunities that one time I never thought possible and maybe people my age even hoped they were getting. So when I realized that I had to show more gratitude and goes back to being present. Not worry so much about the future.
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?
I’m a visual artist. Photos, some video and in the process of learning Lighting Design and production assisting as well. I’ve toured in the US with an amazing artist named DROELOE. I’ve been posted on complex.
I’ve worked in the music industry as a photo/video guy for 6 years coming up on 7 now.
I’m most proud of sticking to something. Me picking up a camera was the first thing I never put down. Sports and other hobbies I never stuck to it. I hated it or just didn’t understand it maybe and would stop. When it came to photography, I never thought about quitting and if I did cross my mind id remind myself that this was the first thing I was really good at that I didn’t quit. Even my peers around me would remind me too.
I still think I’m trying to figure out what sets me apart. I think I’m personable maybe and you have to be in the industry. My buddy was otp and just reminded me you got to be a person someone wants to have a beer with after a gig (I don’t drink lol) and you’re somebody I can do that with. that it can be just more than the gig. Like yeah, you can do a good job but to not be personable can definitely set you apart.
So, before we go, how can our readers or others connect or collaborate with you? How can they support you?
Reach out. I’m a simple email away or Instagram dm. I want to shoot more models especially and just get into that realm of fashion photography as well. Exploring new mediums to just improve my skill and craft and continuously just be a sponge. Don’t forget to be a sponge to the good things.
Contact Info:
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ohsteezus/
