Check Out Angel Jose Balcruz’s Story

Today we’d like to introduce you to Angel Jose Balcruz.

Hi Angel Jose, so excited to have you with us today. What can you tell us about your story?
Hi, my name is Angel Jose Balcruz, but everyone calls me Angel. I was born in the United States and raised in the Philippines for over 20 years. After spending most of my life there, I made the decision to move back to the US in search of greater opportunities and a new perspective in life.

I earned a Bachelor of Science in Information Technology and completed a two-year vocational program in Graphic Design. Early on, I worked extensively as a freelance graphic designer, and my last role back home was as a Senior High School professor teaching computer studies.

Currently, I work full-time for a large retail company, while continuing to take on photography projects on the side. I’ve always been involved in different forms of art—from music to design—but photography became especially meaningful after my dad gifted me a camera for my graduation. That’s when I really started taking it seriously.

I eventually gravitated toward street and portrait photography, and I’ve been practicing for about 11 years now. It was more on and off in the beginning, but after moving to the US, I became much more consistent, even throughout the pandemic. During that time, I also found a strong creative community here in Los Angeles, which has played a big role in my growth as a photographer.

We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
It definitely hasn’t been a smooth road. Moving back to the US after spending most of my life in the Philippines came with a lot of challenges—starting over, adjusting to a new environment, and rebuilding both my personal and creative life from scratch. There were moments of uncertainty, especially balancing a full-time job while trying to stay consistent with my photography.

Creatively, there were periods of self-doubt—questioning my style, my progress, and whether my work was good enough. Early on, photography was very on and off for me, and learning how to stay disciplined and show up consistently was a big struggle. The pandemic added another layer of difficulty, but it also forced me to slow down, reflect, and shoot with more intention.

A friend once told me that we take pictures because of “the love of the game,” and that really stuck with me. It reminded me why I started in the first place. Looking back, all those struggles taught me patience, resilience, and the importance of community. Finding other creatives in Los Angeles helped me push through those challenges, stay motivated, and grow—not just as a photographer, but as a person.

Thanks for sharing that. So, maybe next you can tell us a bit more about your work?
I mainly focus on street and portrait photography. I’m really drawn to everyday moments—things that feel real and unposed. I like working with natural light and letting scenes happen, especially in city environments. A lot of my work comes from simply being present and paying attention to what’s happening around me.

Over time, people have come to recognize my work for its consistency and honesty. Recently, I’ve really found my rhythm with color. I’ve always loved movies, and I often approach my photos in a more cinematic way—almost like still frames pulled from a film.

What I’m most proud of is sticking with photography for over a decade, even when life got busy or uncertain. Balancing a full-time job while continuing to shoot hasn’t always been easy, so seeing my work printed, published, and shared means a lot because it represents that persistence.

I think what sets me apart is my background in music and graphic design, and the way I see different art forms connecting. I really believe that music, movies, and photography exist in harmony, and that mindset influences how I approach mood, timing, and storytelling. I’m not chasing trends—I shoot because I genuinely love it, and I think that comes through in the work.

What do you like best about our city? What do you like least?
“What do you like best about our city?” I’ve lived here for five years, and what I love most is that LA is a city that rewards people who look closely. As a fan of music and romance movies, I love that the city is a living backlot. For example, one of my favorite things to do is visit locations from films like 500 Days of Summer. I love finding those specific spots in Downtown—like the Tom Bradley Tower at City Hall or the Bradbury Building—and capturing how the historic architecture contrasts with the modern pulse of the city. To me, the ‘best’ of LA is that cinematic feeling where you can step into a scene you’ve loved on screen and experience the music and history of the space yourself.

“What do you like least about our city?” What I like least is how the city’s sprawl can sometimes mask its beauty. Using 500 Days of Summer as an example again—that movie highlights a very walkable, romantic version of DTLA. But in reality, those ‘cinematic’ moments can feel far apart because of the traffic and the physical barriers between neighborhoods. I dislike that the city’s best cultural gems—like a hidden jazz club or a historic filming location—are often separated by hours of gridlock. It can make the city feel fragmented, and I wish it was easier for the community to move through these beautiful spaces as seamlessly as they do in the movies.

Contact Info:

• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/angelgeljoe