Check Out Ernie Perez’s Story

Today we’d like to introduce you to Ernie Perez

Hi Ernie, please kick things off for us with an introduction to yourself and your story.
Ive been taking photos for about five years now, but it started as a college elective I chose on a whim. I didn’t expect it to turn into anything serious, but once I realized I wasn’t just taking pictures —I was creating them—it changed everything. Photography became less about documentation and more about storytelling, conceptualizing, and building worlds into my pictures.

Studying photographers like Gregory Crewdson, David LaChapelle, Richard Avedon, Gordon Parks, Cian Moore, Petra Collins, Nadia Lee Cohen, etc; completely shifted my understanding of what an image could be. You can create images rather than just take them.

Later, being on set with one of these photographers I admire(d) opened my eyes even further—seeing his process in real-time on how he shot everything in camera and saw how much time and money actually went into creating these sets for a single image, made me rethink my own approach.

Since then, photography has been a constant process of learning, experimenting, and evolving. Every shoot is an opportunity to push my work further and figure out new ways to bring ideas to life.

We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
One of the hardest things when I first started was getting my hands on good equipment. All I had was a Canon Rebel T3i that I borrowed from my cousin—and honestly, it was ass. But looking back, I think that was the best thing that could’ve happened. It forced me to focus on the fundamentals instead of relying on a high-quality camera or lens to make a good image. I had to get creative, work with what I had, and really learn how to make a shot interesting. In the end, that limitation ended up shaping my whole approach to photography.

Alright, so let’s switch gears a bit and talk business. What should we know about your work?
I specialize in bringing creative concepts to life for my clients—but with a fun, fresh approach. A lot of campaigns today either feel repetitive or like they’re just chasing whatever the algorithm is pushing.

My work is heavily influenced by early 2000s lighting—the kind you’d see in magazines and album covers from rappers and pop artists back then. That era shaped my visual taste, and you’ll see it reflected in my photos. I also lean toward vibrant colors, not just for the aesthetic but because it keeps things bold and full of energy.

What sets me apart is my ability to merge nostalgia with something new. I focus on building worlds that feel both familiar and fresh.

Can you share something surprising about yourself?
Something surprising? I’m not actually a huge fan of being called a ‘photographer.’ A lot of photographers carry their cameras everywhere and geek out over specs and technical details—but that’s not really me. I’m more interested in bringing ideas to life than obsessing over the ‘correct’ way to meter light. If it looks good, it looks good. For me, it’s always been about the vision first, and the camera is just the tool to make it happen.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://eeernie.com
• Instagram: https://instagram.com/eeernie

Image Credits
photographer: Ernie Perez