Check Out Ruben Diaz’s Story

Today we’d like to introduce you to Ruben Diaz.

Hi Ruben, we’re thrilled to have a chance to learn your story today. So, before we get into specifics, maybe you can briefly walk us through how you got to where you are today?
My love for photography comes from my father. Growing up my dad always had a camera in his hands. Either during birthdays or trips to the beach, he loved capturing family moments. I would spend hours on end looking through family albums intrigued by the passing of time in each picture.

After a childhood where I experimented with my dad’s cameras, I grew to love the image-capturing process. There was an energy that came with documenting moments and ideas.

Fast forward to 2004 when I moved to Los Angeles and started freelancing with photographers. Ben Helprin, a mentor I had during my undergrad years introduced me to Jay Silverman. Silverman was an established commercial photographer and director that hired me full-time after seeing a passion in me. For the next six years, I worked at Jay’s studio in Hollywood as a studio manager. During those years I learned all aspects of photography, production, and shooting for live-action. I thank him dearly for taking a chance on me and for giving me the opportunity to learn and grow as a photographer and person.

As my time ended as a studio manager, I started freelancing for different tv productions and doing photo jobs here and there. Many friends that were artists or ran gallery spaces started asking me to help them with documenting art for them. It was something that I didn’t take to seriously, but enjoyed the community that I was being introduced to. After a number of years working in between tv shows and shooting art, I decided in 2012 to focus on documenting art full-time.

So after a decade of photographing art I feel truly blessed to collaborate and work with such talented and inspiring creatives.

We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
This journey hasn’t been a smooth road. Long hours, doing more than expected, and delivering great work is what has allowed me to excel. Putting in the time to perfecting your craft and growing your relationships is something you have to do every day.

Can you tell our readers more about what you do and what you think sets you apart from others?
I’m a photographer that specializes in documenting artwork for artists, galleries, and institutions. Working with the creative to accurately portray their art is harder than it sounds. Photography at this level is very technical that takes a lot of patience.

I think something that sets me apart from others is being able to deliver good work in any condition. Every shoot that I do is in a different location with a different set of challenges. Creatively solving problems at each job is something I strive to do.

The one thing that I’m proud of is with the relationships that continue to grow with some of my long-time collaborators. There are many clients that I have had the pleasure to see grow in leaps and bounds creatively and professionally. Being part of that growth means a lot to me.

Are there any books, apps, podcasts or blogs that help you do your best?
Two of my favorite podcasts are Life Examined and Mesa Verde Voices. I have native American roots and Mesa Verde Voices goes in depth about people who lived near Mesa Verde a hundred of years ago. Life Examined is sort of like meditation for me. Listening to the host and guest break down philosophical and religious ideas give a greater meaning to my own life.

Contact Info:

• Website: pingpongpaw.com
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/docu_la/