Today we’d like to introduce you to Edi Roque.
Hi Edi, so excited to have you with us today. What can you tell us about your story?
I have been a multimedia artist for a lifetime but, it hasn’t been always like that.
I grew up in the arts but I was told that I had to pick just one thing, one “career” so I chose music as my main focus and I left cinema and photography in the back of my head for years even though I was also working on those fields “behind the scenes” (like that was something I should be ashamed of).
Through the years, music, cinema and photography has become just a different vehicle to achieve the same goal: express how I feel and who I am. But it took me a while to find a balance between those three different “languages” as each one of them also requires some specific skills. Finding the balance and wearing so many different hats can be a challenge but I would encourage everyone out there with multiple talents to not let that fade away.
Can you talk to us a bit about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned along the way. Looking back would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?
Just like in any career based on the arts, when you are starting out and trying to find your voice and style oftentimes we say yes to everything and that’s just part of the process.
I’ve done a few projects that although I don’t regret them (because there’s always a lesson to be learned), I would not choose to do them again just because at this moment in my career, I know where my style & voice can exceed expectations on a project or campaign and where I feel that another artist could do a better job.
Once you leave your ego outside the door, there are no challenges because if you are truly in the moment, the creative process is pure joy.
Appreciate you sharing that. What else should we know about what you do?
I’m a photographer based in Studio City specialized in fashion/lifestyle/boudoir, commercial and editorial photography.
I have my own studio and what I believe that makes my work so different from a few of my peers is the fact that I’m able to utilize my experience as a musician and director to connect with my models.
The feedback I have from some of my clients who have worked with other photographers in the past is that many times they overlook the emotional aspect of being in front of a camera as they also fail to create a nice environment to set the mood for the session.
Every client is as different as it should be your approach to them. I had people coming for a session very shy and self-conscious about a physical aspect in their bodies or a scar that they are not comfortable about, etc.
I always take my time to understand every single person before we start the session as my goal is to create a rapport so there is trust and connection.
One of my quotes is that “we can photoshop out anything physical that you don’t like about yourself but there is no photoshop to create an emotion that you are not feeling”. And once they know that it’s liberating.
We love surprises, fun facts and unexpected stories. Is there something you can share that might surprise us?
People who knows my work in general knows that I like all things bold, strong and powerful.
When I’m behind an instrument or my camera, my goal is to express confidence and inspire people to empower their people, their communities. But when lights are off and the curtain closes I’m a pretty shy and introvert person.
I’m not as outgoing as some think I am. I love everything about my work but the favorite part of my day is just laying on the couch with some popcorn and watching a movie with my wife.
Contact Info:
- Website: www.photobydrp.com
- Instagram: www.instagram.com/photobydrp
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100089037501243
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC3gi0MdZeQ8K0TGj1M5ncVA
Image Credits
All photos by Edi Roque – DRP Photo Studio
Photo 01 model: Jasmine Nguyen
Photo 02 model: Nandini Kannan
Photo 03 model: Vanessa Peng
Photo 04 model: Brooke Jackson
Photo 05 model: Sakura Yoshino
Photo 06 model: Sakura Yoshino
Photo 07 model: Sara Croce
Photo 08 model: Cassandra Dixson
Photo 09 model: Melissa
