October 22, 2016

Meet DTLA Motion Designer, VFX Artist, and Photographer: Joe Rojas

Local Stories

Today we’d like to introduce you to Joe Rojas.

Joe, please share your story with us. How did you get to where you are today?
I’ve always been interested in art, music, media photography, great films, fashion, urban culture since I was a young skateboarder growing up on punk rock music, Pink Floyd, Jimi Hendrix, original gangster rap and MTV when they actually played videos.

School was mostly a blur which I spent absent skating with friends, hanging at the beach or playing video games at the local pizza joint using smashed up nickels that we formed into the size and shape of quarters.

When I was in class I’d mostly spend my time drawing. This type of lifestyle, of course, limited my employment options later and a good friend of mine from one of the bands I was in mentioned he’s going to college to learn digital graphics, (photography, photoshop, video editing, animation, sound design, illustration web design). At the time I was working as a batter/fryer at popeyes and totally hated it, so I thought what the hell, I’ll get to live in the dorms with my friends and do art stuff.

I immediately I hit the ground running and started getting job offers from the college which led to outside jobs through referrals. I’ve pretty much been freelancing since then (2000) working on all types of projects with all types of people and companies.

Around 2006, one of my good friends who I met through work suggested I get back into shooting and so I picked up a Nikon d60 and we’d go around town street shooting. It was really cool just being out there capturing moments that normally are overlooked.

I have a sense of freedom and creativity with shooting that is quite unique. I am also a musician which that allows me even another creative outlet which I highly enjoy.

So starting back then I’d shoot landscapes cool buildings or locations, lines interesting graffiti, people on the street. Along the way, I started photographing people which was a very natural transition and one that I’ve always wanted to do. I got a gig shooting at an 80’s club on Monday nights in Hollywood and expanded my network quite a bit there. To collaborate with other talented, unique people on creating something poignant, unique and emotion inducing is something I strive for.

Since day one I knew I wasn’t destined for a 9-5 office type job and photography has really pulled me in an engaging direction. I have a strong desire and passion to create stunning images and hope to make a change or an impact on people on an emotional level, that would be a great accomplishment.

Has it been a smooth road?
I’d say it’s been pretty smooth for the most part, Life has been good to me and even through certain situations that I have been through which seemed really bad at the time, in hindsight, they have led me to where I am today and I am grateful for that and have no regrets. Everything is good!

Who, or what, deserves a lot of credit for where you are today?
My good friend Roy, who sold me on the idea of going to college for media arts, during which time I was not focused.

What kind of work do you look forward to most?
I look forward to all creative breaking new ground type projects and clients.
Some of my favorite projects include visual effects on videos for Eminem, Rihanna, Shakira, Justin Bieber, Britney Spears, etc.

What do you know now that you wish you knew when you were just starting out?
As a young kid, I would read through encyclopedias, books, and magazines on all types of aircraft, with the SR-71 Blackbird being one of my favorites. My uncle would take my cousin and I to hobby stores to buy model kits of planes and cars which I would spend all weekend building.

I dreamed of becoming an astronaut or fighter pilot, which would’ve been pretty cool had that panned out for me.
I feel that everything has worked out perfectly for me to lead me to where I am today and have 0 regrets.

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