Please briefly tell us about your background.
Hi, well I have always been interested in art, I used to go to the museum or expositions in my country when I was a child and a teenager, despite my friends or classmates got bored going, for me always was awesome, I studied music I loved playing the guitar and sing, and wrote I own songs, finally when I had to take the decision about what career I was going to study, I decided Visual Arts because in that time my passion changed for to take photographs, and I remember since I was a child I really loved taking pictures with my phone, and edit them with “be funky” haha, progressively fashion came into my life, I really felt fascinated with Robert Mapplethorpe's work and Annie Leibovitz too, so I started taking many portraits to my beautiful friends (most of them women), and
little by little I started with stranger people and finally with models.
What does life look like for you now and where do you see yourself in the future?
Off, today I’m freelance (maybe just for a while) but I don’t take photographs just about fashion, I do couples photography, product, and soon weddings, and I study a certified about marketing, very important in this age (for any profession), I’m not sure If I’m going to continue living in Mexico. Sometimes I don’t feel comfortable talking about the future, haha It makes me feel anxious, but I really want to continue doing photos, and expand my business.
What do you love the most about your profession?
I really love working with a creative and professional team, I really enjoy seeing all these great designers, stylists, models, and mum's great works. Sometimes I say I remember when I used to play with my barbies girls, now I’m truly working with real people haha.
How would you describe your work to someone who has never seen it? Is there any message you would like your photos to convey?
Sweet and glamorous, I live in a city with high levels of violence, so on TV or in newspapers even in the reality you can see many violent images, blood, bodies, people crying, etc. So I really believe that the kind of images we see affect directly the brain, and your mood, that’s the de reason which I want to counter that.
How do you keep yourself productive and retain your creative edge?
See a lot of cultures! read books, watch movies, travel, etc.
How hard has it been establishing yourself in the industry and what are some of the largest things you've faced?
SO HARD! , Sorry I don’t want to disappoint anyone, and obviously, it depends on your country, but I can say in Latin America is very hard, there are really few photographers who manage to establish themselves living just like fashion photographers in Mexico, sometimes the magazines just are looking for foreign photographers, and don’t give opportunity or “take the risk” working with other local photographers.
I used to work in some companies in fast fashion and I have to say is the worst, the work environment is horrible, the salary is not enough and a lot of hours to work, they don’t value your work.
What is the best piece of advice you've ever gotten and do you follow it?
Many people gave me advice, but I think in general to know about “ this career is about endurance more than another thing”. And yes, I still follow it, look at me here yet haha.
If you couldn't be a photographer, what would be your other career choice?
I like topics about business, investment, and marketing. I’m studying marketing now.
In addition to being sharp and well-lit, your photos are beautifully edited. What is your retouching/production philosophy?
Thank you so much!! , well I know many photographers hate retouching photos “old school,” I think haha, I’m just kidding, I think in general, learn the bases about photography and retouching, and then do wherever you want, enjoy the path, but do the things well, that’s so important, take you profession serious if you wanna be great, practice so hard, sometimes you are gonna find clients that give you specific instructions, and if you don’t know the bases you won't make it.
What's the most important thing you want your potential clients to know about you?
Values such as responsibility and hard work, you will always find in me.
Where can our readers keep up with your work and get connected with you?
Sure, you can see my work here: jude.rojas jude_weddings_photography
My official Page : jude-rojas.webnode.mx and jrweddings6.webnode.mx
Model: Grace Reyna @gracereyna
Photographer: Jude Rojas @jude.rojas
Makeup Artist/Hair Stylist: Rodrigo Battista @battista_rodrigo
You can read The MAIN ISSUE Vol. 29 here:
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