Happy New Year

Ah New Years Eve, another excuse for American’s to drink excessively. I feel like almost every Holiday has to do with that. 
Earlier today I met up with friends from San Francisco who came down to San Diego for OMFG NYE… an event that I chose not to attend because, in my opinion, the ticket was too expensive for the line-up. I mean… not a single Dubstep producer… come on.

 I had an amazing time with them and didn’t want to leave. And I was hoping to get together with my friends and do maybe have a tiny celebration. But nothing panned out. 

So I spent the countdown alone.

Hell, I didn’t even care to countdown to be honest.
But I’m genuinely not sad about it. Not sad at all. As the clock struck midnight I say here at my desk editing photos from earlier today, popping open a beer or myself as 12:01 hit. Tonight was very symbolic to me. 

I am my number one. I am m own first priority. 
You need to look after yourself first, because honestly in this world only your best of best best friends (which may be one or two people- if that) will put your before themselves when it comes to it. And that’s fine, it’s just how the world is. But many people forget to put  themselves first and end up getting fucked over because of it.

As I sat there, drinking with myself I looked back at this year. This was a landmark year in my life.
I gradually became a professional photographer,  graduated, went to college in a new city that I fell in love with,  made the best friends I’ve ever had, etc. Some would say that 2011 has been my best year ever. 

So cheers to that, Luis. Cheers to you, Luis. Cheers to me, Luis. 
You’ve come a long way. Now it’s time to make 2012 your bitch.
The world is mine to conquer. 

I’m looking forward to Christmas…

Yes, I have all of the usual objections to it’s marketing, the commercialization of an ancient religion, and the westernization of an old palestinian to sell PS3’s and trees. 

I’m not expecting a visit from Jesus… but I’ll be seeing my dad, my brother, my gram, and  my aunts/ uncles, and my mom. 

I get a little freaked out by churches… and the hymns that they sing have nice chords but the lyrics can be a bit dodgy. But let’s remember that I went to a catholic high school, a tax exempt institution where I was taught to externalize blame, feel ashamed, and judge things as plain right or wrong… but I quite like the songs.

I’m not expecting big presents… the classic combination of socks and cash is just fine by me. 

But I’ll be seeing my dad, my brother, my gram, my aunts/ uncles, and my mom. 
My dad used to tell me “you’ll learn some day that wherever you are and whatever you face- these are the people who make you feel safe in this world”. And it’s starting to make a lot more sense now.

Happy Holidays.  

A (pissed off) nightlife photographer’s manifesto.

I never say this. Because I never am. But fuck, I’m bitter. 

You wanna know why? I’ll tell you. And it’s gonna be a long winded post so feel free to leave right now if you’re not up for it.

I am a nightlife photographer. I AM a professional nightlife photographer. Not some talentless hack who got a shitty camera on craigslist and wants to seem like he’s part of a scene. 

I am an artist who over time has honed his craft. I produce amazing photos. And no I’m not being cocky-asshole-Luis. But I have to give myself credit where it’s due. 

People tell me: “Oh! You take photos at raves! That’s so cool it must be so fun!!” 

Let me tell you a little bit about nightlife photography: 
The nightlife scene has always been huge. For decades young people have needed somewhere to flock to, dance, get some, get fucked up, whatever they need there’s a fix. Then club managers and promoters started HIRING nightlife photographers as a club amenity to attract even more people and provide an additional service. 

Then all of a sudden in 2009 the Electronic Dance Music culture blew the fuck up. People now worship producers/DJ’s. They’re no longer going to clubs to hear some random local DJ spin top 40 hits- they’re going to clubs and events to see their gods on stage playing their favorite songs. With the digital revolution- everyone can AFFORD to buy an average consumer quality DSLR these days. So these raver kids who wanted to be a bigger part of the scene, or seem like they were important, or try to meet their favorite DJ’s, etc started going to these events. At first everyone was getting paid- but things have changed. 

Electronic music is huge now, bigger than anyone could’ve predicted. Now these kids who got a camera from mommy will go to events and shoot for free just to be closer to their favorite DJ’s than everyone. Promoters have caught on and now expect EVERY photographer to shoot at their events and accept the “perks” as payment. 

What fucking perks? There are no fucking perks that are worth cash money. What?
Getting to be backstage? Not glamorous at all and is hardly regulated anyways- anyone can get in if they look like they belong.
To get in to events for free? Yeah, you can get in for free and then provide $150 worth of labor… not exactly free.
To meet DJ’s? Look unless you’re getting someone who could headline a massive then it’s really not that exciting. A two second hello with someone who’s music you love just isn’t worth it.  

Experiencing success as a nightlife photographer has become a big fucking game of “it’s who you know”. It really is. 
In San Diego there are people shooting for big local promotions who’s photos look like they were taken with a camera phone and make me want to gouge my eyes out. AND THEY’RE MAKING BANK. Whereas people with true artistic ability are left in obscurity.

Most of the photographers who are taking your photos at events aren’t being paid. They do it because either:
A) They are skilled and SHOULD be getting payed… but truly had a passion for what they do and will bite the bullet so continue shooting. 
B) Have absolutely no skill, at all. They’re terrible. But they want to seem “in” the scene and “cool”. These people are killing photography. 

Where does that leave your anti-hero in this story? I’ll tell you.

I’ve enjoyed my run thus far- so much. I got into nightlife photography completely by accident and have quickly become someone who produces professional quality work that in the past has earned me a good amount of money. I’m shooting at a great event up here in SF that brings awesome DJ’s. 

But I’ve shot so many internationally touring DJ’s at this point, and have grabbed all of these imaginary prescriptions of “status” that it’s finally dawned on me… they’re just that- completely imaginary. 
The only thing that’s real is ME and the fact that day in and day out, week after week, for almost five months I have proved to everyone in this city that I am one of the BEST. There’s only one person who I’d say shoots better than me and maybe two (if that) who’d I’d say are on my level. 

And yet no matter how many time I prove it I’m not shooting these huge arena shows, I’m still not shooting top ten DJ’s, I’m barely promoted, my photos aren’t in a magazine. But the fact of the matter is I should be and I deserve to be. 
And this isn’t sour grapes but the fact that some absolutely shitty photographer, who cheaply and ineffectively ripped off my style to produce D- quality work, is shooting people like BORGORE simply because he’s friends with a talented videographer makes me SICK.

And I get it. I’m just a spoke on the wheel. With or without my work it’s gonna keep turning. I know that. And these events are going to continue to make money, and these shitty photographers will always be accepted at events to shoot for free despite themselves.

So what am I gonna do about?

I’m over the idea that nightlife photography is going to take me anywhere. It isn’t. At least not in and of itself.
Which is why I’ve devised a plan for photo-domination that is going to take me higher than any photographer I know.
In 2012 my re-branded YouTube channel is going to make it’s debut. For those of you who don’t know I’ve experienced previous success on YouTube (5000+ subscribers and Partner status) to the point where I didn’t need to get a day job anymore. I am taking my photography knowledge to YouTube to teach all of these wannabe’s who will flock to YouTube for direction how to do it right and in turn make me a viral character for the second consecutive time. 
I have also begun making my move to corporate reception and wedding photography. There’s so much more money to be made and at lead THERE they won’t expect you to work for free.

By this time net year I will be singing a very different tune and will be getting the recognition and be enjoying the success that I’ve been deserving for a long time coming.

You may call me cocky, you may call me conceited, you may call me jaded, you may call me an asshole.
But my work speaks for itself as will my future.  

Until then.