Up and Coming Photographers: Raul Romo

This week, Planet Notion focuses on young, up and coming photographers in the fashion world- with a new interview for you everyday. We kick things off by talking to Raul Romo, a young, Californian based photographer.

PN: Tell us a little about yourself.
RR: My name is Raul Romo, I’m a seventeen year old full time high school student, and teenage fashion photographer. I sing, dance, and draw, but my ultimate passion is devoted to photography.

PN: How did you first discover photography?
RR: I randomly discovered photography at a birthday party when a future friend began shooting the birthday girl. She had her get ready while she setup some of her lighting, and as all of this went on, I was amazed! When they began shooting, I was around the photographer the whole time: asking her questions, trying to look at the photos, you name it! Later, she asked me to give photography a try, so a few weeks later I picked up my grandpa’s old camera and photographed everything and anything. Through that, my photography has progressed to what it is today.
PN: Do you think your age impacts your photography?
RR: I don’t think my age impacts my inspiration for photography, but it definitely places limilations on what I can and cannot shoot. There are ideas I’ve had for years, and will have to put on hold either because I don’t have the money to produce what’s envision, or because I’m just too young to photograph it.

PN: Where do you see your photography taking you?
RR: I see photography bringing me to great success, and to a career I will love forever. Also, I see my photography taking me to a great place in my life, teaching me to enjoy success , and to live in the moment.

PN: Is there a type of photography which appeals to you the most?
RR: Fine art, fashion, and analog photography have always interested me, but lately I’ve been inspired by cinematic and conceptual photography, trying to incorporate these types of picture taking into my fashion photos.

PN: What camera do you use?

RR: The main camera that I use is the Canon 50D, but I often use a Canon AE-1 35mm, an Instax mini film camera, and a One-Step Polaroid camera.

PN: Do you have any hobbies?
RR: Besides photography, I also sing, dance, and draw! I am a part of The Music Machine, a singing and dancing show choir in Southern California that has performed all over the world. So when I’m not shooting, I’m performing! I try to use these hobbies as other forms of inspiration for my photos.

PN: Do you think the place you live in affects your photography?
RR: The place I live in hasn’t affected my photography too much, because when I am inspired by something, or have a specific idea for a concept, I do my best to find the exact location I envision. However, I’m very lucky that there is a lot of diversity in the area I live in, so I can find many different locations to shoot and get away. So, my hometown has affected my photos in the sense that it has aloud me to dream up whatever I please.

PN: What does July/summer mean for you?
RR: Both July and Summer mean free time to shoot and work! I am currently in Los Angeles interning for a well-known photographer, so the summer is always vacation time to have fun and work work work!

This photo (above) was something I shot over my summer, and is one of my favorites because everything fell into place when I photographed it. I loved that shoot, and loved the people involved in the shoot that day too!

-Emma Hoareau