Hello, I’m Luis!
Growing up, I’ve always had a passion for video content and media creation. As a teen in the rising age of the internet, I found interest in creating YouTube videos. Although making videos with my friends was fun, I knew I wanted to pursue a more serious and professional career with filmmaking. As a way to further develop my skills with cinematography, I picked up photography with my phone as a way to develop an eye for visuals. That led me to discover a passion for photography, which I now pursue along side filmmaking.
After high school, I moved on to Citrus College in Glendora, CA, where I achieved an A.S. degree in photography. As of May 2024, I am proud graduate with a B.A. degree in Television, Film, and Media Studies, with a certificate in Entertainment Marketing from Cal State University Los Angeles.
Much of my early photography work is digital and are of the streets and skylines of Downtown Los Angeles. Nowadays, I’ve opened myself to shoot with more analog film instead of digital. My motivation for photography has changed as well. Where as I used to shoot aesthetically pleasing street photography for likes on social media, I’ve started to focus more on shooting film and documentary work for my own pleasure as an artist and for appreciation of the craft.
Photo by Gabrielle Johnson (chasinghorizonsphotography.com)
Jesus Christ is Lord.
I’ve struggled a lot with depression and mental illness since I was younger. Going into my young adult years, I had decided that since therapy had done very little to help, I would quit and figure it out on my own instead. With my limited wisdom and knowledge, I made many decisions that I thought were right when they weren’t. Some I knew deep down were wrong. And I justified it all with under the guise that since there was no hope for me, I had to isolate myself so that I would not burden those around me. There was no hope for me and there was nothing to help me from the vast, dark space I lived in. I felt truly alone. I was convinced I could only find rest for my soul in death and that it was the only solution.
In 2019, I had reached a breaking point. I was so tired of trying to figure out on my own, that I gave up and said “whatever happens, happens.” I had finally relinquished control of my life, which allowed God to work and reveal his presence. I had noticed a shift in my attitude, relationships, and a willingness to stay for those in my life despite the weight of depression. After being invited to church by a friend of mine, I had realized that this new definition of love and joy in my life was from Jesus who had been working in my life.
I believe in the Gospel of Christ. I believe that every human is inherently a sinner and that we have a sin nature. There has never been and never will be a sinless human, apart from one person, Jesus. Jesus Christ is Lord. He is the son of God. Jesus died for the sins of all humanity, including yours! Yet, death could not hold Him down and He resurrected from the tomb. Now, we as followers of Christ live to glorify Him in reverence and obedience, preach the good news of salvation through him, and love others as He has loved us.
Photo by Gabrielle Johnson (chasinghorizonsphotography.com)