Christopher R

Christopher Rojas

My life turned by the zoom of a lens. I am seventeen years old and I have been creating photographs for a four years. I started taking classes at Santa Monica College during the summer of 2008. In the fall of 2008, I started learning the process of the darkroom and I enjoyed every moment. I experiment with many different photographic styles, and I am excited to learn new things. Photography reveals what an individual sees, and also provides a lens into the future that I envision. For me photography is a way to escape because you become the creator of your own world.
I enjoy creating portraits and recently started a collection of portraits I have taken over the past years. You can tell a lot from a simple portrait, it can help someone get to know the person without ever meeting them. In particular, I photograph my family because the portraits of my siblings help me stay connected to them. It’s my way of spending time with them. I consider my family an important subject to work with because I can create documentation of moments spent together, and it’s easy to work with them due to our closeness.
I want my photography to be a collection of art, an informative story or documentary. I am exploring other ways I can develop my photography beyond a simple photograph, since I want the picture to have a meaning, not just a space in the wall. Since I started working with Venice Arts, this is with they have helped m with, storytelling. Storytelling has been important in history to preserve customs, or traditions, and with my photographs I want to illustrate a part of me.
Photography has opened the door to many opportunities. The summer of 2009 I received a scholarship to Idyllwild Arts Camp, and the following summer I did an intensive cinematography program at the University of Southern California. This year I am part of the Youth Media Crew for the second year, and I participate in the Internship program at Venice Arts. As an intern at Venice Arts and I have learned a lot. Not just how to hang a picture in a gallery, or improve my photographic skills, but in particularly I learned stuff for life. I become more responsible and more attached to my mentors, and I know that I can seek help anytime I need to.
Furthermore, I will go to college to be a film major, and specialize in cinematography. I find the whole process of creating a story through utilizing pictures amazing, and I want to become part of it. I expect to obtain a great experience as I mature, and understand who I really am. Venice Arts has focused deeply my photographic future, and I will continue to excel with my art.