Today we’d like to introduce you to Jean Velez.
Thanks for sharing your story with us Jean. So, let’s start at the beginning and we can move on from there.
I started taking pictures of my family, parties were I would be invited to and I decided to stick with music, I never left it. I started going to bars, I would get kicked out, they would say NO and I was like “I’m not going to charge you!”. Then I would act like a band member and would get access to backstage, security guards wouldn’t notice and I was able to take photos of great musicians/Bands. At one point I started making my own badges and was given the access that I needed… It’s so funny now that I see those photos and the badges.
Than I did some research and I contacted someone on Instagram, which I apologize because I don’t recall his name, but he gave me the best advice anyone had given me he said that I had to go to contact the band managers or even the artist directly so they can give me credentials, and it worked in several occasions.
After that I decided to put a post on Craigslist about my work, and that’s how JMG Magazine contacted me, one of my big gigs with this magazine was in a venue here in Houston called Stereo Live, I was excited because I had known about this venue years back when it was known as BAR RIO. I was able to photograph The Chainsmokers when they were starting to lift off with “Let me take a selfie”, back in 2014, these photos were published in the JMG’s Mags (I still keep a copy of it, and get excited to know that my work It’s there).
Days later I got in touch with Live Nation to see if they were hiring and they pointed me in another direction which was Nightculture who at that time was looking for a photographer. I contacted them and I was given the opportunity to show them some of my decent work. Weeks later, I heard back from them, they wanted me to start shooting for them, they gave me a couple of dates and the schedule was all set, I continued to work with them… I am very thankful with JMG & Nightculture for giving me this great opportunity to know the hallway (I haven’t forgotten about Disco Donnie Events. They’ve offered me many things that I appreciate)…
-It’s March 3rd -2018 and it’s already 2;01 am, I need to fresh my mind! I’m going to sleep. Ok, I just woke up a while ago with an intense freshness! It’s 12; 28 pm. By the way, Saturday, March 3rd-’18… Let’s continue. Like I mentioned before I am very thankful with them because they were the ones who provided the fuel to fill this rocket, which has not made lift off yet, I’m still waiting for that spark… I’ve had the opportunity to work with a lot of people, learn a little more within the medium, I’ve been working on great festivals and concerts. I really appreciate Each of the opportunities that they’ve offered me.
I never imagine going thru a lot of things, maybe for some people, it doesn’t make sense but it does for me. I like to create phrases about the ways we walk and include them when I’m having a conversation with someone. One of my favorite ones is “If you have faith in what you desire, it will come without reminds you”, It’s a little bit embarrassing because I don’t think it makes sense to many, But oh well… I remember that a few years back I wanted to photograph Blink-182 (I really consider myself as a fan since 2001. Sorry, Matt Skiba! My favoritism has ended…).
Matt is a great musician but the band it wasn’t the same rhythm, I don’t know, Many people like me could understand me. I was able to shoot for blink 182 on March 23th, 2017, I’m glad Mr. Thomas Delonge wasn’t there or I Don’t know what I would have done… There’s when I realize that you don’t have to think every day about what you want in the future, it will come without reminders. Many can imagine we are like groupies wanting to take pictures of our favorite artist but isn’t like it. I HAVE LIKING FOR MUSIC GENRES, but not for artists, if so, I’m not gonna show you how much I love them… I just go to do my job and not to bother the artists, or anyone.
I just go to introduce myself, to say hi, Take the portrait of them/him/herself (Most of the people ask me, why I don’t take photos of me and the artists like everyone does? Nothing. IT just not my trip, is not mine). I’ve always said and I’m gonna say it the rest of my life; The day that I get to go on tour with an artist, whoever artists who has faith in what I do, Is when I’m really going to get to know them (and I’ll let them take a photo with me) NOT JUST by meeting them ones and asking how he/she doing, how’s their life is going, I just don’t like it at all… I think I just went off subject. My apologies.
Everything you want or you have in mind it will come. The only thing you need is faith, and it’ll be yours. These are some of my greatest achievements, I Could go on to tell you but that’s how things are… I have struggled a lot in these long years, doing and enjoying what I do, most of the time spending from my own pocket just to forget the routine for a while and feeding my needs. I have a regular job From Monday thru Friday from 7:00 am to 3:30 pm.
-On my lunch break, I am a solitary person who uses the time to think about what to create after the hell, Whats gonna happen?! I feel free! I feel great when I get back to my life. I keep myself busy creating many things that help me learn, it’s like having a bucket where I keep the best of my creations, So I can enjoy it when I feel the need too.
I’ve created many things, and I’m not like those persons who show what they do every single day, I don’t need to… If I’m here still living, is for a reason and I will not stop Dreaming until I see my Triumphs. OK, I think I just went off subject again… My apologies.
TO TELL YOU THE TRUTH I have a bunch of things to tell you… I apologize for the people who didn’t read your own name, I’m not an ungrateful person.
Has it been a smooth road?
I think this is something I will never forget…
On September 23, 2015, there was an event/fest called Life in Color in Dallas, TX. The closing artist (By the way. I want to send a shoutout so) was SLANDER. I asked if they needed a photographer and they said yes. The pay wasn’t too much and I wanted to do it. I drove to Dallas, TX with my wife Marlene and we were so excited, so I bought a 6 pack of Miller Lite and a 6pack of Smirnoff (I don’t know how to write it) I’ve done my beers (BEFORE THE SHOW) and I went to buy more, by then she had only had one.
The show was starting, we say hi to these guys, and we take some photos (NOT ME, only for her). When the show was over I put my stuff away and we were heading back to Houston. By this time I was done a 12pack beer while she still had her drink.
We decide to stop and get some coffee and some snacks, She asked me for the keys to the Suburban we were driving and decided to drive the rest of the way back, I fell asleep like a newborn baby who is being held by his parents. It was around 1:20 am, minutes later, when I felt something hit us… while I was sleeping, I started moving and shaking, when Opened my eyes I saw a bunch of sparks in front of me.
We rolled over the pavement on 45 south in a such a violent scary way. It was the most horrific 6/9 seconds of my life. And then I heard my wife calling me “Jean, are you ok?! Get out!” I was passed out, I had no idea what was going on… I thought it was a nightmare. As I was making my way out of the Truck I started to remember… I had glass and dust in my eyes, I didn’t suffer too many damages, but my wife had more wounds on her legs, arms and her left hand was completely cut open. It was horrible.
We were taken to the hospital around 3:00/35am were she had to get sutures and staples put in to help put her wrist close. we survived. My parents in law picked us up about 6:30 am on September 24, 2015, they were scared, we were traumatized… We went to see the truck and could not believe what I was seeing… It was all destroyed.
-Some teenagers were driving in a BMW 110mph and hit our truck from the back, they were fine and were able to walk Free that night because they were underage. They said they didn’t know what just happened… Thank god we’re alive, but we lost our truck, My equipment all broken in pieces, and our dignity.
If you would have seen the truck, you would think the people that didn’t make it. The driver side was completely pushed in from the impact. If it would have been me driving, I wouldn’t be here writing this to you. I am 6’3 and my wife is 5’2 so just imagine how that looked… I thank god for the opportunity he is giving us.
That was one of the challenges I had to deal with. Also, not being able to travel so far, I can’t really travel outside of this state, maybe some people don’t like me because of my status and stuff, but you know what? It’s the truth… I can’t be able to travel, I don’t see the need to hide it.
-As a long as I remain alive, My hopes will not die… Ok, There is my email contact somewhere here, so you can ask me if you have any doubt. Or if you have my contact just hit me up! The reason is because it’s a little bit hard to translate all this in English, you know? 🙂
THANK YOU
So, as you know, we’re impressed with Jean Velez Photography – tell our readers more, for example what you’re most proud of as a company and what sets you apart from others.
My business is committed itself to delivering the best to the customer, serve them well, giving a great price and ABOVE ALL the availability in any photo category (I don’t publish photos at all out of my category).
My specialty is live music scene, I like to capture those cool images I have after shooting (I truly say that I’m not sure if mines are on purpose or coincidence… I enjoy watching it 🙂 but always trying to do my best, giving different frames of the scene. I don’t know if the people know me really well… I’m not sure HOW they know or call me… I’d like to know.
I proud of what I do because I believe in my work, I keep building bridges and paving roads because I don’t find the opportunities, I create them.
-The only difference between the other photographers and I, is that I’ve been drinking coffee since 1993, and I know perfectly The Discada, -What is discada, Jean?! Is Mexican food that you can enjoy with family or
friends.
Soy Mexicano.
Let’s touch on your thoughts about our city – what do you like the most and least?
I like the Toyota stadium. It’s a big goal to be there photographing for any agency. I’d like to see more music festivals here in Houston.
And, what’s my dislike… I’m not sure, I have nothing in mind.
Pricing:
- I charge $135 An hour of photography, but you can go to contact me for more information.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.instagram.com/rudovell/
- Phone: 8324213497
- Email: rudovell@gmail.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/rudovell/
Getting in touch: VoyageHouston is built on recommendations from the community; it’s how we uncover hidden gems, so if you know someone who deserves recognition please let us know here.
