Today we’d like to introduce you to Richard Villatoro.
Richard, can you briefly walk us through your story – how you started and how you got to where you are today.
The first time I picked up a camera was when I decided to major in Cinema and New Media Arts and Houston Baptist University. I always enjoyed films as a passive viewer and never really absorbed the content as an art form. With the initial goal of going to medical school, I decided I could major in anything I wanted as long as I did my pre-medical courses.
Film seemed like a fun subject so I picked it out of curiosity. I began to learn the fundamentals and soon saw the connection between photos and video. One is just moving at twenty-four frames a second most of the time. People saw my work at the university and by word-of-mouth, started to refer me to friends and co-workers. I developed many promotional videos for fraternities, sororities, talent acquisition, and more. I am a big “yes man” and thus allowed me to try different styles of videos and it helped refine other skills such as design and story-telling. At one point someone asked for my business card and all I could think of was “I should get one”.
As simple as that, I began to brainstorm a series of names to create a brand for myself. Interestingly enough Valase is broken into two entities: Val is the symbol for valine which is an amino acid which has a distinctive V-shape for Villatoro. The root ending -ase means an enzyme which catalyzes a reaction. My ultimate goal with each client is to incite a spark of joy and or appreciation for my work but at the same time perform my duties in a swift manner. I constantly ask current students and or alumni to help with different projects that I get assigned. It provides them with exposure and allows me to learn from the second set of eyes. Valase media has sculpted itself over time.
My initial establishment of this company was on the impulse that I needed a name behind my work. It has now become my gateway to creating new bonds and produce memories which capture the brightest of times. I live by a quote from Robin Williams once said “We don’t read and write poetry because it’s cute. We read and write poetry because we are members of the human race. And the human race is filled with passion. And medicine, law, business, engineering, these are noble pursuits and necessary to sustain life. But poetry, beauty, romance, love, these are what we stay alive for.”
We’re always bombarded by how great it is to pursue your passion, etc – but we’ve spoken with enough people to know that it’s not always easy. Overall, would you say things have been easy for you?
I never really wanted to market myself to widely as I created Valase Media while I was in college. With 18 hours of classwork, 3 leadership roles, and a part-time job, it became apparent that I needed to refine my time management skills. I never wanted to let an opportunity pass but it began to reflect on my grades as I said yes to more and more clients. Prioritization quickly became a learned methodology. The planner on my phone became my best friend as I began to prioritize my assignments and commitments over time. I can now say that I am still coordinating the same amount of work but with a mature response.
As with any other business, word-of-mouth only does so much as weddings and senior portraits fluctuate in seasons. I had a hard time grasping what and how to market. Does it start with a simple Facebook ad, do I participate in a wedding convention, or do I need to become more interactive with my current and future clients? There is not one sole answer but I began to develop a conglomeration of a response which boiled down networking. Humans yearn for interaction and the creation of new memories. My work focuses on the beautiful moments and thus I needed to make that apparent to become a person, not just a company. I decided to reach out and check on past clients as well as distanced friends. I created a friendly website that emphasized the UI and UX for easy accessibility. Multiple modifications go a long way but it all starts with a simple hello.
So, as you know, we’re impressed with Valase Media – tell our readers more, for example what you’re most proud of as a company and what sets you apart from others.
I am Houston-based media company which focuses on the very essence of creating just about anything. I became a jack-of-all-trades to understand multiple roles as well as become a better asset to myself and others. I am proficient in cinematography, photography, graphic design, and audio design. I am mainly known for my photography and videography. Every job I take involves people and that in itself is what I work for.
Being able to, for just a moment, see a couples story or a graduates motivation is what drives my work. What sets me apart is that I don’t show up at a photo shoot or video shoot with the word “JOB” written on my forehead. I go with the mentality that the individuals I am working with hold an enriching story which has defined them. I speak with my clients about who they are or were in the past to better reflect them through my media. This allows me to capture angles which are influenced by their story.
So, what’s next? Any big plans?
I would love to have a broader umbrella as I come to bring others under my wing. I still have a lot of horizons to cross but I can say that I am open to any changes along the way. I look forward to producing a polished product for everyone to enjoy.
Contact Info:
- Website: www.valasemedia.com
- Phone: 8327888615
- Email: valasemedia@yahoo.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ilovekittycatsmeep/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/valasemedia/
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.
