The Film Director & Photographer from Whitney, Texas
A note for Flip: Hey there, cousin. Wow, look at us! From snotty nose to business owners. Who would've thought? I am so incredibly proud of you and the man you have become. You are the definition of self made and you have pulled yourself up so many times and continued to push and be the best version of you. You take care of your home, you run a business, and you still make time to be present and interact with others. You have grown so much and you are shining so bright. I love you and I love what you are doing! It's amazing work and I know you will continue to shine and be big time sooner rather than later! Now, let's get this interview going! :)
Where are you from and where did you grow up?
I am from Whitney, Texas, but I grew up in Houston, Texas.
How old were you when you first took an interest in art?
Around 11-12. I started drawing, then dancing and creating small films. Then I started skateboarding, which is another form of art to me.
What is your favorite childhood memory that involves art? It could be in the sense of photography/film or one of the other forms of art.
My favorite childhood memory regarding film is when my cousin Beans, who was an artist signed to 713 Records, used to take me to watch him record his music and music videos. I was around 13 or 14. I think that gave me my first taste of the rap community and gave me a desire to have an interest in it.
Growing up I knew you would always be something amazing. I remember you were always into computers/cameras and technology. What inspired you to become a film director/photographer? Think back to that very first time you picked up a camera to capture a beautiful moment… What inspired this very moment?
I started filming stuff in middle school. I used to make dancing videos and skateboarding videos with my friends.
Watching music videos and Netflix inspired me to start taking videography seriously. I fell in love with the way you can tell a story or invoke a feeling or mood with an angle or a color. I am still fascinated about it every day as I learn more and more. I picked up my first professional camera about 3 years ago. I was at work in an industrial plant, and I was watching a music video behind the machine I was operating. I thought to myself that I wanted to pursue something and create value with my mind instead of labor. I also wanted to be able to create art that would exist long after I was gone. I saved $400 and bought my first DSLR from Best Buy that same week.
What does your creative process look like when you’re getting ready to film or photograph for someone? Do you do anything to get yourself prepared to be your best self, or do you always stay prepared?
I have an image journal. I like to watch my favorite directors and grab ideas from videos that are similar to the project I am going to work on. I also like to meditate before my sessions to ground myself.
What influences you to continue to film, direct, and photograph even when you are feeling unmotivated?
I don’t 100% believe in being unmotivated. If I’m not creating, it’s because I am tired and I need to rest. If I’m feeling like that, I will sleep for several days and do nothing related to my craft. I will journal, skateboard, do yoga, meditate, and read, and once I feel like I am creatively energized again, I will begin to pursue my craft again.
When you hit creative blocks, what are some things you do to get yourself back on track and get those creative juices flowing again?
I like to do nothing related to my craft for days. I will journal, skateboard, do yoga, meditate, take a bath, read, and work out. I will listen to the podcast regarding becoming a better human. The breaks make me hungry for it again. The thought that I have the opportunity to even breathe and pursue a creative craft keeps me going past "creative blocks." I just feel as though sometimes I get exhausted from thinking about the next step every day. Sometimes breaks to just be thankful and become grounded are needed.
Think back to the first time you ever booked a client professionally. Were you nervous during this time, and if so, what got you through this event? Do you think your confidence changed after completing your first professional service?
Yes. I am still nervous when I shoot for new clients or projects. Pressure creates diamonds, so I always use the feeling of anxiety or excitement towards the work. I believe any creation will be amazing to someone. My first video was with a stranger I met at a show. He took my Instagram, and the next weekend, we shot a video. I got over 3K organic views. I didn’t know how to use my camera or edit correctly. The momentum from that video showed me that I could do something great.
How would you describe your style of photography or film directing, and what do you think sets you apart from other photographers and film directors?
I think I am still finding my style, as I am relatively new. I would describe my style as urban but cinematic. I think what sets me apart is that I can relate to multiple crowds as I shoot rap videos, but I also have clean work such as real estate and event photography. I am still finding myself. I think my end goal is to have a very cinematic, clean style, as I want to pursue commercial work and projects with big artists.
So I know you have a business, VS1 Visuals, and you photograph and film weddings, events, real estate, and videos for artists as well! I cannot tell you how proud I am of you. What your plans are for your business in the near future?
Thank you. My plans are to pursue more commercial work and sponsorships. I want VS1 Visuals to be a well-known name. This company came from my desire to create something with my mind rather than with physical labor.
What has been the most challenging thing in your career thus far, and how did you overcome that?
The most challenging part is balancing my regular work life with my marriage while still putting in the needed hours for my company. I have definitely grown over time and found a balance, but it will only get better over time.
What has been your favorite event or video that you’ve filmed thus far? Tell us a little bit about that experience and why it’s your favorite.
My favorite video thus far is Houston’s Own MC's "Life’s Hard Enough." This is my favorite video because the artist gave me a decent budget and full creative control. Working with him is always a pleasure. The music is well produced, and he is very open-minded. He’s also a close friend in real life.
What are you most thankful for in your life right now?
Life. Family. the opportunity to try.
Do you have any other passions or hobbies? If so, what are they?
My passions and hobbies are skateboarding, videography, photography, and yoga. I would like to start writing soon, but I am focusing on those for now.
What is the end-all goal for your life, personally and professionally? What will be the catalyst in your life that will make you say, "Damn, I have finally made it?"
As a man, I don’t think I will ever feel as if I made it. I will always want more. My main goal is to generate enough revenue for me and my family to have a nice, comfortable life.
Are there any special people you’d like to recognize or give thanks to?
The universe, my mom and pops, my wife, the geometric skate shop, and every artist that gave me an opportunity.
I am from Whitney, Texas, but I grew up in Houston, Texas.
How old were you when you first took an interest in art?
Around 11-12. I started drawing, then dancing and creating small films. Then I started skateboarding, which is another form of art to me.
What is your favorite childhood memory that involves art? It could be in the sense of photography/film or one of the other forms of art.
My favorite childhood memory regarding film is when my cousin Beans, who was an artist signed to 713 Records, used to take me to watch him record his music and music videos. I was around 13 or 14. I think that gave me my first taste of the rap community and gave me a desire to have an interest in it.
Growing up I knew you would always be something amazing. I remember you were always into computers/cameras and technology. What inspired you to become a film director/photographer? Think back to that very first time you picked up a camera to capture a beautiful moment… What inspired this very moment?
I started filming stuff in middle school. I used to make dancing videos and skateboarding videos with my friends.
Watching music videos and Netflix inspired me to start taking videography seriously. I fell in love with the way you can tell a story or invoke a feeling or mood with an angle or a color. I am still fascinated about it every day as I learn more and more. I picked up my first professional camera about 3 years ago. I was at work in an industrial plant, and I was watching a music video behind the machine I was operating. I thought to myself that I wanted to pursue something and create value with my mind instead of labor. I also wanted to be able to create art that would exist long after I was gone. I saved $400 and bought my first DSLR from Best Buy that same week.
What does your creative process look like when you’re getting ready to film or photograph for someone? Do you do anything to get yourself prepared to be your best self, or do you always stay prepared?
I have an image journal. I like to watch my favorite directors and grab ideas from videos that are similar to the project I am going to work on. I also like to meditate before my sessions to ground myself.
What influences you to continue to film, direct, and photograph even when you are feeling unmotivated?
I don’t 100% believe in being unmotivated. If I’m not creating, it’s because I am tired and I need to rest. If I’m feeling like that, I will sleep for several days and do nothing related to my craft. I will journal, skateboard, do yoga, meditate, and read, and once I feel like I am creatively energized again, I will begin to pursue my craft again.
When you hit creative blocks, what are some things you do to get yourself back on track and get those creative juices flowing again?
I like to do nothing related to my craft for days. I will journal, skateboard, do yoga, meditate, take a bath, read, and work out. I will listen to the podcast regarding becoming a better human. The breaks make me hungry for it again. The thought that I have the opportunity to even breathe and pursue a creative craft keeps me going past "creative blocks." I just feel as though sometimes I get exhausted from thinking about the next step every day. Sometimes breaks to just be thankful and become grounded are needed.
Think back to the first time you ever booked a client professionally. Were you nervous during this time, and if so, what got you through this event? Do you think your confidence changed after completing your first professional service?
Yes. I am still nervous when I shoot for new clients or projects. Pressure creates diamonds, so I always use the feeling of anxiety or excitement towards the work. I believe any creation will be amazing to someone. My first video was with a stranger I met at a show. He took my Instagram, and the next weekend, we shot a video. I got over 3K organic views. I didn’t know how to use my camera or edit correctly. The momentum from that video showed me that I could do something great.
How would you describe your style of photography or film directing, and what do you think sets you apart from other photographers and film directors?
I think I am still finding my style, as I am relatively new. I would describe my style as urban but cinematic. I think what sets me apart is that I can relate to multiple crowds as I shoot rap videos, but I also have clean work such as real estate and event photography. I am still finding myself. I think my end goal is to have a very cinematic, clean style, as I want to pursue commercial work and projects with big artists.
So I know you have a business, VS1 Visuals, and you photograph and film weddings, events, real estate, and videos for artists as well! I cannot tell you how proud I am of you. What your plans are for your business in the near future?
Thank you. My plans are to pursue more commercial work and sponsorships. I want VS1 Visuals to be a well-known name. This company came from my desire to create something with my mind rather than with physical labor.
What has been the most challenging thing in your career thus far, and how did you overcome that?
The most challenging part is balancing my regular work life with my marriage while still putting in the needed hours for my company. I have definitely grown over time and found a balance, but it will only get better over time.
What has been your favorite event or video that you’ve filmed thus far? Tell us a little bit about that experience and why it’s your favorite.
My favorite video thus far is Houston’s Own MC's "Life’s Hard Enough." This is my favorite video because the artist gave me a decent budget and full creative control. Working with him is always a pleasure. The music is well produced, and he is very open-minded. He’s also a close friend in real life.
What are you most thankful for in your life right now?
Life. Family. the opportunity to try.
Do you have any other passions or hobbies? If so, what are they?
My passions and hobbies are skateboarding, videography, photography, and yoga. I would like to start writing soon, but I am focusing on those for now.
What is the end-all goal for your life, personally and professionally? What will be the catalyst in your life that will make you say, "Damn, I have finally made it?"
As a man, I don’t think I will ever feel as if I made it. I will always want more. My main goal is to generate enough revenue for me and my family to have a nice, comfortable life.
Are there any special people you’d like to recognize or give thanks to?
The universe, my mom and pops, my wife, the geometric skate shop, and every artist that gave me an opportunity.
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