Meet Christopher Valenzuela | Photographer

We had the good fortune of connecting with Christopher Valenzuela and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Christopher, what was your thought process behind starting your own business?
All of my life ive been driven artistically. I started painting and drawing from a young age, drawing became part of my identity and it kind of defined me for a long period of time, from elementary through middle and into high school all I did was draw and paint. My grand father inspired me, he was an actor and a painter from England and I used to spend hours watching him paint, it was inspiring, and contagious. As i got into high school I became very active in the art scene locally from my high school doing local shows and even through to a couple museum expos. I started teaching art through a school program called the “Urban Art Movement” to elementary and middle schools and through out the remainder of high school illustration and painting stayed, but I started with other mediums as well. I started writing poetry and music, and got really into photography and film through a couple classes that I took and had a hand in our schools weekly videos. As I graduated I got a job teaching art and getting paid, and just continued exploring mediums, I started rapping and making music I did a few shows and collaborated with local artist. After a while I picked photography back up and started studying the different photographers that caught my attention, and I got lost in their work. All of this is to say, my business is called ” CLCTV MEDIA” because all of my life ive been a jack of all trades, I feel my business is a culmination of all of my experiences through the different art forms. I love art, I love expression , I love providing a service that provokes emotion and photography has always been there. my business is more so of a way to materialize the things that have been a big part of my life and Photography has been a medium that I have been obsessed with. Time is something that we all wish we can contain, photography to me is was that I can provide a service to clients and myself that I love and its something ill never and have never been bored with.

Alright, so let’s move onto what keeps you busy professionally?
I feel whole heartedly what sets me apart from others is, the love for the art that I have. I strive continuously to better myself, it wasnt until the past few years that i’ve taken photography more serious, but in all aspects of art I do, I become competitive, Mainly with myself. I could happily do this act of service for free and I would be completely fulfilled. I understand that doesnt make the best business model, but if we are boiling it down to Happiness, I love providing, I enjoy offering a service and that is fulfilling to me, the ability to make money is definitely a plus, but for example something im organizing is, back to school photos for free to parents who are struggling financially and want to provide these memories for their children but cant afford it. I grew up in a rough environment and there are a lot of things I wasn’t afforded due to finances, but I’m organizing a free photo shoot for 20 families in my community so that they can have and share these memories. Time is so limited , and again if i can offer this service by just giving some of my time to make someone elses day, that is such a fulfilling feeling to me.

Honestly so far in this path, it has absolutely been easy, the gear that I have purchased, the learning, the studying, the hours I’ve spent striving for improvement, continuously challenging myself , growing artistically and creatively, communicating with people to understand what their vision is, and trying my best to capture it while still providing my touch to . It has absolutley been easy, Im not in debt, I grew my gear over time, ive added to it as ive needed, I absolutely love learning, I become obsessive over personal growth, so yes as of right now this path im on has been easy.

Ive definitely learned a lot, I’ve learned how to communicate properly or at least more clearly, Ive learned to manage expectations better, I’ve learned that you can always plan for alot of things but cant plan for everything so rolling with the punches is a skill thats refined.

Any places to eat or things to do that you can share with our readers? If they have a friend visiting town, what are some spots they could take them to?
If my best friend was visiting id have to start with The slice 420, thats probably the best pizza place ive been to in.. well possibly ever, id also make plans to get out to the restraint Pig Latin, probably catch a show at the black sheep and the rest of the time would be exploring, I absolutely fell in love with an area called Brainard recreational area more specifically the Blue Lake Hike, which is approximately a 7 mile out and back hike through Mitchell Lake to get to a huge remote area called Blue Lake. I also have plans to get to Ouray to hike to Island lake and explore that area more, and trek around telluride.

Who else deserves some credit and recognition?
I do have a group of people that has always supported me.
My wife whos been my best friend and biggest supporter, shes been my constant source of direction, and hope.
My Dad who has taught me what discipline is and that dedication will get you a lot further than motivation.
My friends Shanti, Ashley and Allen , who have been my sources of inspiration and creativity, their knowledge in all aspects have been shoulders for me to lean on and voices for me to hear when I need guidance.

Website: Clctvmedia.com (website is publishing september 14)

Instagram: clctv media

Facebook: CLCTV MEDIA

Youtube: CLCTV MEDIA

Image Credits
Mikayla Fee, Blake & Morgan Lawson, Lindsey Webb