Meet Saúl López | Videographer & Photographer

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

Hi Saúl, what is the most important factor behind your success?
One of the biggest factors that has helped me in my career as a videographer, photographer, creative (aside from the obvious of creating good work) is just being a good person. The creative industry can be filled with a lot of big personalities and it can be difficult to navigate all the people you come across, especially when working in entertainment or music.

Something I’ve always strived for, and I’ve been told this by other people, is that they really enjoy having me around. Honestly, people wanting to be around you and have you with them is 60-70% of the battle. In an industry like mine, you’re working closely with people 8-12 hours per day some times 3-4 days in a row. That’s a lot of time to be around people, and if you don’t like the people you’re with it can be difficult. Outside of all of that, I’m genuinely happy when I see all my friends succeeding and doing well. It’s never a competition with anyone else; there’s enough room for everyone to eat, especially in a town like LA. And I think being supportive of others and putting positive energy into the world is what you’ll receive in return.

Can you open up a bit about your work and career? We’re big fans and we’d love for our community to learn more about your work.
I’ve been a full-time, freelance videographer and photographer since 2017. It’s been such an incredibly wild, scary, depressing at times, fulfilling, exciting journey.

When I started making videos for fun in 2016 I was just doing it because I just wanted to have a creative outlet. At the time I was a high school teacher in Altadena, CA freshly out of college. Since then I’ve gone out to create videos for brands and companies, including Apple Music, Netflix, Under Armour, Jordan Brand, Facebook, Instagram, Spotify and so many more. I’ve also had the opportunity to work and tour with some of my favorite athletes and artists. I think what I’ve enjoyed the most out of all of this is the people I’ve met and get to work with.

My work and videos are primarily for social media; whether Youtube vlogs, Instagram, Tik Tok, etc. I group up on Youtube watching people like Casey Neistat and Rory Kramer. I wanted to create fun moments that made people feel like they were right there in the room with you; not stuck behind a screen.

What I didn’t know was that outside of the final video people watch, usually on their phone or computer, is everything you as a creative and business owner need to go through to make it happen. Whether handling client requests, different egos and personalities, flight delays, being on your feet for 12 hours at a time, doing projects for free to grow your portfolio, etc You really get a crash course into life. From intrapersonal relationships to finances and economics, think of anything in life and being in production teaches you about that. My biggest takeaway from all of this is the close relationships you bond with people that really go on to become some of the closest people in your life.

Let’s say your best friend was visiting the area and you wanted to show them the best time ever. Where would you take them? Give us a little itinerary – say it was a week long trip, where would you eat, drink, visit, hang out, etc.
I went to Pepperdine University in Malibu so Malibu is always on the itinerary. Grabbing a breakfast burrito at Lilly’s cafe. Doing a hike at the top of Corral Canyon Road. Quick dip in the Pacific Ocean at Westward Beach. Lunch at Malibu Seafood. maybe followed by an Acai bowl at Sunlife while watching the sunset off Point Dume. Dinner Taverna Tony.

Shoutout is all about shouting out others who you feel deserve additional recognition and exposure. Who would you like to shoutout?
There’s so many people that have helped me along my journey so there’s no way I can pick one. My mom has always been very supportive and I saw how hard she worked as a single mother while raising me and that was really instilled in me at a very young age.

Michelle Hanabusa, founder of the clothing brand Uprisers, is like an older sister to me and gave me my first paid opportunity as a videographer in 2017 and really guided me through the creative industry and community in Los Angeles since then. I wouldn’t be where I am without the space she created for me.

And so many of my friends who are also creatives; I don’t want to name names and leave anyone out but every day I’m chatting with them on Instagram or text about different projects or budgets, or decks and it’s inspiring and motivating to have a kinship with so many people who are going through similar experiences with you. It really takes a village to get to where you want to go and it’s always more fun with those closest to you.

Website: www.saulrlopez.com

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/saulopez/

Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/saulrlopez/

Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@SaulLopezVideo/videos

Image Credits
All photos shot and edited by me