Meet Jose Andres Cortes | Photographer, Cinematographer & Film Colorist

We had the good fortune of connecting with Jose Andres Cortes and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Jose Andres, how do you think about risk?
I believe risk is that “something” that makes you advance in life. Risk is about listening your instinct and no matter how low or high it is the risk you’re taking, you just won’t be the same after it. I was someone very reluctant to it. Always tried to play “safe” and conformed myself with the kind of life I was living at the moment, it was just easier. However, my passion grew stronger and ended up making me leaving the confort and steadiness of my job and hometown to start a fresh new life in a new country to follow my passion and work into what I love. The result? The greatest decision I’ve made in my life so far.

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 have always considered myself a good listener and observer. This and my passion for storytelling is what drove me into photography and the art of creating images with a meaning. I like to think that every frame I create has a story behind, a memory to share or an emotion to evoke. I started my career as an advertising photographer in Colombia (my home town) and after some years of steady work, I was feeling blocked and decided I needed a new perspective in my life. So one day, I packed my bags to come to LA to explore, observe, listen and learn from the best storytellers not only in photography but also in film. Arriving to a new place is never easy, specially to a city like LA with so much talented people everywhere. It’s intimidating and exciting at the same time. And even though it was not easy at first, now days I can’t be more happy with my decision. Because thanks to it, I found new ways of telling stories, sharing memories and evoking feelings no only as photographer but also as a cinematographer an a colorist in this always growing amazing industry.

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?
LA is a city that has so much to offer that It actually makes it really hard to choose, but I would try to do little bit of something. Visiting some of the museums (LACMA, The Broad, Getty Center, MOCA, Huntington Library). Driving up the coast from Hermosa Beach until Malibu and stop at Pacific Palisades to enjoy one of the best sunsets I’ve ever seen. Hiking at either Malibu or Griffith park is also a great option to enjoy the scenery and a beautiful sunset. Visiting Hollywood to take some photos at the Dolby theater and the Walk of Fame. Walking around Downtown LA, the art district and stopping by to grab a quick bite at Rice and Nori at Little Tokyo. At night we would go and dance either at Zebulon or The satellite in silver lake. or try to catch any music show at the Whiskey or The Roxy in Hollywood.

Shoutout is all about shouting out others who you feel deserve additional recognition and exposure. Who would you like to shoutout?
My family! I’ve always been lucky enough to have their full support and definitely wouldn’t be here without them.

Website: http://www.joanco.com
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/joanco.photo/
Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/joseandrescortes

Image Credits
Jose Andres Cortes