Meet Samuel Cruz | Photographer & Pilot

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

Hi Samuel, where are your from? We’d love to hear about how your background has played a role in who you are today?
I was born near the Bay Area but spent most of my life in the heart of the Midwest—Fort Wayne, Indiana. As the son of hardworking immigrants from Mexico, I grew up in a working-class household and attended public schools. My father ran a small car dealership, and from a young age, I spent time there helping him with customers or washing cars.

Throughout high school and college, I was deeply immersed in the musical arts, with marching band at the center of it all. After high school, I took it a step further by joining a drum corps for a couple of years. Those experiences fueled my passion, instilled discipline, and connected me to a community that felt like family. When that chapter ended, I found myself facing an unexpected void.

A few years later, on an impulse, I picked up a camera. What started as a simple purchase quickly became a new creative outlet. Photography filled the space that music had once occupied, leading me to explore the world through a different lens—literally. I began traveling to other countries, capturing landscapes and telling stories through imagery. Along the way, I also achieved a lifelong dream: earning my commercial pilot’s license and instrument rating.

I wouldn’t be who I am today without my parents or the arts. Their influence shaped my work ethic, creativity, and the way I see the world.

Alright, so let’s move onto what keeps you busy professionally?
I’m a self-taught photographer. My journey began in 2016 when I picked up a camera from Amazon and immersed myself in countless hours of YouTube tutorials. While I technically fit the definition of a professional photographer, I don’t always see myself as one—I’m constantly learning, refining my craft, and making mistakes every time I shoot.

My work is centered around capturing the familiar from a new perspective, often through the use of a telephoto lens to compress the foreground and background, altering the scale of a landscape to the human eye. One of my biggest influences is Reuben Wu, an artist who pioneered the technique of lighting landscapes at night with a drone. I’ve taken inspiration from his work and put my own spin on it.

Beyond photography, I’ve always been fascinated by the topics of UAPs and alien visitations. Growing up religious, I later began questioning whether the extraordinary stories I read in the Bible could have been encounters with unexplained phenomena. Some of my work reflects these ideas—a bright light descending from the heavens, hovering just above the ground, illuminating the landscape. Five hundred years ago, that might have been recorded as an angelic visitation. Today, it would be seen as a UAP encounter.

One of the biggest lessons I’ve learned as a creative is that I do my best work when I’m free from both external and internal pressure. In 2022, I traveled to New Mexico to capture the annular eclipse, but I placed so much pressure on myself to take a portfolio-worthy photo that I didn’t enjoy the journey—and ultimately, I left with little to show for it. That experience taught me that the story behind the photo is just as important, if not more, than the image itself.

Above all, I want people to know that while I’m self-taught, I stand on the shoulders of those who raised me and the educators who have influenced me. No journey is a solo journey. I am the product of my community.

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.
Day 1: Classic LA Landmarks & Hollywood

Morning:
Griffith Observatory – panoramic views & Hollywood Sign.
Short hike in Griffith Park
Breakfast at Belle’s Bagels (top-tier hand-rolled bagels in Highland Park).

Afternoon:
Tour Warner Bros. Studio
Lunch at In-N-Out Burger.

Evening:
Sunset at Hollywood Bowl Overlook.
Street tacos for dinner

Day 2: Santa Monica, Venice Beach & Museum of Flying

Morning:
Santa Monica Museum of Flying – great aircraft collection.
Breakfast at Huckleberry Café.
Explore the Santa Monica Pier.

Afternoon:
Lunch at Bay Cities Italian Deli – try the famous Godmother sandwich.
Rent a bike & ride to Venice Beach.
Walk through the Venice Canals.

Evening:
Sunset at El Matador Beach in Malibu.
Dinner at Geoffrey’s Malibu.

Day 3: Downtown LA & Arts District

Morning:
The Broad Museum (FREE, modern art, reserve tickets).
Breakfast at Grand Central Market (Eggslut recommended).
Walk to Bradbury Building & Angels Flight Railway.

Afternoon:
Explore Little Tokyo.
Visit the Arts District (street art, breweries).
Lunch at Wurstküche (gourmet sausages & craft beer).

Evening:
Sunset drinks at Perch (rooftop bar).
Dinner at The Park’s Finest (Filipino-American BBQ, don’t miss the cornbread bibingka).

Day 4: Catalina Island – Wrigley Memorial & Long Beach Dinner

Morning:
Catalina Express Ferry (~8 AM from Long Beach).
Arrive in Avalon, grab breakfast at Lloyd’s of Avalon.
Visit Wrigley Memorial & Botanic Garden (great views & history).

Afternoon:
Snorkeling at Lover’s Cove or ziplining.
Lunch at Bluewater Grill.
Relax at Descanso Beach Club.

Evening:
Ferry back to Long Beach (~5 PM).
Dinner at Open Sesame (incredible Mediterranean food, get the potatoes with garlic sauce).

Day 5: Palos Verdes & Redondo Beach Coastal Adventure

Morning:
Drive down to Palos Verdes for breathtaking ocean views.
Hike at Abalone Cove (cliffside views, tide pools, sea caves).
Breakfast at Yellow Vase Café (cozy café with great pastries & coffee).

Afternoon:
Explore Point Vicente Lighthouse & whale-watching area.
Walk the Korean Bell of Friendship scenic overlook.
Lunch at Busy Bee Market (delicious sandwiches)

Evening:
Sunset at Terranea Resort’s coastal trail.
Dinner at The Strand House (beachfront dining in Manhattan Beach).
Drinks at Alta House or The Bungalow in Manhattan Beach.

Day 6: Pasadena & Relaxed Vibes

Morning:
Visit The Huntington Library & Gardens.
Brunch at Lavender & Honey.

Afternoon:
Explore Old Town Pasadena.
Visit The Norton Simon Museum.
Lunch at 101 Noodle Express in the San Gabriel Valley

Evening:
Sunset at Elysian Park Secret Swing.
Dinner at République.

Day 7: Unique LA Spots & Departure

Morning:
Visit LACMA & Urban Light installation.
Breakfast at Sycamore Kitchen.
Option: La Brea Tar Pits nearby.

Afternoon:
Explore The Grove & Original Farmers Market.
Late lunch at Jon & Vinny’s.

Evening:
Echo Park Lake (rent a swan boat) if time allows.
Dinner at Quarter Sheets Pizza (one of LA’s best pan-style pizza spots, don’t skip the princess cake).

The Shoutout series is all about recognizing that our success and where we are in life is at least somewhat thanks to the efforts, support, mentorship, love and encouragement of others. So is there someone that you want to dedicate your shoutout to?
I wouldn’t be the person I am today without my parents. They left their home country in search of a better life, found each other, and started a family—first me, then my sister. I always saw our family as small but mighty—underdogs who persevered and kept moving forward despite the odds.

My parents sacrificed so much to give us a better future. Before my dad started his business, both of them worked in aluminum smelting foundries, making car parts. The work was grueling and dangerous, but they did it anyway to put food on the table and ensure my sister and I could have a childhood free from the struggles they endured.

I also want to give a special shoutout to Mr. Klee, my high school band director—a man who dedicated his entire career to teaching kids about music. His passion and commitment shaped so many students, including me. Without his influence, I wouldn’t be the visual artist I am today.

Website: https://samuelcruz.com

Instagram: @heysamcruz