Get Lost in Gorgeous Interiors with Photographer Zeke Ruelas
I proudly come from a family of longshoremen; my father, his father, my uncles, my mother, my sister . . . everyone. I did longshoring for a couple of years, but the creative juices flowing inside me eventually led me on a different path. I always loved dance and photography, so I was always playing around with both. Knowing I had to focus on one career, I started out as a professional dancer.
It wasn’t easy explaining this career choice to my longshoreman dad, but he eventually came around with full support the first time he saw me dancing on national TV.
Dancing allowed me to travel the world and, wherever I was, I always had my camera and was taking pictures. When I started thinking about retiring my dance shoes – since professional dancing can be short-lived as a career – I knew exactly what I wanted to do next: photography.
I went back to school and eventually started assisting some great photographers. Two photographers in particular made a huge impact and influenced and shaped the genre of photography that I shoot today: interiors and lifestyle. Those photographers are David Tsay and Robert Deutschman. David is a brilliant interior photographer and Rob creates and captures the most amazing moments in his lifestyle/advertising work. I will always be grateful to these gentlemen. I learned so much from them, and they always taught me to find the light.
Through David I met a wonderful designer, Emily Henderson, and after working on several interior shoots with her, my career in interior photography was born.
The way they design a room basically feels like the colors, furniture pieces, rugs, books, sculptures, vases, knickknacks, plants, everything dances together in unison – like a finely choreographed room.
My home has always been my escape from city life. It’s the place where I come to refresh and refocus. I enjoy a calm space with a variety of colors. I love a mix of vintage and new and am constantly inspired by the designers with whom I work. I love white walls and colorful accents.
I have a wall in my living room that is dedicated not only to framed pictures, but pieces that I feel connected to through my passions and travels.
My work space is located in a corner of my living room where I can see everything. I love sitting and working into a space, rather than facing a wall. I feel that I am more creative when my energy goes into a room, especially when I can glance up at my space once in a while. It calms, centers and recharges me before going out and creating beautiful pictures.
It’s kind of ironic that I love color, but wear black. But the reason is this: I was on a shoot that had a lot of chrome and reflective glass. During the entire shoot, reflections of my colorful clothing were a complete nuisance to me and everyone else, and it made my shoot twice as challenging.
So here’s a tip for anyone considering becoming an interior photographer: wear black.
See more of Zeke’s beautiful work by following @zekeruelas on Instagram, and visit zekephotography.com.
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Editorial Disclaimer: Articles featuring tips and advice are intended for educational purposes and only as general recommendations. Always practice personal discretion when using and caring for furniture, decor and related items.
