Today we’d like to introduce you to Ryan Callanta.
Ryan, before we jump into specific questions about the business, why don’t you give us some details about you and your story.
Originally, I am from Eastvale, CA (Corona). I made my way to San Diego because I went to California State University San Marcos. There I studied Mass Media with a minor in Video/Film Production and I graduated this past 2019 summer. My passions are centered around creativity and art, focusing on photography and video production. I discovered my love for photography at a very young age. As a young child, taking photos and videos was my responsibility and that meant a lot to me. At this point in my life, photography was a tool of documentation and keepsake to look back on memories. It wasn’t until a trip to Europe in 2014 where I started using photography as an art. I started to realize the importance of composition and techniques like depth of field and long exposures. This trip was a pivotal moment where I decided to take photography more serious.
Around this time, I picked up making videos. It started with just filming day adventures with my friends and family. I remember for a Christmas, I told my mom that we should get my dad a GoPro. Once he opened it, I’m kind of sorta stole it and used it constantly. This was honestly my favorite time making videos because everything was new and a challenge. It was a constant search to better myself and learn different techniques and skills. In each video I made, I saw improvements in my work. I upgraded from that GoPro and worked two jobs throughout college to buy camera equipment.
Up until college, I would consider myself self-taught. I learned from experience and hundreds of hours of YouTube tutorials. I decided to take classes just to back up my skills “on paper.” The only competition was myself and in these classes, I already knew everything and was top of my class. I realized that being self taught isn’t a bad thing because those individuals are passionate and have an internal drive to learn and improve.
At CSUSM, I worked at ASI (Associated Students, Inc.) as the design team leads. Here I designed flyers and videos for campus events. I worked here for four years and it played a major part in my career. In the aspect of professional development, skills, and network. We hosted events for students on campus, anywhere form just a free coffee cart in the morning, to the annual music festival. On the side to help feed my expensive hobbies, I would freelance as a photographer and videographer. I accepted all job offers from engagements, to real estate. As a freelancer, I joined Justin Phu media and was brought on to more projects throughout southern California. Some notable work with them included full production videos for police departments that had full foot pursuits and police chases.
Because of my connections at CSUSM, I was introduced to my current company “Show Imaging.” We are an A/V company (Audio & Visuals ) who create the best live experiences. We do a lot of local events in the San Diego area, including the Comic Con and CRSSD Music Festival. I am a Creative Designer for Show Imaging, making content for events (videos, motion graphics, etc.)
On the side, I still do photoshoots and freelance video productions. This year, I had a photoshoot in Salt Lake City for a wedding announcement! so I am flexible if I am available! (I will provide photos of this shoot) I am also an FAA-certified drone pilot (Part 107) so I get hired for a lot of video projects strictly for drone usage. Besides my current job at Show Imaging, I do not have a small business to promote other than photography/drone/videos! I hope that works for your story and if not that’s totally alright!
We’re always bombarded by how great it is to pursue your passion, etc – but we’ve spoken with enough people to know that it’s not always easy. Overall, would you say things have been easy for you?
It hasn’t been the smoothest road. Juggling all of the projects and two jobs during college was difficult. I am extremely lucky to be in the position I am in today. And I don’t see the adversities I have faced as a bad thing. Yes, I have had projects that went into their six revisions or shoots that didn’t go as planned, but in the long run, it made me the person I am today and has brought me to this skill level.
On a personal note, a major obstacle in my life was four of my good friends passed away in a car accident. I miss them so much and think about them every day. Everything I do today is for them to make them proud and I think that translates into why I am so passionate about my work and what I do. I learned to not take things/people for granted and to live life to its fullest. That’s why I am so blessed to be in a position where I am happy with my work and enjoy every minute of it.
We’d love to hear more about your business.
So I am a photographer and videographer in the San Diego area. I am well rounded in all styles of videos and are open to hearing someone’s vision. What I enjoy is taking that vision and figuring it out to make a finished product. For photography, I do both digital and film! If there any film photographers that need development or scanning of negatives you can contact me as well. I have shot anything from product photography to real estate, to engagements, and live events.
For videography, my foundation is in live events but I am well rounded in all styles of videos. My specialty is that I am an FAA Commercial Certified Drone Pilot (FAA Part 107) so I have the proper paperwork to fly drones as a business.
I have all of my equipment in the house and people are always welcome to contact me. I am most proud of how versatile my photo/video style is. A lot of different photographers stick to one style, like portraits, or videographers to weddings. I always knew that I didn’t want to commit to strictly one style. I have experience in narrative, documentary, event videography, etc. And full transparency, if there is a style that is new to me, I enjoy studying that style before hand and experimenting before the actual shoot to make sure the client is happy with the finished product!
What were you like growing up?
Growing up I was always involved in creativity. From music to the arts, you could always find me in that section of the school! I have always been extraverted and outgoing. People comment on my charisma and my ability to make people laugh and smile. I was in the band for ten years, I did ceramics, I had small businesses growing up doing wood working and resin moldings. I owe it all to my parents! They always supported what I did and they showed me that there are opportunities in the creative industry as long as you work at it and do good work. So if I had to describe myself growing up it would be CREATIVE.
Pricing:
- Videography/Photography: $125 an hour (Time includes the shoot and editing process) but price is situational to client and type of shoot
Contact Info:
- Address: 1125 Joshua Way Vista, CA
- Phone: 5629653451
- Email: ryandanielcallanta@gmail.com
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