Meet Adam Rodrigues | Photographer/Videographer/Director

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

Hi Adam, we’d love to hear about how you approach risk and risk-taking.
Risks are subjective. The bigger picture is always at the forefront of the mind, but what are the short-term consequences? I look at risk as necessary if you want to get ahead and change your situation/surroundings.. A lot of people want opportunities and long for the life they want based on it. A saying I was told since I was little from my Dad comes to mind: “Time waits for no man, woman, or child.” Since time can’t wait, neither can we. We have to make our own opportunities in life to excel. To make our own opportunities, we need to take risks.

Risk has allowed me to step outside my comfort zone and see the areas in my life that were being held back by the fear of the unknown. Risk has also helped me develop more in my own as a person.

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.
My art. My photos and videos. I like to capture things from different perspectives. I first like to identify the narrative/story that’s being told and what style it needs to be showcased in. Every project and client is different, making being a photographer/videographer special. We are the storytellers and help bridge the gap between the vision and its audience. I have no formal training in this field, besides a few courses I’ve taken and the occasional seminar I’ll attend. I grew up in Southern California, skateboarding, hanging at the beach, going to shows, and playing in punk rock bands. All of the art that I submerged myself in and around this subculture of music and people rewired my mind and has profoundly affected how I view the world. Photography started off as a hobby to me after being enamored by local photographers’ pictures of abandoned places and settings. “I want to try that” type of attitude sprung to mind, and I’ve been on this journey behind the lens ever since. Learning how to excel creatively and professionally has been challenging, but my passion for pushing myself personally and creatively keeps me going. I’ve been gracious to have a few awesome people along the way help me out, and I do my best to help others along their journey as an artist, a new business owner, or just as a human being. Nothing that is done in this world needs to be done alone. We all struggle throughout our lives, and I feel that if we cared a little more about each other and helped out where we could, we could make this spinning rock even more beautiful.

To date, I would have to say music videos are my favorite mediums within my wheelhouse. I am just finishing filming and directing my tenth music video and am currently in the editing phase of this production. I love the storytelling aspect and how to tie the music into the narrative. Music has thousands of personalities and emotions in its arsenal. I get to decide how to arm the artist. This has also transferred into creating for my clients. What message are they puting out to the world, and how are we shouting it?

One thing I would like the world to know about art surrounding Photos and videos is..… the effort. What someone may see in a finished photograph or a video may have taken a lot longer than they realize. I have seen my work and other;s severly under valued. I did not originally intend to pick up a camera to make a livining. But also through a camera Ive been really shown my worth and abilites on what i have to offer. I will always know my worth.
There are many different levels to artists in their creative journey, but I promise you, they need your support and encouragement like a child needs their parents. Not just artists and creatives; we all ned to help support each other.

If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?
If I had a friend visiting Charlotte, I would definitely want to show them around the Plaza Midwood and NoDa neighborhood some other little spots around Center City.

For breakfast, we would either go to snooze am or Mattie‘s diner.
We might take a bike ride amongst the Greenway that goes throughout the different areas of Charlotte, maybe go to Crowder‘s Mountain out near Kings Mountain to hike or possibly go see a show at the milestone or snug Harbor. For dinner, we would either go to Que Onda tacos or Viva chicken. And of course you need ice cream in your life and we would have to go to the best ice cream in the Queen city, Two Scoops Creamery. But the OG location in Plaza Midwood, of course.

At some point, we would probably go to the discovery place in uptown and see one of their cool exhibits and possibly just people walk amongst uptown Charlotte .

Shoutout is all about shouting out others who you feel deserve additional recognition and exposure. Who would you like to shoutout?
I want to give a Shoutout to Marques Johnson. Just as a friend alone, he has made so many contributions to my life and my overall thought process. Even when I wasn’t thinking about working for myself, he pushed me and encouraged me to reach for the stars rather than settle for fireflies. Business-wise, hes taught me so much about standing your ground, listening to your customers’ needs, and pivoting when the time calls for it. Thanks Bro.

Also, to Joseph Prater. Someone who inspires me, pushes me creatively and also leads a great example of how talent and humbleness can co-exist. All around, he is a great dude and a great friend, and the world needs people like him in it. You can see us both having loud conversations on the greenway.

And indeed, Last but not least, My Brother Ryan. My actual brother, who had my back since day one, beat it and defended it. Someone who always pushed me to do better in what endeavor/career change/hobby/passion I pursued and generally wants the best for me while giving me hell every minute. A true brother, Husband, Father, and successful business owner. You inspire me, bro. more than you know.
DPH

Website: https://www.adamrodrigues.com

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

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/arodphotovideo/

Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@ARodfoto

Image Credits
All Photos taken by Adam Rodrigues.