About Joseph Dominguez | What I like
JOE STARTED OUT AS A CHILD, growing-up in Santa Barbara, playing in the endless avocado and citrus orchards, most of which are no longer there. As a teenager he discovered two things that changed his life: Surfing and images. Since about that time his work has been a powerful mix of both photography and design. He became aware of the power of the visual medium during his sophomore year at San Marcos High School in Mrs. Measley's Mass Media class. She revealed to him that every medium carries a message, and every message has a purpose. Joe has been fascinated with image-crafting ever since.
WORKING as an art director and designer for more than 2 decades, photography has always been part of his creative exploration, whether for clients or personally. In 2005 he began marketing his photography skills specializing in personal portraits and commercial assignments. In every image there is clear evidence of his honed design vernacular and his search for the perfect composition. He started JOSEPH DOMINGUEZ PHOTOGRAPHY in 2006.
INSPIRATION can come at any moment from anywhere. Things like a found scrap of paper on the street, historical photos, old films, nature, surfing, books, thrift stores and just old-fashioned imagination. There is never a substitute for the great images of the world and those who make them. The standouts are heros/friends/mentors like Mark Gordon, Barry Goyette, Patrick Demarchelier and Richard Avedon. These guys have added untold measures of knowledge and inspiration to the work of Joseph Dominguez.
FORMAL EDUCATION comes from Cal Poly. The Cal Poly Art and Design Program was crucial to his foundation as a visual artist and the intense work load of the program primed him to manage his very demanding professional calendar. Joe graduated with an applied art and design degree.