Meet Julio Cesar Flores

 

Alright – so today we’ve got the honor of introducing you to Julio Cesar Flores. We think you’ll enjoy our conversation, we’ve shared it below.

Julio , thank you so much for taking the time to share your lessons learned with us and we’re sure your wisdom will help many. So, one question that comes up often and that we’re hoping you can shed some light on is keeping creativity alive over long stretches – how do you keep your creativity alive?

Creativity, for me, isn’t something that just happens, it’s something I actively nurture. One of the biggest lessons I’ve learned is from a quote that Pablo Picasso said, “Inspiration exists, but it has to find you working”. Creativity doesn’t come from waiting for inspiration to strike; it comes from engaging with the world, staying curious, and constantly creating, even when I don’t feel inspired.

One way I fuel my creativity is by exploring different forms of art, not just photography and cinematography, but also film, painting, literature, and music. Watching movies with a critical eye, paying attention to lighting, framing, and movement, helps me see new ways to tell stories visually. I often revisit the works of directors like Andrei Tarkovsky, David Lynch, and Emmanuel Lubezki, who use light and atmosphere in ways that deeply inspire me.

But beyond consuming art, paying attention to life itself is one of the most important ways I stay creative. Inspiration is everywhere, it’s in the way light hits a building at sunset, in the way people interact when they don’t know they’re being watched, in fleeting moments of emotion that tell a whole story without words. I try to observe the details others might overlook. A shadow falling in a particular way, the movement of fabric in the wind, or the quiet solitude of a person lost in thought, these moments fuel my work.

I also believe that stepping away from work is just as important as creating. Sometimes, the best thing I can do to stay inspired is to disconnect, take a walk, travel, immerse myself in different cultures, or simply let my mind wander. Creativity needs space to breathe, and when I allow myself that freedom, ideas tend to come naturally.

Let’s take a small detour – maybe you can share a bit about yourself before we dive back into some of the other questions we had for you?

I am Julio Cesar Flores, a cinematographer, fashion photographer, and artist photographer who sees storytelling as more than just a craft, it’s an emotional experience captured through light, movement, and composition. My work lives at the intersection of cinema, fashion, and fine art, where every frame, whether in film or photography, is designed to evoke something real. In the world of fashion, I strive to create editorials that are more than just visually striking; they tell stories, bring characters to life, and explore emotion through style. My work has been published in international magazines like Vigour Magazine and Artells Magazine. My love for capturing raw emotion extends to artist photography, where I’ve had the privilege of photographing global musicians like Olivia Rodrigo, Sofía Reyes, and Piso 21—a full-circle moment, as working with international artists has always been a dream of mine.

In film, I aim to make the unseen visible, shaping atmosphere and emotion through cinematography. “Ikigai”, a short film I worked on as Director of Photography, was not only screened at the TCL Chinese Theatre in Hollywood but also won multiple awards. Another project, “The Alley,” tackled themes of race and allyship, gaining recognition at Urban Film Festival and Voice Rising Film Festival. I’ve also manage to do cinematography for fashion short-films for Vogue India and Harpers Bazaar Mexico

Right now, I’m diving deeper into experimental cinematography and conceptual photography, exploring new ways to push the boundaries of visual storytelling. Whether through film, fashion, or portraiture, my goal remains the same: to make people feel something, to create images that linger in the mind long after they’ve been seen.

Looking back, what do you think were the three qualities, skills, or areas of knowledge that were most impactful in your journey? What advice do you have for folks who are early in their journey in terms of how they can best develop or improve on these?

Looking back, the three most impactful aspects of my journey have been following my instincts, an obsession with light, and the ability to connect with people. Each has played a crucial role in shaping my career, allowing me to evolve, refine my craft, and build meaningful collaborations.

Following my instincts has been essential in navigating the creative industry. Some of the best decisions I’ve made, whether taking on an unconventional project, experimenting with a new style, or collaborating with unexpected creatives, came from trusting my gut. The industry doesn’t come with a roadmap, and sometimes, you have to take risks, even when there’s no guarantee of success. My advice to emerging creatives is to trust their artistic voice, embrace uncertainty, and be bold in their choices, because the most unique work often comes from instinct, not logic.

My obsession with light has also been a defining factor in my work. Light isn’t just about illumination, it creates emotion, sets the tone, and transforms an image. Studying the way light interacts with subjects, whether in film or photography, has allowed me to develop my own visual language. For anyone starting out, train your eyes to see light everywhere, study how it changes throughout the day, and experiment with different lighting conditions to understand its full power.

Lastly, the ability to connect with people has been invaluable. Some of my most exciting projects, like working with Olivia Rodrigo, Sofía Reyes, and Piso 21, or shooting for Vigour Magazine, Vogue, and Harpers Bazaar , came from meaningful creative relationships. Surrounding yourself with inspiring individuals pushes your work forward. My advice is to be present in creative spaces, collaborate, and build relationships that go beyond just networking. Creativity thrives in shared experiences, and the best opportunities often come from the people you surround yourself with.

Through all of this, patience has been key. Success doesn’t happen overnight, and every challenge is part of the process. Keep shooting, keep learning, and most importantly, keep creating!

One of our goals is to help like-minded folks with similar goals connect and so before we go we want to ask if you are looking to partner or collab with others – and if so, what would make the ideal collaborator or partner?

Absolutely, I’m always looking to collaborate with creatives who are passionate about storytelling, visual art, and pushing creative boundaries. Whether in fashion photography, cinematography, or conceptual projects, I thrive in environments where ideas are exchanged, where different artistic visions come together to create something unique and meaningful.

I’m particularly interested in working with fashion designers, stylists, makeup artists, models, and brands who are looking for more than just images, they want to tell a story through their visuals. In the film world, I’m eager to collaborate with directors, production designers, and creatives who value strong cinematography and want to develop immersive, emotionally driven narratives. I’m also open to working with musicians and artists, capturing their essence in ways that go beyond traditional portrait photography.

If you’re someone who believes in the power of visual storytelling and is excited about experimenting, breaking norms, and crafting cinematic, bold, and emotionally resonant visuals, I’d love to connect. You can reach out to me through:

📸 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/julio_alfilms/
📧 Email: [email protected]

Let’s create something unforgettable together.

Contact Info:

Image Credits

All photos with a film camera are of me (Julio Cesar Flores)

Women singing:
Photo of The change(latina singer)
Model: The Change
Photo by: Julio Cesar Flores

Photo of Olivia in white background:
Model: Olivia Rodrigo
Photo by: Julio Cesar Flores

Suggest a Story: BoldJourney is built on recommendations from the community; it’s how we uncover hidden gems,
so if you or someone you know deserves recognition please let us know here.
Leadership Development
Where does your self-discipline come from?

One of the most essential skills for unlocking our potential is self-discipline. We asked some

Productivity
Tactics & Strategies for Keeping Your Creativity Strong

With the rapid improvements in AI, it’s more important than ever to keep your creativity

Productivity
Working hard in 2025: Keeping Work Ethic Alive

While the media might often make it seem like hard work is dead and that