LUIS PEREZ ON CURIOSITY, CHAOS & CINEMATIC STORYTELLING

©Luis Perez
Luis Perez sees cinematography as a playground. What started with sketchbooks and a love for fine art quickly became a camera, a set, and endless experiments in light, color, and movement. From music videos with Tyler, the Creator to bold, instinct-driven visuals, Luis treats every project as an opportunity to explore, take risks, and follow curiosity wherever it leads. In this interview, he opens up about the collaborations, creative leaps, and moments of chaos that continue to shape his vision.

©Luis Perez
Can you tell us what inspired you to become a DOP?
To say I was inspired is a bit of a stretch in all honesty. I wanted to be a gallery artist but life had other plans. A friend and mentor director by the name of HYPE Williams pushed me to be a DP after working with him shooting stills on his sets while going to college. I fell in love with the art of cinematography because it was an opportunity to approach it with my fine art discipline.
You've been involved in creating music videos for various artists. How do you translate the essence of a song into a visual narrative?
Filmmaking in general is a collaborative process so it’s not exclusive to any one dept. It all starts with the concept and what the direction calls for. Within that space I try to take into account the general tone of the record and see how I can elevate what conceptually is there. Sometimes it’s about using a simple approach that’s grounded and makes the artist feel approachable say when shooting a song that speaks to issues related to street life or political. Other times you are tasked in creating something fantastical and ethereal when working with a pop artist with a soft sound. So you pull from art, movies or the natural world to create your lighting tone.
Can you tell us about a memorable collaboration with a musician that left a lasting impression on your approach to film work?
I’ve had a few but I’ll say the most that’s changed my overall approach has been Tyler. I think our collaborations have allowed me to experiment with lighting schemes and color palettes where other collaborators weren’t as adventurous. One of my early collaborations with Hype on Slim Thug “I Aint heard of that” gave me an opportunity to embrace natural lighting in a way that was freeing and visceral.

©Luis Perez
Are there certain genres of music that you find particularly inspiring or challenging for visual storytelling?
I think any opportunity to create regardless of genre is challenging. Every new situation presents something you may not have expected before. That’s the fun part. It keeps you on your toes. Its an added bonus if you like the music cause then you don’t get bored listening to a song repeatedly or stuck driving home singing something that you wish you could forget.
Please describe your work approach in a few words.
Panic mostly. But seriously its starts with the needs of the project. Once I figure out what the project is trying to say I just deep dive and find refs and everything that will help tell that story best.
You've done music videos for famous artists and commercials for big brands. Is there a celebrity or brand you would like to work with?
I’ll work with anyone be creatively curious. For me being a photographer, I think working with Leica or Hasselblad would be amazing. The history the beauty and workmanship they put into their camera and lenses would be amazing.
You also work a lot with Tyler, the Creator, how did that all start and what's it like working with him?
That started about 12 years ago by chance. Tara Razavi through Anthony Mandler called me up one day asking if I would shoot for this new indie artist who wanted to direct. I got on a call with Tyler Tara and his management and once I heard the concept for YONKERS I was all in. Working with Tyler is a dream. Its never a dull moment and it definitely a creative heaven.

©Luis Perez
In addition to your passion for photography, you also studied drawing. Are you still active in that field as well?
I draw on occasion but nothing I show in a gallery. I enjoy the process of studying life and light through drawing. Every new year’s eve I set up an easel and draw the into the new year as a way to meet the turnover in creativity.
What was your favorite project last year and why?
I’ve had a few projects that were great to be a part of. Shooting “sorry not sorry” was humbling due to the fact that the concept showed all those years of Tylers personas that I was part of showing visually. I had an opportunity to work Donald Glover and his brother and the rest of the writing team on a fun concept for 21 savage. To see him play savage and show that off as a visual that people thought was a real movie was fun.