Jose Villa has been named one of the top photographers in the world and is known internationally for his breathtaking work. Chad and I are lucky enough to be able to say that he was our wedding photographer and are even luckier to call him a friend. Jose and his work have been an inspiration to me for many years. His images are soft, beautiful, and the color and light he captures will make anyone swoon! He has changed the way our industry views film, wedding photography and has been a huge influence on my work. 
 
Chad and I were also lucky enough to attend Jose's workshop last November in Guadalajara, Mexico where he graciously shared insights to his success. His workshop inspired us on a whole new level and helped me to learn more about myself as an artist. Jose recently released the dates for this year's Mexico Workshop (Nov 07-11, 2011), which I think is already sold out...but I encourage all of you to check out the Jose Villa Workshops site and put your name on the waiting list. It's an absolutely extraordinary experience that will leave you feeling refreshed, inspired, and in touch with your work and your craft.  
 
After a year of waiting to show our wedding images I was so excited to share them and see them featured in the June issue of BRIDES as well on Style Me Pretty last week. If you missed them you can see them here and here. 
 
And as a special treat for everyone, I recently asked Jose if he would mind answering a few questions that I have always wanted to ask him. They are simple questions that I thought many other photographers who are inspired by him may be wondering as well. Being ever gracious, Jose agreed to answer... 
 
Not only did Jose give a great interview below, but also offered to give away a signed copy of his new book Fine Art Wedding Photography to one of our lucky readers who leaves a comment below!!  
 
To Enter:  
Simply leave a comment below, say hello and share your thoughts! It's that easy! We will be choosing a random winner this Thursday June 2nd at 5pm EST and you will be notified via email if you are the lucky winner! Can I enter my own giveaway? I want one too!!!  
xoxo 

Here is our interview... 
Me: What does a typical 'day in the life of Jose' look like? 
 
Jose: I'm an early bird, I usually get up at about 7 am, get ready, feed the dogs then get to my home gallery (which is 
just up stairs) and start working away at about 8 am. Emails are the first plan of attack, then it's the phone calls, 
the in person meetings.. a lunch break with my staff and Joel of Joel Serrato films, we then walk the dogs after lunch 
in the common areas behind our home. Then back to the office to work images, albums etc.. then a photo shoot right 
before sunset .. Love the CA light. 
 
Me: What is the one thing you can't live without in your business? 
 
Jose: I would have to say having a great photo lab to process, scan and print my photos. Since I shoot 100% film, I need a 
reliable lab and one that I see as a partner, and one that can help me succeed and vise versa. Without them I might have 
to shoot digital and that thought makes me sad... 
 
Me: You shoot A LOT, how do you stay fresh and prevent burn out? 
 
Jose: Yes, I do shoot a lot, but I shoot what I want to be shooting. For instance, I never shoot an engagement session where I'm not inspired. 
I suggest locations to my clients and I have them come to me, then I take them to areas I know have amazing light and 
backdrops. it's my playground and I do best here. 
 
Me: How do you handle the times when you're not feeling creative? (if that ever happens :)...) 
 
Jose: Oh believe me it totally happens.. you have to just pull through and set the bar high for yourself each time. I always say 
shoot one for thee and one for me. What I mean is that we all have the clients that want us to shoot in an area they 
love, or maybe its a pose they like or a historic location they want to stand in.. Ok, well these sorts of situations do not inspire me, 
but I do one for thee (the client) since of course they are hiring me, but then I challenge myself and do one for me where I turn the 
whole idea my clients want and shoot in that same area, but with my spin on it.. and 99% of the time my clients will LOVE what 
I did and my spin on their idea of a nice location, or pose etc. What I'm trying to say is find ways to inspire yourself and your 
clients by taking on challenges and thinking fast in situations that aren't inspiring, make them inspiring. 
 
Me: Having accomplished so much already at such a young age, what are the goals you are reaching for now? 
 
Jose: Oh thats a good one. Well, I've always loved editorial work for magazines in a more lifestyle way of shooting. I would love to 
shoot 30 weddings a year and shoot some editorial as well. I have already started to do this, but I really want to be asked 
by some of the best to work on assignments with them. 
 
Me: Recently the wedding trends have included wedding blogs, inspirational shoots and styled engagement sessions. Where do you see the industry heading next? 
 
Jose: Oh man, I'm not sure.. Im actually waiting to see where it takes us, but really in the end everything always tends to come 
full circle. Keep it organic and timeless and your images will withstand the test of time, stop over doing photo shoots and applying 
the coolest action to your digital images. All of that stuff is trendy and it will die off in no time, keep it simple and classy. 
 
Me: Who's work inspires you?  
 
Jose: I'm inspired by photographers like Mary Ellen Mark and Henri Cartier-Bresson 
 
Me: We were so grateful to have you be our wedding photographer. Is shooting a photographer's wedding different than shooting a regular wedding? If so, in what way? 
 
Jose: I shoot all weddings the same as I would a photographer's wedding, the only difference is the stress factor.. ha! Mostly, just knowing that the client knows exactly how and what Im shooting keeps me on my toes. It's such an honor to be invited and sometimes I over think it, so I try to just fall back on my skills and let instinct take over.  
 
Me: Lastly, what was your favorite feature, image or detail from our (Chad and KT's) wedding? 
 
Jose: Oh, I LOVED the barn with the amazing back drop of the mountains, location is key when planning a stunning original event. The ranch where KT and Chad were married inspired me to think outside of my normal thinking since it was in a new, fresh area I have never photographed before. One of the most stunning locations I have photographed in years! 
 
To see more of Jose Villa's Work click here and don't forget to leave a comment below for your chance to win a signed copy of Jose's new book! Thank you Jose and good luck readers!!!