Jorge Peniche is the man to go to in LA if you’re a world-famous rapper or a beautiful model. At twenty one years old, he’s emerged in only a few short years as one of the West Coast’s most in-demand photographers.

Painting an honest picture of the many faces of Los Angeles, Jorge’s affinity for the city is borne out in his images – “I love Los Angeles because it’s such a unique city, rightfully in its own lane. The elements that exist in our culture our so diverse, many of the people who live here for the most part are transplants from other cities around the world. I paint the picture of the issues we face in LA such as poverty, sex, glamour, gangs, success, and struggle.”

At eighteen, through a series of encounters with industry individuals, Jorge got his first big break shooting rapper The Game, and has gone on to shoot such artists as Ice Cube, Lil’ Wayne and Ne-yo. Where from here? “I’ve been blessed with many opportunities to link up with some major hitters in the game, but I believe I’ve only touched the tip of the ice berg. I love hip-hop music and I owe a great deal of my current success to it. There is definitely a unique dynamic to the industry that has allowed me to partake in it, and for that reason I’m forever loyal to the hip-hop game. The next steps from here are to branch out into other genres of music and photography. I’d like to be the photographer that can be shooting in the Rolling 60s in South Central L.A. one day, and the next day be in St. Tropez shooting beautiful high-fashion models.”

There is of course another, more elusive, modern icon that is on Jorge’s list for the future. “I would love to photograph President Barack Obama, he’s such an inspirational individual and his swagger is off the charts.”

Recognising the internet as a vitally important platform for his art and business, Jorge is yet mindful of the primacy of quality content – “At the end of the day you can have a million dollar site, but if you work isn’t up to par the people will let you know. I make sure I come correct in both my work and presentation via the internet, and this has proven very effective for me.”

You can in find and book Jorge at www.jorgepeniche.com, and contact him here.

Tags: hip hop, jorge, LA, peniche, photographer, rapper, the game