This weeks highlighted photographer is Jose Villa of Jose Villa Photo. A Brooks Institute graduate, Jose makes his home in Solvang, CA.

What is your primary camera body?

Medium Format Contax 645

Two lenses you use the most:

With my Contax I use the 80mm 2.0 and for my Canons I Love the 24-70mm 2.8

Do you shoot RAW?

I shoot RAW FILM Baby!!!

How would you describe your photography style?

I would consider my work to be more of a Fine Art approach as well as a more lifestyle look. I love the moments captured at a wedding. As I tell photographers all the time " I love to compose my images and not just take them."

Do you normally employ assistants or 2nd shooters?

I have an assistant that goes with me to weddings. If I need a second shooter or maybe a third I will hire great friends of mine I met while at Brooks Institute of Photography. They all are Pro. Wedding Photographers in Santa Barbara now.

What do you remember about your first (or one of your first) wedding?

Well I remember thinking this is too much fun!! Except when it came down to the family portraits.. then it was more like.. "this sucks". That was 5 years ago.. now I love every second of it. Even the Family Photos ;)

If you were getting married this year, who would you want to shoot your wedding?

Ummm, a ton of photographers.. lets see.. Meg Smith, Liz Banfield, Mallory Samson, Elizabeth Messina, or John Dolan.

What advice would you give to someone just beginning their career as a wedding photographer?

Don't follow what every other photographer is doing. Create a nitch and hammer that in, soon you will be a busy photographer. As long as you are a great person and a great photographer you will succeed. No questions asked!! Best to you.. call me if you wanna chat.. ;)