Jesus Ortiz, with his distinctive and recognizable photographic style, was the overall winner of the Cape Fear Living Photographer for 2024. His beautiful captures, which he posts almost daily on his Instagram feed @noahj_or, is a testament to his creative use of color and perspective and has garnered him a loyal following in Wilmington. His unique approach gives us an extraordinary view of our coastline through his lens.
Tell us about your background and how you got into photography.
I was born in Mexico, but I now live in Wilmington. I work as a photographer and also a cook at Indochine Restaurant. I bought my first Nikon D90 in 2006 but never used it - I wonder why I even bought it? My son Noah was born in 2013, and we moved from Santa Fe, New Mexico, to Wilmington after he turned one. As Noah grew, I remembered that I had that camera somewhere in the house, so I started using it to save memories of him forever. I started to study the camera and editing software, upgraded and bought a better camera, and decided to give my first camera to Noah. I began shooting landscapes and experimenting with different perspectives and colors, part of my signature style. It was a very fast development, and I wanted more and more, buying filters, lenses, and cameras. Many photographers started asking me questions and asking for advice. My friend Gannon Medwick helped me a lot, sharing my photographs on his local TV show. A great friend and photographer told me colour and night photos are your things so take advantage of them, so I did. Photographers ask me if I can give them a critique of their work, but someone else needs to do that. I don't like criticizing the work of my colleagues; I don't feel like a professional photographer or better than anyone else. It's just me, my camera, and my son following my steps and enjoying what I do.
How would you define your photographic style?
I don't think I have a defined style. I can do many different styles and not all the photos I take are the same after I edit them. I like to exploit the colors without exaggerating them, but also need black and white and natural colors. It really just depends on the photo I’ve taken. Although I do think I’m closer to long exposures and painting with flash, that is what I do the most.
What do you love about living and photographing along the Carolina coast?
I was born and raised in a dry desert city far from the sea. I lived in downtown Wilmington for 7 years and loved walking along the river and downtown. I fell in love with this city and its sunsets instantly. I am not a sunny beach person. I prefer sunrises on the beach or sunsets when there are fewer people.
Are you working on any photographic projects?
I would love to have my own gallery downtown, where people can see my work in person. It would be very different from seeing it through social media and on websites. Another project is travelling and exploring other countries and cultures, but for now, I’ll stay focused on the present. Life changes, and maybe my projects will be different in the future.
When you're not taking pictures, what do you like to do?
I spend my days off with my son, spending time with him, walking, talking, playing video games, and being the father I never had. God gives us the opportunity to do things right, so I'm enjoying him.
3 Songs on your current playlist.
Omg, this sounds like a very simple question, but I think it's the hardest. I'm a Mexican, and I don't like any Mexican music. I was a former DJ and drummer, and I always listen to heavy metal and classic rock, but I think my top 3 would be:
Christopher Cross -"Arthur's Theme" (yup, that's weird.)
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