Join the team!

Vertical Divider

We're looking for people who want to be a part of this project! We're looking for photographers, videographers, writers, graphic designers, etc. Even if you're not experienced, you can grow and learn with us!

Here's a little about us and why we're a part of this project...

Raymond Planas

Photographer / 
​videographer

Click below to see my favorite photos, videos, and gear!

Ray's Gallery

Jess Mijares

Photographer
​

Click below to see my food photography!

Coming Soon

Elijah Artaega

VIDEOGRAPHER
​

Click below to see my videography page!

Coming Soon

PHOTOGRAPHER/VIDEOGRAPHER

I'm Raymond Planas. "Every picture tells a story." I enjoy photography as a way to write new stories and as a motivation to see the beauty around me as I try to capture it in images/videos. I enjoy sports (football, 49ers, LAFC, Lakers, UNLV basketball), movies (action, sports, comedy), and hiking, among other things.
 
Why "Purposed Backgrounds"? It's a two-fold story. The first part is the literal meaning: the foreground/subject is the focus of a photo, but the background matters, because we are trying to tell someone's story. And the environment they're in is a part of that whole story. The second part is a more personal, figurative meaning. I believe that I have a purpose: that through my relationship with Christ, I can glorify God - that I am the imperfect background to His love and grace. That because God loves me and forgave me, I am empowered to extend that love and forgiveness to others. (1 John 4:19)

---

​PHOTOGRAPHER

Hello. My name is Jess Mijares. I am a firm believer and a follower of Jesus Christ and I am a photographer.

Photography has always been a passion of mine ever since I was a child. I remember picking up a camera for the first time sometime around the age of five and taking a good picture out of it. From then on, I always had thoughts and images in my head of how things would look like. But it
was different then. Point and shoot film photography is different. But my take away from that is how to compose an image before actually taking it. It made me look at things in a different perspective.

Currently I do have a food Instagram blog; I also do photography for the church every Sunday. Of course my main goal is to develop the skills that I have and use it to help the world be a better place, in my own little way. Part of my passion is food and it includes taking good pictures of it. At the same time helping out restaurants beyond the Las Vegas trip by promoting them and letting people know that there is a gastronomical experience beyond the Las Vegas strip.

---

PHOTOGRAPHY ASSISTANT/
​PHOTOGRAPHER

I'm Vanessa Vu. I'm a scientist by day, part-time rock climber, and full-time follower of Christ. I'm a big traveler and love to explore new places. I have this goal to side plank in every single city or country that I go to. 

I got into photography because I love the fact that one picture can tell a million words about something or someone. 

​As for my life, I put my faith in God and His plan for me. That's why my favorite verse is Jeremiah 29:11: "'For I know the plans I have for you,' declares the Lord, 'plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.'"

---

---

We are #VegasStrong. Our team is based in Las Vegas. On October 1st, 2017, our city changed forever. Our prayers go out to the victims, their familes and friends, as well as the medical professionals and first responders who have been helping those affected. We're changing the narrative - that the day will be remembered as the day that saw the Las Vegas community pour out love, hope, and kindness. Help us be a light in the darkness. Help us make Las Vegas a city of hope. 

There are many ways to help, one of which is to visit vegasstrong.org. And let us know if there is any way our team can help. 

We love because He first loved us.

​1 John 4:19