When you look up and see the clouds rolling in, as the Big Beautiful Storm creeps closer, threatening to steal the last remnants of hope—it's time to turn to those who hold our future: the young, the brave, and the artists. Justin Hernandez's photography captures just that—the raw, unfiltered truth. It’s the truth (our humanity) we so desperately need that slashes through the lies swirling all around us.

Are you capturing reality or creating it one shutter click at a time?

I would like to think that through photography, I’m capturing my reality, showing the world how I see it through my unique perspective. It's always been a way to ground myself in the moment, especially when I’ve been struggling. Over time, photography has helped me find not only clarity but also joy in small details, in fleeting light, and genuine connection.

Do you take pictures to remember the moment — or because you're afraid it will disappear?

I take photos to return to moments. Images have the unique ability of bringing us back to times we might otherwise forget, reminding us of quiet details, and preserving time in that instant.

When you photograph someone, are you capturing them — or just who they were for that split second?

I think I’m capturing who they were in that split second, the emotions they felt, the energy they carried, the version of themselves that existed only in that moment.

Photos by Justin Hernandez

Are you chasing light — or are you being led by it?

I would say I'm chasing light.

If your thoughts are silent conversations with yourself, who’s really doing the talking?

Honestly, I have no idea where these conversations and thoughts come from, and I don’t think anyone really does. Plus, the mystery of it all is kinda fun anyway.

If everyone is the main character in their story, are we all just extras in each other's lives?

We are just extras or side characters in other people's lives. Everyone around you lives deeply complex lives that we don't know about because we can never be them.

Photos by Justin Hernandez

If Jeff Bezos offered you a free ticket to space, but you had to whisper 'I love you' to the spaceship before launch and pose like a space model for endless Instagram content — would you still go?

I just don’t like Jeff Bezos so I would say no.

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Justin Hernandez

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