BJ Pascual opens up about the pressures on putting up new material and becoming the best version of yourself

BJ Pascual, one of Tatler Asia’s Most Influential 2022 honourees, talks about his life in the creatives industry

There are household names in the creatives industry, but BJ Pascual will always ring a bell.

Born in Los Angeles, California and studied at New York’s Parsons School of Design, Fashion Institute of Technology, and the International Center for Photography, this Filipino photographer has been a mainstay in the Philippines’ popular and prestigious glossies for years. His Youtube account is progressively attracting a large number of viewers and followers.

Do not let BJ Pascual’s youth and playful demeanour mislead you into thinking he doesn’t take his work seriously. He earned his place on Tatler’s list of the region’s top young leaders under the age of 40 last 2021. Apart from being a fashion and lifestyle photographer, he’s also an author and an increasingly popular social media personality in his own right—appearing on several magazine covers himself and working with brands like Calvin Klein, Samsung, Gucci, Balenciaga, and Louis Vuitton.

What projects in the last two years that you are most proud of? Why?

BJ Pascual (BP): Two years ago, I started my YouTube channel because, for years, I’ve been getting so many requests for a follow-up to my 2015 book, PUSH: Muses, Mischief and How to Make It In Manila—more so during the lockdown. The enhanced community quarantine (ECQ) also gave me time to think things through.

I thought YouTube would be a great platform to expand the book into a different format to inspire a new generation of creatives and serve as a creative outlet since many magazines have stopped doing editorials, and I miss doing creative shoots.

BP: I have the most fun doing this monthly series called Musings, where I produce photoshoots, especially for the youtube channel with some of my favourite muses. The videos give an in-depth behind-the-scenes look at how each shoot was created, including the references, mood board, lighting, hair, and production design mixed with casual interviews with the month’s muse.

The goal of this series is to showcase the process of how my shoots work—that it isn’t purely fun and games. Yes, it’s fun, but deep thought and hard work go into each. The series has resulted in some images that I’m proud of, not just because of the numbers (the channel has over 25 million views and more than half a million subscribers), but, despite the pandemic and limited resources, we still get to produce images that we can be proud of.

My favourite part is when followers recreate the shoots after each episode. I guess, that means the photography resonates with and inspires them to create—and that’s priceless.

What challenges do you see now in your respective industry? How do you intend to help address these challenges?

BP: Social Media has become an essential part of creatives’ businesses. Nowadays, with how social media is evolving into so many different formats, there’s constant pressure to keep up by putting out new material. The key is to find your own pace where you can still produce quality content with the quantity needed.

What can you say to those who like to follow in your footsteps?

BP: I always say this to any photographer who desires to enter the industry: your vision is your ammunition. Work towards having a distinct point of view. Thousands of photographers might have the same camera, equipment, and even technical knowledge, but your vision and ideas will separate you from the rest.

Who do you look up to for guidance, inspiration, or mentorship?

BP: I never had a photography mentor, but I always say my mentor is one of my muses, Georgina Wilson. She taught me so much, not just about my career but in all aspects of life. She pushed me to become the best version of myself.

What are your plans for the coming years and what keeps you going?

BP: Hopefully do more work abroad, and maybe another book!

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