From quiet moments with his Traveler's Notebook to dynamic days on set, Javier approaches his craft with a sense of curiosity, heart, and intention. We’ve been lucky to witness his thoughtful presence firsthand during the making of our BK documentary, and sat down with him to learn more about the early memories, analogue tools, and daily rituals that keep his creative spirit flowing. - Eunice
BK: Javier, thank you so much for taking the time to share your story with us. If you had to describe your life journey so far in just a few lines, what would you say?Where did it begin, and what brought you to where you are now?
Javier: Wow, let's just dive right in, haha! I’ll try to be brief. If I had to boil it down, my life’s journey has been about searching for my own voice. Failing to find it. Searching again. Failing more. And learning to be okay with carrying on anyway.
BK has this slogan: “The journey is the destination.” That always rang true with me. Because what I’ve really discovered isn’t some grand answer, it’s just the willingness to keep searching, and to stay curious.
One of my earliest memories is watching a childhood friend obsessively fill notebooks with drawings. I’d sit across from him, trying to emulate every line he made (badly, of course). But there was something mesmerizing about the way he pulled images straight out of his mind onto the page. I wanted to do that too.
Fast forward, years later, that’s what I do for a living (sorta). Funny how those small moments echo long after they’re gone.
BK: We are so inspired by your photography / cinematography! What first drew you to the camera? Was there a moment or experience that ignited your passion?
Javier: My father is an artist and craftsman, self-taught mostly. When he was young, he used to draw portraits of himself and his family. One of those self-portraits still hangs in my parents’ house, and I find myself drawn to it whenever I visit. You can see the pencil strokes so clearly, the shading he did to create depth. Each line traced over and over, growing more confident with every pencil stroke. He captured his own face with such raw youth and curiosity. I’ve always loved how he captured his expression.
Maybe that’s why, when I first picked up a camera, all I wanted to do was shoot portraits. There’s something about the human face—the way it tells a story without saying a word.
Later, in school, I’d linger outside the darkroom during art class, watching the photography students develop their film. I longed to try it myself, but I was never allowed. I guess that left an impression on me. Funny how those early moments stick with you. My father’s pencil strokes, the forbidden darkroom. There was an artist hiding inside me, waiting to emerge!
BK: It has been such a joy to see you in action at BK Studio as you film this special documentary with us. How did this project come to life?
Javier: The first time I heard about BK, it was only a whisper. A friend leaned in and asked if I knew about the stationery store that opened just one day a week for a few hours. It felt like stumbling on a secret, a message in a bottle known only to a select few. A few weeks later I visited the studio in Altadena. Stepping inside felt like entering a sanctuary.
The air was cool, scented with incense, and relaxing. I loved the aprons you all wore— really made it feel like I was in an analog workshop. Every product seemed to echo with care, delicately placed on shelves, arranged with intention by a thoughtful mind. It was unmistakable: Someone poured love into this place. You could feel it everywhere.
At first, I was nervous to talk to Wakako. But when I finally did, she was so warm, so open. On my second visit, I bought a traveler’s journal. I’m not even sure why I needed it—I just knew Idid. From that moment on, it became my companion: every morning, I’d write at least one page, mapping out my days and months in those carefully crafted inserts. It was my Indiana Jones’ diary that held my secrets. Something I carried with pride, a conversation starter with kindred spirits and analog enthusiasts who recognized the magic.
But it was the BK "Love Letter" that really gave me the push to capture the BK story. There was an honesty and vulnerability there. Filmmaking, for me, is like painting a portrait—it’s about uncovering the soul of the subject. Not just the shop that I frequent on Sundays, but the people behind it. The heartbeat of it all. Who made it? Why? For whom?
BK: As someone so immersed in a visual world, what are the analogue artifacts that ground or inspire you? We would love to hear how they play a role in your daily rhythm, both personally and professionally.
Javier: Great question. I have 3. The first is my traveler's journal. I start every day planning my day in the weekly insert to give myself a checklist to complete. It feels wonderful checking items off the list.
The second is my fountain pen. Right now I use a TWSBI Diamond 580 as my EDC. I have a couple highlighters that help build the checklists in the weekly planner to add some flavor, otherwise, straight black ink does the trick. Nothing too fancy.
Lastly, my sling bag ties everything together. It keeps me organized and ready to move when I want to leave the house, go to a meeting, or coffee shop to relax and focus. I used to feel like I had to fill it up with “stuff”, however, I found that less is more.
Bonus item, iPad – I didn’t want to include a device, but it has helped me a lot, especially on set quickly pulling up creative decks and lighting diagrams.
BK: What is one unexpected analogue artifact that you always have with you on set?
Javier: There’s a company that makes cup holders you clamp to a light stand or tripod on set. It’s become one of my favorite pieces of gear when I’m filming. No misplacing your keys, phone, water bottles anymore. It feels incomplete to be on set without it now. I can always find my personal items and locate my water bottle.
BK: How do you personally measure a successful shoot or project?
Javier: Great question. The quick answer is, when it feels good. There's a moment that usually comes after the first shot of the day when you can feel the rhythm of the crew begin to form and almost immediately you can feel how the day is going to go. When the rhythm is right, and everyone is moving at the same speed, I find a way to keep everyone smiling and having a good time. I like when people are having fun working, so I try to bring that out in the crew while staying focused.
BK: Can you recall a particularly challenging endeavor and how you navigated it? What did it teach you?
Javier: When the opportunity arose for me to shoot my first feature film seven years ago, it was exciting and daunting. I had lots of experience, but not as the Director of Photography on a feature. I had no idea how to get started, so I met up with another cinematographer who I trusted and talked through his process. It was a huge help to get me organized and begin the approach to breaking down a script and developing my own process. It’s the fun part that rarely anyone gets to see. We see the final products and make judgements based on how we felt about it, the good, the bad and the ugly, but we rarely get to see the beginning stages. What I learned was everyone starts from roughly the same place. Experience can streamline our process, but that comes with time. Almost everyone is scared to death at first, haha!
BK: Beyond the camera lens, what helps you recharge? Are there personal rituals or quiet moments that keep you rooted in what matters?
Javier: Taking walks with my wife (and now our dog) is such a great way to recharge. We made it a regular activity to walk to a local coffee shop and talk about life and what we have on our calendars for the coming days and weeks. My wife, Geenah, has the power to keep me grounded, especially when I start to feel stressed or begin losing my balance. We have been able to schedule weekly dates at a new or favorite restaurant. Treating ourselves is something we mentioned in our vows. No matter what, we’re going to date each other and have fun, regardless of what life throws at us. It’s wonderful having a partner to share life with.
BK: Looking ahead, are there certain new storytelling approaches you're eager to experiment? Any dream collaborations on the horizon?
Javier: One of my dreams is to have one of my films premiere at a big festival like Sundance. That would be a wonderful thing. There are so many places I dream of filming. There is a little island not far from Yemen called Socotra. It looks like something out of a Dr. Seuss book. The trees are other worldly. That would be dream come true to film in. Manifesting it now - you heard it first.
BK: Okay, you know we have to ask. If you created a film about your life, what would its title be?
Javier: This is the hardest question I've ever been asked, haha! Can I use a lifeline? My wife says it should be called “When Javi Met Geenah”.
Where to find Javier:
Website: www.javierdp.com
Instagram: @javierruizdp
Bk Artifacts Featured:
- [TRC] Traveler's Notebook // Blue
- [TRC] 019 // Weekly + Memo
- [TRC] 017 // Monthly (Alternative option to the 2025 dated version shown)
- [BK Brass Plate] Ichigo Ichie
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