In the “The Stars Behind the Star” franchise, the editors of Billboard Latin and Billboard Español share stories that have not yet been told about those who are not usually in the spotlight. Think “everything you don’t see on camera” or “everything that happens behind the scenes.” These unsung heroes are essential to an artist’s team and their foundation. Today, we highlight celebrity photographer Jose “Chepe” DeVillegas.
Born in Bridgeport, Connecticut, and proudly raised by his Puerto Rican Mother and his half-Cuban and half-Puerto Rican father, he feels himself very Puerto Rican.
Jose “Chepe” DeVillegas, commonly known as “Chepe” in the entertainment industry, has gained the love and trust of many within the field. He has photographed well-known artists such as Ivy Queen, Don Omar, Julián Gil and Natti Natasha. Chepe has also covered all the Latin music red carpets and conducted special photoshoots for various media outlets including Univision, Telemundo and Billboard, as well as numerous concerts over the years.
In October, he was part of this year’s Billboard Latin Music Week, creating a behind the scenes visual experience with Billboard’s Chief Content Officer for Latin and Español, Leila Cobo.
“I think it’s fascinating to be with Leila and see how she connects from a Young Miko to Alejandro Sanz, to Pepe Aguilar. And I don’t see that all the time. I think it It is very unique and special, her footprint in the Latin music industry. And I think that she has a lot of respect from generations of artists, from the new ones to the icons,” DeVillegas adds about this experience.
In the live music performances and entertainment industry, many elements come together, and numerous details are meticulously managed behind each concert, tour and festival. In an interview with Billboard, Jose “Chepe” shared his insights into the behind-the-scenes process of creating captivating experiences and memorable moments.
Who was the first celebrity you photographed?
I always tell people my godfather in this is Julián Gil. I didn’ t know much about his career because the last soap opera I saw was “Marimar.” So, I know that he did several soap operas, but I never saw any of them. But during the very high political time in Puerto Rico in 2019, I was always seeing him all the time, you know, on social media, on YouTube. Then I heard that they were having a play in Orlando and I told the promoters because at that time I was already taking the market in Orlando and I told them, look, when you see this figure, I want to be the photographer because I know they are very strong.
So, they gave me access to everything and every time they wanted to see the camera, they paused and I said, “Ah, this one does like the camera.” Then he approached me because he suddenly looked at me like, I didn’ t approach him or anything. This is a strategy that I’ ve always had. Kind of like mirroring the client. If they talk to you, you talk to them.
So, Julián approached me and said: “I want to see the photos.” And I showed him the pictures on my camera. It was a play that he did. So, after the play, he came up to me and asked me. So, I showed him, and he said, ‘ Wow, so good.’ Send it. I said, ‘ Okay, great.’ So, I sent it to him. Right away, he started following me. And he posted the pictures right away and tagged me. And after that he took me to every station in Orlando, every TV station, introduced me to everybody as his friend and photographer.
How difficult is it to gain trust in the industry?
I know there are many, many better than me. But I know I’m only one, you know? I’ m my own, there’ s nobody else like me. And I like connecting with people to the, depending, you know, on how far that can, they allow or the connection that we have together. I’ m interested in showing people what they want to show the people. And I want to protect their image. And I think when the artist realizes that, that you don’ t want to harm them, they lower their guards.
So, I try to make them feel good and I see how they flow and I, you know, I can adapt. And I respect them and I, you know, and I make sure I get respect.
Who have been your biggest inspirations?
A lot of photographers that maybe were getting the jobs that I wanted hmm and two of them that I kept coming up a lot was Alex Tamargo and his dad and his brother; they all work in the industry. So, I would see, if you know, see a great photo, it would say ‘Photo by Alex Tamargo’ all the time. And I tried to follow him. And I remember I would write him stories and say, oh, man. Okay, I’ m going to work with you. Your photos are great. He was really kind. And then the same was with Omar Cruz. Let’ s say, people en Español magazine or like Charytín will post a throwback photo that was iconic. It will always say Omar Cruz.
