About

Hello, my name is Gary Cruz. I started Amaze Studios in 1997 with some friends at a dot com startup. I always had a passion for video and special effects. In 2004, I got my first digital SLR and my photography and videography followed my life events from engagements to weddings.

In the beginning, I focused on photography because the gear to support that was much more accessible. Now that compute power has caught up with what can be created with my vision, I found the possibilities almost endless! My goal is to ensure that you and your organization is Amazed with my art.

My years of experience with photography, videography, lighting and sound helps me focus on the essence of the creative process and the feeling of a composition. As I look through the lens, I must always look deeper and try to understand the heart of things, the soul. It’s not so hard when I use my heart. All the good things in the world are made with love, and my work is not an exception.

I was born in 1975 in the Philippines, and since then, I have lived in Florida, California, and South Carolina since my father was in the US Air Force. An important part of my life was living in Germany where I got my first camera, a Kodak Instamatic. I was also started making videos with a Hi-8 video camera with friends.

I was brought over to the San Francisco Bay area during the dot com boom. I was the first webmaster for Hooked on Phonics.

I met my wife through Philippine Folk Dancing and we have two boys together. Other than computers and cameras, I also love cycling.