Rafael Rivera creates high resolution aerial pictures by shooting hunreds of photos, and then piecing them together like that of an intricate puzzle. In this way, his pictures offer a new perspective with the magnificent virtual viewpoint of extreme distance, and at the same time capturing the grandeur of extreme detail. Instead of limiting his pictures to a bird's eye view, he uses the helicopter as an extension to his tripod; this allows for more freedom in finding the perfect angles to shoot. One of his most important achievments was when his pictures where displayed for an entire year in 500 Southwest airline terminals around the country. Also, The Best Western inn by The Sea in La Jolla has his aerial pictures in every single guestroom. And most recently, Rafael was invited to speak at a TEDX event in La Jolla.

Rafael was born in El Banco, Colombia in 1975 and was raised partially in Colombia and in Montclair New Jersey. He graduated from William Paterson University in Wayne New Jersey where he obtained a BFA with a concentration in animation and photography in 2005. In early 2006 he began taking helicopter flights to ad a unique perspective to his pictures. Today he has acumulated a large body of work mostly concentrated in the Southern California Coast.

Background and Training
Graduated with a BFA from William Paterson University - May 2005
Has been creating digital computer artwork since 1999.

Exhibitions and Festivals
Carnaval of Barranquilla Photo Exibit, Houston Community College, Houston Texas, 2011
Primer Encuentro Fotografico GraphX/Fuji, Cancun Quintana Roo, Mexico 2006
La Jolla Digital, The Village gallery, La Jolla California, 2006
MetroCaf, Metropolitan College Animation Film Festival, New York City, 2003

Awards Honors and Recognition
TEDxLaJolla Cutting Edge Innovations Guest Speaker, La Jolla California 2010
Best Western Inn By The Sea, La Jolla, Featured artwork in 129 guest rooms and common areas 2010
Southwest Airlines Featured artwork in 500 SW terminals all over the USA 2009-2010
Keys to The City in his home town, El Banco Magdalena Colombia for excellent work abroad 2009
Honorable Mention, La Jolla Digital, La Jolla California, USA 2006
Selected for the inaugural MetroCaf College Animation Film Festival, NYC, 2003