Ricardo Vela is an Emmy award-winning journalist who began his journey in photography when he was eight years old.  A simple reflex camera became his passport to exotic worlds right in front of his eyes. “Since childhood, photography has been one of my most loyal companions. The first time I held a camera in my hands, I realized that I had the power, not only of capturing a moment in time or a memory, but I could also tell a story,” says Vela.
     Photography led him into another passion: journalism.  Vela’s journalistic career started in the third grade when he started a school newspaper in Ciudad Juarez, Mexico. Ever since then, he has been involved in some aspect of mass communications. Currently he is the News Anchor/Producer for KBNT-TV Channel 17 in San Diego.
     Both passions have brought a lot of joy and recognition into Ricardo’s life. In 1983, he won a prestigious art contest in Mexico City that introduced his photographic work to the heart of Mexico City, at El Palacio de Bellas Artes.
     In 1992, he won an Emmy for his story about a Latino parents coping with their last days before dying of AIDS and how they prepared their children for their loss. In March 2005, Vela received an Emmy for excellence in journalism in the news feature category for the story “Los Trovadores del Siglo 21”. Ricardo received two Emmy nominations in 2006 for excellence in journalism, one in the category of outstanding achievement on health/science and one for on-camera talent/News Anchor.
     His journalistic vision, providing a voice for the needs of the Hispanic community in San Diego, The Hispanic Magazine made him one of the 100 most influential Hispanic journalists in the country in 2001.  He has expanded his commitment to the community by writing a weekly column in the “El Latino” newspaper about the issues pertinent to Hispanics in San Diego.
     In January 2004, Ricardo started a morning radio talk show. The San Diego Press Club recognized his commitment in October 2004.  After just a few months on the air, Ricardo Vela and Voces de San Diego received a second place in the Radio Talk category for excellence in journalism. In October 2006, the San Diego Press Club awarded him third place for his Radio Show.  On February 28, 2006, the City of San Diego honored him by proclaiming it “Ricardo Vela Day” for his contribution to the Latino community through his radio show. In addition, the Chicano News Media Association awarded him with “La Pluma” award for best feature reporting. In December 2005, Vela was named as one of the 10 most influential Latinos in San Diego by Tijuana’s “Frontera” Newspaper. 
     Ricardo continues to strive both as a professional journalist and fine art photographer.  He has been a regular at the Art Walk shows in Little Italy and has exhibited his work in numerous galleries on both sides of the border.  In April he was chosen one of the featured artists for ArtWalk 2007.