Rodelio Astudillo - Early Life

Early Life

Astudillo was born in the Philippines, but grew up in Los Angeles California, though he lived throughout the Eastern United States, including Upstate New York, Indiana, Missouri. He studied English Literature in college and was an avid surfer and diver, interests he picked up while attending the combat diver course at the United States Naval Air Station, Trumbo Point Annex, Key West, Florida, while in the military.

Astudillo left school twice to join the army before graduating, where he served in a reconnaissance platoon of a U.S. Army Ranger Regimental Detachment (RRD) based out of Fort Bragg, North Carolina. He declined re-enlistment after his last combat-related injuries, earning the rank of staff sergeant, but ironically found himself back in various war zones when he served as a war photographer for the following two years.

While in college, Astudillo was influenced by a black-and-white photography class taught by the University's then Art Department Chair, Richard Ross, the principal photographer for the Getty Conservation Institute. After further encouragement by Ross and the subsequent color photography course, Astudillo was determined to become a photographer, even if self-taught.

After graduating from college, Astudillo held a series of jobs, including work as a bounty hunter, a consultant, and a combat photographer. After considering employment in Blackwater USA, Astudillo decided to finish his studies.