This University of Miami grad photographed The Rock many times; wanna see the pics

He is a powerful person in the world of show business, and he has the pictures to prove it.

South Florida’s Hiram Garcia is that powerful person, and his incredible photos are featured in his new photo book: “The Rock: Through the Lens: His Life, His Movies, His World”

The publication is a stunning photographic look at the life and career of global entertainment icon, entrepreneur, humanitarian, philanthropist and trailblazer Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson.

Moments with family, friends and other celebrities and time alone engulf the book.

Here is my audio interview with Hiram Garcia who discusses the book, photography, Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson, University of Miami, Seven Bucks Productions, Dany Garcia, XFL, WWE, music and more.

Garcia, who is a 1998 graduate of the University of Miami, is Johnson’s longtime friend, assistant, collaborator and producing partner. He is President of Production at Seven Bucks Productions, a top production company owned and founded by his business-savvy sister Dany Garcia and Johnson, two more University of Miami grads.

The company, established in 2012, is credited with creating original releases for television, film, emerging technologies, and digital networks, i.e. “Baywatch,” “Jumani: Welcome to the Jungle,” “Fighting With My Family,” “Fast and Furious Presents: Hobbs and Shaw,” “What Really Happened? with Andrew Jenks,” “The Hero,” “Ballers,” “The Titan Games.”

Hiram and Johnson met while Dany and Johnson attended the University of Miami in Coral Gables. Dany, a member of the crew team, majored in international marketing and finance.

Johnson, studying criminal justice, competed on the Hurricanes football team, and they met in the weight room on campus. They began dating, and eventually Dany introduced Johnson to her family, including younger brother, Hiram, who was in high school in their native New Jersey.

Hiram and Johnson forged a friendship now in its 30th year. That brotherhood morphed into a business collaboration which has lasted 20-plus years and counting.

Johnson and Dany married, sharing one daughter together, Simone, who is currently training at the WWE Performance Center in Orlando. Entering the family business, Simone will become fourth generation in pro wrestling/sports entertainment.

Johnson and Dany divorced amicably in 2007 and then established this very successful business relationship.

Hiram, who has lived in South Florida (near Fort Lauderdale) since 1994, became an integral part of their business endeavors, joining forces first with Johnson and then both.

Hiram did not have any interest in making pro wrestling a career, but he did follow in Johnson (and sisters Dany and Marlo’s) footsteps by enrolling at the University of Miami. Marlo is involved in the family business, too, strengthening one of its charitable arms.

Hiram, a graduate of Roxbury High School in Succasunna, New Jersey, earned a bachelor’s degree in music business and entertainment from The U. Hey, he can play the trumpet and also displays some skill on the piano. Dany played the piano and French horn. She is also an accomplished bodybuilder.

Their parents, Hiram and Dani, immigrated from Cuba as teenagers. Their father fled at age 14 before finishing high school. He worked at an auto body shop in America to provide for his wife and three children. Their story and work ethic inspired all three kids, Dany, Marlo and Hiram, quite possibly the most famous Roxbury High School alums.

The pendulum shifted for Hiram following college. As The Rock’s stardom grew in WWE, Hiram assisted in the creative process of The Rock (with WWE writer Brian Gewirtz), and when Hollywood came calling, Johnson brought Hiram with him. That’s when Hiram fell in love with movie and TV production.

The Rock developed into a top movie star in front of the camera, while Hiram elevated his game behind it. Hiram started at the ground level in South Florida, attending script writing classes, working as a P.A. in commercials, second assistant directing, just learning and working in the field, and now he is a major force in the industry. The success has helped open doors to other ventures, i.e. the photo book.

Of note, Hiram can raise the People’s Eyebrow, and he and The Rock enjoy Teremana tequila and are fans of the Big Cheese Italian eatery, near The U. Unprecedented, NBC’s “Saturday Night Live” allowed The Rock, Gewirtz and Hiram to write a bit for the show.

Hiram and Johnson continue to collaborate successfully, selecting the photos (some with vibrant colors and others emotional black-n-white) for his stellar photo book, released Tuesday.

Hiram’s camera of choice -- Leica.

The book (256 pages, St. Martin’s Press, $35 Hardcover, $16.99 e-Book) is available wherever books are sold, or to order the book, go to:

Hardcover: https://us.macmillan.com/books/9781250220424

e-Book: https://us.macmillan.com/books/9781250220431

Garcia, Garcia & Johnson, their mantra: “It’s nice to be important, but more important to be nice.”

Fund Photo Tag Team

Through Omaze, win a special meeting with “The Rock” Dwayne Johnson and pose for a photo with him taken by photographer extraordinaire Hiram Garcia.

No donation or payment is necessary to enter or win this sweepstakes, but donations are appreciated with proceeds going to the Actors Fund, which serves all professionals—not just actors—in film, television, theater, music, opera, radio and dance. The fund addresses the unique and essential needs of people who work in performing arts and entertainment.

For more information and to register and donate, go to:

https://www.omaze.com/products/dwayne-the-rock-johnson-photo?ref=therock

About Hiram Garcia

Hiram Garcia, 44, is the President of Production at Seven Bucks Productions, a passionate photographer and a film and television producer whose films have amassed more than $4 billion in box-office revenue.

A trusted collaborator in the production process to Seven Bucks co-founders Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson and Dany Garcia, Hiram Garcia oversees all production operations from development to release. In addition to producing projects, Garcia loves to get behind his own camera and is an ambassador for legendary camera company Leica.

Garcia’s work has been featured in print and digital media, and he opened his first gallery in 2019, with many more projects in the works. Because of his active schedule, Garcia likes to shoot whatever crosses his path – whether it’s actors on set, waterfalls in Hawaii, empty roads or his favorite subject, his dog. He likes seeing a moment and creating a replica of it, something special that evokes an emotion.

Born and raised in New Jersey, Garcia is a graduate of Roxbury High School and the University of Miami, where he earned his bachelor’s degree in music business and entertainment. He is a longtime South Florida resident, living near Fort Lauderdale.

Twitter: https://twitter.com/hhgarcia41

Website: https://us.macmillan.com/publishers/st-martins-press/

Website: https://sevenbucks.com/

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/user/therock

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