Travel
I encourage everyone to travel.
It changes your eye and perspective in what you know about the world.
Traveling helped developed my eye to seeing how others live and I inject that into my work.
I may not know or pinpoint it on my photographs but I know that traveling and learning different perspectives and ideas from other people . . . well, that’s knowledge that they don’t teach in school.
I lived briefly in Australia, Germany, France and Mexico.
And it all of those places, I’ve gain so much experience in working in those markets.
Of course, Paris is my favorite city in the world. Not only is it beautiful, but just being outside and listening to people talk French and eating baguettes, well that’s enough to inspire you to shoot.
PS: People are a gasp when they see the Eiffel Tower in your portfolio . . . not knowing that you and the model crawled under the fence and got the perfect shot of the the tower . . . 10 minutes later, the security guard is chasing you away!
Honesty
In a serious tone, throughout my career, I think I wanted what others have. I had what they kids say these days, FOMO (Fear Of Missing Out) . . . I wanted the fancier camera, I wanted to shoot like Steven Meisel, I wanted those expensive Prada shoes!
Only recently, I just stood back and looked at my work and realized, why did all of that matter? I wasn’t honest with myself . . . I was trying to be someone that I’m not . . .
I learned from all those experiences that all that mattered was my own perspective and where my creativity lies is with myself. I’m not interested in the fancy ball gowns shot in a garden nor I wanted to do these elaborate concepts . . . In the beginning I didn’t know what I was doing but in all honesty, I think that was the best thing I ever did . . . I was naive to what’s out there and all the ideas that I had was pure and it came from within . . . and that’s what people liked about my photographs.
So, being honest with oneself and really dig deep to what really matters to him/her, is what counts . . . I know, it’s already a given, but trust me, there will be people around you that says otherwise.
Self Reliance
Being on shoots with a team around you . . . I was always curious of what they are all doing . . . I mean, seriously, I was more interested in how eye shadows are applied than working on lighting the studio . . .
I just learned little things here and there; from how to blow dry hair to how to reach out to PR firms to get clothes . . .
I think from the beginning, I wanted everything my way . . . sometimes, I’m a bit stubborn because I want everything just the way I like it . . . Stylists sometimes hate me because I would rearrange the rack of clothes that they meticulously organized the night before because I wanted it to be my own aesthetic . . . yes, that I am still working on to back off!
However, there’s been way too many times where there’s a schedule conflict and one of your team members can’t make it or someone cancels . . . bitch, I’m not the one!
So I started learning how to do hair (basic stuff) and makeup and I am quite good in shopping at the Goodwill stores and styling my shoots.
Perhaps, it’s just me because sometimes I hear from models that shoots had been cancelled because the hair/makeup people didn’t show up . . . Fuck that . . . I’m here to work so I’ll do everything if I have to . . .
Kids, teach yourself how to do everything! If you can’t do it . . . google it or Youtube it!
Be Humble
Yes, in my early years, I was as cocky and overbearing because I thought I was the shit!
I think having that attitude is amazing but you also have to check yourself and be humble.
Looking back, I wish I would have thank all the people that got me to where I am . . . trust me, I’ve burned a lot of bridges and I’ve learned from those mistakes (and still making them!).
What I learned though is to humble yourself.
Know what your capable of and ask for help!
There had been times where I was down and out in NYC where I was sleeping in my friend’s kitchen because I had no place to go. Yes, the kitchen!
If that’s not humbling . . . well, then you don’t know the half of it.
I am thankful for the things that I’ve gotten but still I still have to remind myself each day . . . “you’re only as good as your next shoot!”
So, don’t believe your own hype because around the corner . . . there’s another teenager that will surpass you!
Tenacity
I made it 2 decades in this business but not giving up!
There are times where I questioned myself, “why are you still doing this?”
I’m still poor and still live in a studio apartment but what I have is a career that I care about and I work for myself.
I didn’t give up.
I used all my energy and creativity to find jobs and to make connections . . .
I want to continue and persevere and strive to do more and create more and have that big Mac Mansion with a white picket fence and a cowboy for a husband!
There were a lot of people that helped me along the way.
I was that person that emailed non stop to get the next gig no matter where it is in the world.
All I knew was that it’s only a plane ride away.
I hope these 5 things helps a little.
I know I ramble but that’s how I got to where I am today.
Until next time!! Tah Tah for now and okrrrrr!