How did you get started into photography?
I was always interested in cameras from a young age, having early videos of me as child age 2 or so asking for the video camera so I could have my shot too. I came across my first camera when I was about 16 when a friend of mine owed me some money for some concert tickets I bought for him, he couldn’t pay me back so he offered me a digital camera that I could later sell for the same amount he owed me, I took the camera and began to take photos of landscapes and my friends, later exploring urban photography and got really into “rooftopping” going as far as Shanghai and Hong Kong to illegally climb skyscrapers to capture unique perspectives. These were the early days.
What inspires you?
I get inspired by traveling, living in different cities at time, never been stagnant, surrounding myself with likeminded individuals and I’m especially by those doing more than me, regardless of the field. I never want to be the smartest in the room. I respect the ambition and persistence it takes to build something from the ground up, having to pick yourself up and keep pushing is the key to success in any field.
When and where are you the most creative?
Right now I’m living in Paris and I feel very creative but I’m already thinking about my next projects, in Japan and Africa early 2023. Paris is an incredible city, full of culture and life, lately I’ve been getting into street art where I wheat paste posters with my images in different cities and let the natural environment have its way.
What is your signature as a photographer?
Creating timeless images that can be recognized by either the aesthetics or the subject matter, I think my fans really are the ones who have come to instantly recognize my images even if my name isn’t directly tied to it. Of course with this, comes imitators trying to replicate the same thing.
How do you prepare for a shoot?
Draft concepts and ideas, coordinate locations and things I may need, cars etc, let the rest flow. You never know when you might need to call in a favor and it has helped me more times than I can count. Without my friends and family, I believe I wouldn’t have created some of my most famous images. They made it possible just by willing to help build the vision.
What was it then that finally made you fully into photography as a career?
You know I never introduce myself as a photographer, as I think what it is I contribute and create is bigger than that; from designing products, to directing short films, I would rather be an artist and let photography be the thing that allowed me to grow and explore my creativity. I was probably 22 years old In business school when I was making my business plan when I knew that I could scale it and make it a success if I just put my head down and put everything I had into it.
What is your favorite lens?
24-70 is versatile, can’t go wrong with a 35mm either. I like to be closer to my subjects, I’m not really a fan of telephoto lenses.
You have photographed in many countries, how much do you think places affect your photographs?
It has everything to do with my creativity, I’m probably the least creative when I’m home in Miami as I feel like I’ve taken the photographs I’ve wanted to take and maybe it’s the wrong mentality but for me it just is a bit overplayed and I’m focused on where I need to be next, not settling for where I am.
What are you working right now?
Can’t disclose the campaigns we’re working on at the moment but definitely some big brands in the automotive and fashion space. Besides that I’m directing and producing a couple new short films, some gallery shows in different countries, preparing the release for some sunglasses I designed in collaboration with my friend’s eyewear brand, and of course, the fourth coffee table book, which is always my personal favorite project.
