Today we’d like to introduce you to Hector Puig.
Hector, please share your story with us. How did you get to where you are today?
I was born by surprise, I did not expect it. I still keep a good memory of being born, though. When I was born my mother wasn’t there. She didn’t like that so she told me to not do that again. I’ve always been -anti the stablished- and self-started. In fact I did born again 2 years ago, this time in Los Angeles, but this birth was different. I was a metaphysical rebirth as an artist.
I came from the land of Don Quijote, the landscape that inspires Salvador Dalí, the sun who saw the birth of Picasso, the same kingdom’s court of Velazquez and so many other “hidalgos” and “conquistadores”. Spain, when we don’t live but celebrate life. A phenomenon occurs in Madrid that does not happen anywhere else in the world: “Los Madrileños” and among them, me.
How I did first get into photography?
Photography captivates my full attention two years ago and it really satisfies my universal curiosity, so then quit everything I was doing. I had a tremendous necessity to communicate through art and I still feel so. I guess I‘ve always been impulsive, delusional and passionate about what I really want to do. Either I do things I love or things that I hate but nothing in between. I put full heart in what I do. When I’m excited about something I’m working on, I couldn’t care less about everything else. I have to finish what I started. Now is photography but tomorrow could it be painting but always creating.
We’re always bombarded by how great it is to pursue your passion, etc – but we’ve spoken with enough people to know that it’s not always easy. Overall, would you say things have been easy for you?
It is not. But only for the limits we got our style and best inspiration.
I used to say that tormented people become a true artist, happy people on the contrary only can do marketing.
I struggle with social media and self-promotion. I struggle with mediocrity and vulgarity, I struggle living in society rule but insane people with insane goals. And definitely and most of all I struggle with money. An artist could not be money oriented, so we lost track of how to make us profitable.
If I would be less intelligent I undoubtedly will be a better photographer. I guess I’m too smart to have a day job
So let’s switch gears a bit and go into the Puig Photography story. Tell us more about the business.
I think I like the idea of a person more than a picture of a person.
People who are used to more conservative, realistic photographs consider my work very daring. I really enjoy startling people. Surrealism is a different perception of reality, a madness of living and thinking which, refusing the world as it is -since the “real” is often only habit – run by insane people with insane goals. Surreal photography brakes the limits of the established, as our mind is so limited it can only understand one reality.
My photography intends to speak a different language. I don’t like to make people look cute or pretty, but intense and mysterious. The point is not to make pretty pictures, but pictures that can surprise people that woke them up to a new way of seeing. I didn’t care anymore about making my pictures “beautiful” or “commercial” I just want them to work for me. No more nice pictures from me, only intense, surreal and a bit dark photography.
Many photographers want to capture the beauty, but with me, it’s just the opposite. I can’t sit still. I look at the model from every angle. I’m like a tiger in a cage, and usually, I end up with an unusual point of view while looking for the hidden creature, all I can see is how the light will draw my vision.
Has luck played a meaningful role in your life and business?
I never consider luck. I may have it before, I won’t remember her face though. In any case, I deny everything, even the truth. I’m a feverish worker.
When I’m excited about something I’m working on, I couldn’t care less about everything else, including luck.
Pricing:
- Studio portraits Starting at $350*
- Location Portraits starting at $400*
- Divorce photography, packages starting at *$600
Contact Info:
- Address: Santa Monica, CA.
- Website: www.puigphotography.com
- Phone: (424) 268 04 33
- Email: [email protected]
- Instagram: @Puig_Photography
- Facebook: None
- Twitter: hlpuig
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