Today we’d like to introduce you to Jorge Barcelo.
Thanks for sharing your story with us Jorge. So, let’s start at the beginning and we can move on from there.
I received my first camera in 2006. I was still in high school then and before graduation I had started shooting with a couple girls in my classes that were interested in getting into modeling. Soon after, I began to stray from photography and eventually dropped it all together.
Fast forward to Spring 2017 and I received a job offer in LA. The job was/is very difficult and I nearly quit on several occasions because I felt like a total failure. It didn’t help that I didn’t have any friends in the city. Eventually, I started to figure work out and things started getting better. Halfway through 2018, I finally had enough. I needed to make friends so I started thinking about getting back into photography to take my mind off work on the weekends. I spent most of summer reading and watching anything that would teach me the basics. That’s when I learned about LMM and I just started going to as many of them as I could.
Thanks to Rachel’s operation, I was able to get years of practice in a very short amount of time. I was able to network with so many people. That’s where I met some of my best new friends that have helped keep me motivated and pushed me to get better. Eden, Lindy, Ryan, Rachel, Sara (I love you all).
I continued this every weekend in 2019. I started doing headshots and family portraits to pay for new gear then used that gear to make my personal work better. I also had a chance to shoot with Model Hunt and that was a great experience. No matter what I was doing, though, I was always having the most fun when I’d sit and plan out a shoot. I enjoy making sets from scratch. Going to arts&craft stores and getting materials to make the scene exactly how I’d imagine it.
Now it’s 2020 and I will continue that trend. It’s not even the end of January yet and I’ve already got three major projects done and February is even busier. If I do things right, maybe I’ll be able to showcase my work at this year’s NudeArtLA event in the Fall/Winter and I’d like for you all to come.
Great, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
F&%K NO. Holy hell it’s been a roller coaster. There’s a very funny graph on the internet called “Stages of a Photographer” and I hit the “dammit, I suck” part of the graph many many times. My biggest struggle has always been trying to figure out exactly what kind of photography I want to do. I’m still primarily a weekend photographer so I have a limited amount of time to really do it. Especially when the sun goes down early.
I don’t understand hashtags or social media very well so maybe I’ll invest more into having someone teach and mentor me on that.
Alright – so let’s talk business. Tell us about Jorge Barcelo Photography – what should we know?
If we’re talking about my day job, I work for a company that specializes in being a full suite service provider in the after-sales Automotive industry in LA & SD. My day to day involves me analyzing sales reports, growing our client’s business, and managing our staff.
As for photography, I don’t think I’d ever do it full time. I have a couple of other business ventures I’m working on as well. I do know I want to specialize in fine art photography, though.
Is there a characteristic or quality that you feel is essential to success?
Persistence and knowing when to take a break.
Aside from professional athletes, I don’t believe anyone’s born a “natural talent” some people might be a little bit better at first, but it’s not a race. It’s so easy to get in our heads and call it quits when we’ve hit a roadblock, but if we take a step back to breathe and come back in a couple hours or a couple weeks – how ever long you need – you can get right back at it.
Also stay away from toxic people. Surround yourself with other people that are also passionate and don’t sabotage others in the process.
Pricing:
- Headshots – $200
- Family Portraits – $300
Contact Info:
- Website: jbarcelo.com
- Email: jbar3@mail.com
- Instagram: instagram.com/jorgebarcelo_photography
- Other: instagram.com/shooting_with_jorge
Image Credit:
Lia, Alex, Amber, Steph, Dee, Stephanie, Lu Reis
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