Today we’d like to introduce you to Joel Pulido.
Joel, we appreciate you taking the time to share your story with us today. Where does your story begin?
As a child (don’t worry, not going too way back), photographs have always interested me, most likely on the fact that my father would always take videotapes and polaroids for family moments, even to this day. I myself would take one of those disposable cameras in elementary school until no longer allowed, ha. Now, at some point, my parents divorced stayed with my mom, it wasn’t too bad, for me at least. Kept in contact with my father and the step-family, and sometime later my mom remarried, and to my surprise, my step-father would work with film cameras as work back in his youth. I dabbled in different art mediums, learned several instruments, some art and graphic designing, but something about photographs just kept calling out to me.
During later high school years, I would bring a compact digital camera, birthday gift from my father, and over time after graduation of 2011, I would review those photos, not only for the memories but also how changes occur as time goes on for individuals. I definitely have both my father and step-father to thank, one because of moments you can never redo yet reflect on what has happened in that time period, and the other for having an understanding of business ethics in the photography realm. The ending of 2013 is when I was certain to make photography as a lifestyle career, and then my father gifted me with my first dslr camera for Christmas. I didn’t go to school for photography (though I did for graphic and digital imaging at an adult school), so learning photography in a more professional manner was definitely a learning curve. After doing a few shoots with friends and those willing to be photographed, I started taking on small gigs. It wasn’t until 2016 when I bought my first pro-level dslr, Canon 5D3, and that definitely changed things around, along with upgraded lenses, all with finances earned from my regular job I had at the time and some from gigs I’ve done. (Okay, and maybe a few credit cards here and there).
As time went on, I got more experience and more recognition. For the last 3 or 4 years, I’ve been calling myself as a “jack of all trades” in the photography world. Going from street to formal fashion, firstborn to weddings, office workers to runway models, basically most common types needed in this industry. I chose to spread myself out this way, for instead of focusing on one or two things to excel but be limited to other types, I wanted to be able to confidently say “Yes, I can do that” whenever a potential client is asking around for a specific photoshoot. Particularly this year and last, I’ve been pushing myself out there to do more video-type assignments and it’s been going well. It’s gotten to the point where others have asked me advise either on what gear is good or hands-on classes for beginners. I just like to help out when I can to the best of my abilities.
Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
There has been many times I just felt like quitting and search for something else, maybe continuing the musician path or another pursuit, not so much indecisiveness but rather trying to find the better option in life. Finances as a content creator is definitely nothing to laugh at, whether it is art supplies or instruments or camera equipment, investment is a must and it’s always a risk when you start out because you won’t know how long it’ll be until you actually make profit. Also, if we’re being honest, not everyone in my family supports my choice in making photography a living, so that does demoralize to a deep extent and thankfully, it’s slowly shifting for the better. I’ve truly enjoyed the buildup it’s taken over the years, and sure there’s been some down moments but the fact that I’m on here telling my story, I’m definitely making progress.
Do you any memories from childhood that you can share with us?
Dang, I have too many good memories haha, I had a good upbringing, and that’s from both households. If we’re staying on the topic of things though, it would be when I took my film camera at the time to a field trip at a museum and accidentally found out how to do double exposure. Haven’t done it again with film in modern times, but the concept and know how definitely stuck to me growing up, part of the many converging paths of interest to photography.
Contact Info:
- Email: [email protected]
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/genodo/
