Rising Stars: Meet Nicholas Saldana

Today we’d like to introduce you to Nicholas Saldana.

Hi Nicholas, thanks for joining us today. We’d love for you to start by introducing yourself.
When I was fourteen years old, I took an interest in playing with old camcorders my parents had around the house. My fascination with cameras at a young age influenced the kind of choices I made throughout high school. I joined clubs, photographed friends, and created short films for my own amusement. I felt certain that I wanted to study cinematography after high school, but I was devastated to learn I didn’t get accepted into my top pick university film program. I was heartbroken to see my friends leave for college while I struggled to decide my next career move.

Even though I wasn’t studying film in a traditional classroom, I remained consistent in the practice as a hobby. I would photograph/film people, events, clothing, and anything I was asked to. As my network slowly grew, opportunities began to present themselves organically – until eventually, when I was nineteen, someone asked me to assist them on a commercial set. I remember becoming so fascinated as I witnessed a team work collaboratively to execute a vision. I asked countless questions and expressed interest and willingness to learn. The people I met on set that day would eventually mentor me and help carve the path my career would take over the next decade.

In 2018, I secured an internship working at a production studio that specializes in beauty/makeup content. I worked that internship making minimum wage, commuting for 4 hours every weekday. I was tired and broke, but I gave it my full because I knew that the internship will eventually turn into a full-time position, and it did. Over the next four years, I went from driving shuttle vans for the production crew to running a studio and executing productions of my own. I began to establish myself as a Cinematographer, filming promotional content for my company and the models managed by them. It wasn’t long before I found myself yearning for more, wanting to create more elevated material for a broader audience.

Currently, I shoot for a world-renowned cosmetics company where I create captivating images that are seen worldwide. I couldn’t be happier with the choices I’ve made and the talented people I get to work with every day. My career path may be abnormal to some, but I learned far more through the process of being “self-taught” versus traditionally educated.

Alright, 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?
One struggle I continue to encounter is overcoming the mental demands the creative world requires. The consistent need to curate creative ideas can become exhausting and often I find myself falling into a creative rut. It’s so easy to feel overworked or uninspired, and it took me some time to realize that stepping away from your work to “refresh” can be beneficial and provide greater results in the end. Additionally, comparing my work to the work of others has been an unavoidable trait that I hope to overcome. The hardest critic to impress is often yourself, and I still find myself falling victim to the habit of self-comparison.

Alright, so let’s switch gears a bit and talk business. What should we know about your work?
I am a professional Cinematographer specializing in beauty/model and product videography. Most of my work has always lived on online digital outlets, so it was a proud moment of mine to see something I filmed end up on display in New York’s Time Square. When I say “I filmed” it doesn’t always mean just pressing the record button, It’s much more technical than that. In working with cosmetic products, I build mechanized rigs and sets to create movement in my scene. I make small products come to life in a manner that emphasizes the beauty in the packaging. Working with models, it’s important to direct in a way that will make them feel comfortable while providing enough direction to get the shot that’s needed. With lighting, it’s important to consider the pigments in the makeup and how to light them in a way that will emphasize the characteristics of the colors. This knowledge and consideration of detail are what sets me apart from others, knowing the best approach to take in order to bring out the beauty in both objects and people.

Do you have any advice for those looking to network or find a mentor?
My best advice for finding a good mentor or strong network is to never stop working. So long as you continue to practice, you will always be better than you were the day before. People will come to you organically, and eventually, you will be provided with an opportunity that will shape the rest of your career. Some people call it “getting lucky”, but the harder you work, the luckier you get. Don’t give up on your ambitions and the rest will fall into place.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://nicsaldana.com
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/nic.saldana/
• Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/nicholas-saldana-129052180/