Today we’d like to introduce you to Desiree Ramos.
Hi Desiree, we’d love for you to start by introducing yourself.
I remember in high school being really curious about cameras. Specifically film. I bought disposable cameras when they were around $4 (can you believe that) and would get them proceeded and developed at Target. In college, I had an old canon Rebel S that I used for the only photo course I took. At this point, I still only used photography as a way to capture my friends and when I was traveling. Around my second year in college, I was given a first photo gig as an event photographer at a nightclub. And I hated it (for context, my equipment was the only valuable thing I owned and I was in this battlefield of people under the influence to get a photo, aka not fun). It drew me away from photography. I very rarely would do shoots here and there with friends but nothing really wanted me to do it again.
After 4 years I graduated from college and I decide to go after what I thought my true dream was, acting. It was fun in the beginning and then I started to realize how much more I preferred to be behind the camera. I would talk to the photographers on sets and it really motivated me to get back into what I thought was a fun hobby.
I bought a lens for my old Canon 60D and started reaching out to random people who were up to shoot, just anyone who wanted photos and could help build up a portfolio for my website. I got a gig for DoorDash to take photos of food at restaurants and that’s where I was introduced to more product and food photography. The pandemic hit and all the restaurants had closed. During this time I decided to completely quit acting since I couldn’t remember the last time I enjoyed it and pursue photography full time. This was also the time when online businesses needed the most content for their socials.
Fast forward to now. 2023. I cannot believe that I am going on almost three years of this being my job. It makes me very happy and I feel nothing but gratitude for being able to do what I love. Currently, I am a product photographer that also does creative portraits. I cannot choose which niche I like more, both are equally enjoyable for me. I look forward to the knowledge and experiences I gain from my art and others as well.
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?
Not necessary. The opportunities that were given to me in the beginning were very random and honestly, I was surprised but grateful to be given them. Once I decided to take this on full-time I would send around 50 emails a week to brands in hopes of getting a response and work. Most of the time they didn’t respond and it made me feel like the work I was putting in was for nothing. I think over time, I’ve developed the mentality that I’m not owed anything for trying. Being rewarded every time for putting yourself out there is too easy. Moments of limbo is something you can always encounter in this industry.
Appreciate you sharing that. What else should we know about what you do?
I am a photographer and I specialize in product and creative portraits. I would say I am mostly known for my creative portraits because I share that work more often on social than my product work. I am proud with how my work continuously improves. When I’m given a new project I try to one-up myself with edits and retouching. So far, it’s been really rewarding and more so when others have been supporting me.
I think that all photographers that I’ve met have their own individual take on their art. I don’t strive to be set apart from others, I go based on interest and sometimes it’s a shoot idea that’s been done before and other times it’s not. However, I do enjoy dramatic edits and colors. Those are really fun for me.
What matters most to you?
For work, it is to always enjoy what I am doing. There are cons to this job like any other, but if I ever start to no longer enjoy my work I will do something else. I am very about working to live and not the other way around.
Apart from work, my relationships matter the most to me. My relationships with my family and friends mean a lot to me. I try to keep in contact with my loved ones often because I appreciate them and I hope I am doing an at least okay job with showing them.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.ddesi.xyz/
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ddesi/
Image Credits
Meg Vora (@megandkomie) Komie Vora Jaden Dugger (@Jadenashleyd) Christa Texeira (@christatexx) Dillan Donaire (@deauxnaire) Miriam Perez Ramirez (@glossi.gals) Lauren Esposito (@laurenesposito.mua) Marlene Jajalla(@mismenestylez)
