Meet Photographer Adam Aguilar

Today we’d like to introduce you to Adam Aguilar.

Adam, please share your story with us. How did you get to where you are today?
I began shooting in middle school to keep memories of my friends because we were going to high school and I didn’t know who was going to Reseda with me. I was shooting on and off for years just with the idea of capturing friends capturing memories. I didn’t see photography as anything else until I saw a photo my cousin Rudy had taken. I grew up around horses; my grandfather loves horses, and I always watched him exercise and run them. Rudy had taken this shot of the horse from my grandfather’s eye view of running the horse in a circle. The rope is all the way in the foreground and leads you to the animal in a blurred motion. Looking at that photo took me back to my memories! Until that moment I was capturing friends to keep and yet here is a photo that was able to tap into a personal moment. I didn’t know art could do that. From then on I read and shot a lot more with an idea behind the camera rather than capturing memories I can make them.

Has it been a smooth road?
Not smooth, but there are some nice smooth rides so to speak. I guess the hardest part of making it as a photographer is making a living as a photographer. There is no security – financially. There isn’t a routine that one can get used to like having the same commute to your workplace and sitting at your desk. But when I look at it I enjoy the irregularity and the unknown.

Have you ever felt like giving up?
Yes. I have always been stubborn and only took photo-related jobs. Bouncing around as a photo assistant, retoucher, and printer – I decided to go freelance. I got a reality check big time! I thought I was ready and in a matter of months money ran out and I was really thinking of hanging my camera and taking up any job to make ends meet. I pushed my luck to the limit and the week I was totally broke I got a call that I got the job from an interview I went to weeks back. I shoot, edit and do all their photography visuals. They also allow me to take any photo gig that pops up and now I have the best of both worlds in terms of a job and the freedom to be creative and take on personal interests.

What advice do you wish to give to those thinking about pursuing a path similar to yours?
I don’t know if I’m qualified to give advice haha. I’m still learning. I can tell you what works for me – I practice and shoot when I can. I read photography magazines that share new methods and techniques. I look up youtube videos and see what others are doing. I go check out photo museums and galleries. I love the art photography so I have surrounded myself with it. It’s not a hobby for me and that’s when I knew I needed to keep chasing it. So I guess my advice is to find that one thing that you will never get tired of and enjoy all aspects. When you have that anything you do related to it won’t feel like job or chore. You’ll want to do it, and be happy doing so.

What are you most excited about these days?
I have plans to move out of California. After traveling around I realized I like being in new places. The unknown has always excited me and as a photographer/ artists, you’ll have the best perspective in new areas. Everything is an inspiration. It’s one of my favorite things to keep fresh. Photography is hard for me to separate from my personal life so in both worlds I’m excited that I’m getting older. I’m finding myself more and more and in turn, my art is becoming stronger and my sense of style can be distinguished. I think that’s the most exciting part – seeing how my work from years ago can match up with my current images.

Pricing:

• I usually price the job by all details that go into the shoot but as far as portraits I do a session for $350

Contact Info:

• Website: aguilaradam.com
• Phone: 818.935.9959
• Email: [email protected]
• Instagram: aguilaradam

Image Credit:
Make Up – Kat Sarabia
Hair – Olivia Hilleson