Today we’d like to introduce you to Mark Aquino.
Mark, can you briefly walk us through your story – how you started and how you got to where you are today.
I started taking photos when I came here in Los Angeles California honestly don’t know how to use a camera at first and my father bought a camera for a family use and from that, I started learning how to use a camera I’m using it every time when we going around in LA to take pictures. If you know me, I’m a quite person and don’t talk too much to people and photography help me a lot to build a confidence to interact to other people and it started when I am in high school I was walking around by the hall and saw a poster that the yearbook need a new photographer so I decided to submit an application the day of the deadline and after I submitted it I got accepted to be a yearbook photographer! As a yearbook photographer my job is to capture all the memories for the year and I love my job since I love capturing memories and met so many amazing people, went to every sports game, events and other things to take pictures those things give me more practice on how to get a good shot and after I graduated high school I didn’t stop taking photos. I decided to borrowed my dads camera and started reaching out few people on Instagram and messaging them to shoot from that I used to start taking portraits and decided to shoot more and do some other concept that I have on mind.
One day, decided to followed a new faces model from LA model on Instagram and after a few days the model reached out to me to do a test shoot for his portfolio and it was my first time reaching out to an agent which is I don’t know what to say from the start and research about it and schedule the shoot then after the shoot sent the photos to the agency and they used my shot on their website and it’s give me to think that it’s nice to see my shot on some agency website that I did and other people will see. After LA models, reached out to an fitness model who is trying to sign with an agency and unexpected after reaching out to him he got signed with Two management and we did plan the shoot with the agent for the agency so that they will use the shot in his portfolio and one day an agent from DT model management reached out to me as well to shoot their models and I’ve been open to shoot a professional models since I started it already and want to build a good portfolio with different kind of model from different agency as well! Now, I am reaching out on those agency when I want to do a shoot or when I have on mind a concept that want to try and pick the right model for it but I’m also trying to reach out for more any other agency as well so my works will see everywhere.
And just last year I decided to get my own camera and started to work with some professional models like I said which is new to me and if you didn’t know I’m also a young photographer which is when I met some model they going to ask me how old I am and after I said my age they going to said that I am the youngest photographer they will ever met and shot them before and some people on the way been telling me that it’s nice that at my young age I got to share and show a bit of my talent to capture and work on something. On that I always overlooked on what I learned from the start so that people look on my pictures draw attention to them and my other work. The process on photography taught me something from today which is you have to be patience and appreciate all the shot you did and make more and build something big. Do what you love to feel happy!
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?
Definitely there’s up and down because there’s some challenges and struggles along the way because sometimes you will get a result that you’re not expecting but on that process you will also learn something just like for example if I didn’t get a best shot I’m taking another shot and another and another shot until I get the best shot I want. Also, you will meet different kind people who will like your work and discourage you but still keep on mind that you have to keep on going and don’t mind them. Some people will help you out on the process and motivates you, also I’m still learning on this industry since I just started a year ago and I am happy that I’m in photography business.
_shotbymark – what should we know? What do you guys do best? What sets you apart from the competition?
I am a photographer based in the heart of San Fernando Valley. I specialize in kind of a bit everything but mainly in portraits, fitness, and just started for some editorial photography. Then some events (graduation, birthday, wedding or any occasion), sports or any photos that you want to get shot done taken by me. Let’s work together!
What role has luck (goodluck or badluck) played in your life and business?
Luck has a significant role in our life either in positive or negative way. Life has upside downplay from time to time but I can say that and some people say that the right opportunity at the right time having self-determination and hard work on what I do to success in photography industry. Luck has a big role in this career on the things I do and all that matters to get into success. But I also believe that in this business bringing or making own luck by great preparation and good strategy.
Pricing:
- First package for $100 come with one outfit (lookout on my Instagram story which is sometimes I offer $50 for a shoot!)
- Second package for $150 comes with two outfit
- Third package for $200 comes with three or four outfit
Contact Info:
- Website: https://shotbymark.myportfolio.com/
- Email: shotbymrk@gmail.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/_shotbymark/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/shotbymark/
- Twitter: https://mobile.twitter.com/_shotbymark
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