Today we’d like to introduce you to Aaron Delgado.
Aaron, please share your story with us. How did you get to where you are today?
At 19 years old, I bought a used Canon Rebel XT from a friend of a friend, It must have sat in my room for about 2 years, only being used for big family events like Thanksgiving and Christmas. Prior to that, the only experience I had with a Digital Camera was during my Two years of Yearbook and Graphic Design in Middle School. By the age of 22 I had been working as a EMT for about 5 years in LA County. It was a great job, but I knew it wasn’t what I really wanted to do for the rest of my life, so I decided to explore other career options.
After roughly a Month or Two: with my days free and my schedule wide open, due to unemployment, I dusted off my old used camera and began to take pictures around my city. Flowers, Buildings, my two dogs and even a goldfish at one point. Soon after I asked a friend of mine to model for me, the upstairs vacant apartment being my first “studio”. I had a jinky lighting setup, no real theme and pulling from my photoshoot experience back in the 6th grade. At the time I thought I had knocked it out of the park! However, looking back, all I can do is put my hand over my face and smile. The silver lining to that inexperienced first shoot was I knew I was hooked. I enjoyed the setup, working and talking to my subjects and loading them up onto the computer to get a full view of something I just created. Over time I read books, “Googled” constantly and above all, just kept shooting.
My first year was dedicated to building a portfolio and learning my craft as I went along. I knew I wanted to find my own “style” so, how most bands start by playing the kind of music that they like, I looked at images all over the internet and simply tried to replicate styles, lighting, and overall looks, always utilizing my own twist and ideas to them.
Four years later, here I am. Much more experienced and equipped with the knowledge to produce my own original art. Always hoping my work inspires others to create beautiful work.
Has it been a smooth road?
Overall it has been a smooth road, I have been fortunate enough to have the love and support of my family and friends. Some of the biggest struggles have been things like putting monetary value to your time and talent. Most artists create for the love of creating, not the money, which made it difficult to charge in the beginning.
Tell us about your childhood, what were you like growing up?
I’ve always had an artistic personality, more introverted, always admired superheroes, Spider-Man being my favorite and I’ve always rooted for the underdog. I felt more connected with this characteristics.
What is your favorite childhood memory?
My favorite memory growing up must be all the family holidays and parities, growing up in a big Mexican family you always had a house full of people during these events, I would hang out with my cousins and we would go skate or cause some harmless mischief around the neighborhood and surrounding skate spots
What are your plans for the future?
My biggest goal is to be 100% self-employed and turn Cut Above Photography into one of the leading photography businesses in LA, employing models, makeup artists, stylist and other like-minded photographers
Pricing:
- Type of photoshoot being requested.
- Location
- incorporating other professionals such as Make Up Artist, Stylists, and Assistants
- $100.00 ( 2 hours, Three Wardrobes, 10-15 final images and free touch up editing.)
Contact Info:
- Website: www. cutabovephotos.com
- Phone: (626) 905-3490
- Email: [email protected]
- Instagram: Cutabovephotos
Image Credit:
Sharise Garcia, Rachel Clugston, Priya Jain
