We need to make people understand that it's never about equipment, software or perfect techniques (never shoot against the sun, for example), but rather light and its qualities and characteristics. That is the essence of photography, and the true magic happens when you learn how to read it, comprehend it, shape it.
1. Tell us about your background and journey.
Born and raised in Porto - Portugal, I started professional Photography way back in 2006, immediately after I graduated. One of my teachers took me as an assistant, which allowed learning the ins and outs with a true mentor. After that, and with E-commerce starting to be a thing, I moved to a very new and small startup called Farfetch, at the time with a staff of around 50 people.
I worked my way up and grew with the company, eventually travelling the world to establish and train teams on site, as we were expanding to new markets and working with brands directly, like Tom Ford and DKNY, for example. After about 6 years, I decided to go freelancer on a consultancy basis, which allowed me to grow and learn the business side of things.
More recently, took an Editorial Photographer for social media with My Theresa, in Munich - Germany, which put me in the forefront of creative direction and photography in luxury fashion items for a global audience, in a very fast-paced environment.
Following that came Dubai, where I started as Lead Photographer with local E-com Namshi, and more recently, I’m the Photography Manager in Landmark Group, overseeing imagery across 6 different brands selling across the Middle East and India.
2. How and when did you realize your passion for photography?
My whole life has an Arts background, as I was always very good with painting and drawing, and later on, made it my education too. I got my first camera when I was around 8, analogue and fully automated, so not a lot of effort to take pictures, but very expensive, and hard to explain to my parents why I was taking pictures of random things and having them pay for developing and print.
Later, in high school, in an Arts and Crafts class, we had a semester with analogue black and white photography, and so, the first time that I developed and saw a picture appearing on paper inside the darkroom, I was hooked and never stopped ever since.
3. What are some tips you would like to share with amateur photographers?
Learn how to read light and work with it, not against it. We need to make people understand that it's never about equipment, software or perfect techniques (never shoot against the sun, for example), but rather light and its qualities and characteristics. That is the essence of photography, and the true magic happens when you learn how to read it, comprehend it, shape it. Everything else you can easily learn and practice with time.
The second is to experiment and try all sorts of techniques and formats. We all did pictures of flowers, animals, landscapes, family.. just keep shooting everything that interests you, and keep that passion going. There’s a famous quote that goes “your first 10.000 pictures are your worst ones” - and that is true.
4. What are the important skills one should have to be a successful photographer?
Patience, professionalism, constant learning, being humble, and always striving to improve. Growing contacts, become an expert in one or two fields of photography and have an impeccable and well-presented website /portfolio will help you grow your business if you choose to go professional.
5. What are various opportunities available for aspiring photographers?
A few years ago, E-commerce wasn’t even a thing. Nowadays, it is everywhere and still growing, and with it, the need for a lot of visual content, so there is a lot to do in photography for companies, retail, fashion, homeware, small businesses, designers etc. Again, if you become an expert, say in food photography, and learn how to grow your network, you will be the guy or girl a business will call to have some pictures done. You just have to start, make connections, some portfolio images and set yourself up.
6. Which is your favourite book and why?
Not related to photography, but with good inputs for everyone: "How to win friends and influence people", by Dale Carnegie.
Being a professional photographer since 2006, I grew up surrounded by pictures, drawings, cameras and a lot of passion for all visual arts, which translates into my work.
Born in Portugal and now living in Dubai, I always strive for perfectionism in both technical and aesthetical variants.
Expert in still life product photography, with a touch of image direction and videography, as well as large volume e-commerce studios implementation and coordination.
- Interviewed By Pratibha Sahani
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