Today we’d like to introduce you to Wellington Guzman.
Hi Wellington, can you start by introducing yourself? We’d love to learn more about how you got to where you are today.
Hello and thank you for having me. My photography journey began in college although I did not know it at the time. I was studying Environmental Forest Biology at SUNY ESF when I had a chance to ravel to Australia to visit and study different ecosystems. I purchased a Cannon Digital Elf-state of the art at the time. I enjoyed taking pictures so much that I took a few classes junior and senior year at Syracuse University.
Well, I graduated and moved down to Miami to pursue a career studying reptiles. I worked in the Everglades and finally was able to purchase a nice camera and would only shoot nature and landscapes. During these early years, I assisted a wedding photographer to sharpen my skills. Years later I moved to the beach and met a friend, Nicole, working for an agency specializing in event production, influencers, and PR. They were working with a swimwear brand during Swim Week. She invited me to shoot BTS and runway. I enjoyed my experience there and continued to apply as press thereafter. This was about eight years ago.
Ever since that first runway experience, I began to invest into fashion photography: gear, tutorials, collaborations, etc. I began to use photography as a form of meditation, a way to be more social, as an outlet for creativity, a way to travel and to make money. Remember, my entire education was science-based so collaborating with others- while similar to science, allows for infinite possibilities starting with a simple concept. So being part of a group of creatives appealed to me.
I met my friend Florentina during an event she was organizing during Swim Week. She then invited me to be part of Fort Lauderdale Fashion Week. So now I am the official photographer of the event which we hold around March/April. Through FLLFW I have met other photographers, models, designers, and makeup artists. And as a result, I have been able to travel to Vegas and do shoots in the desert, New York City (my hometown) and shoot in the streets. I’ve also made other connections and this year was able to travel to Monaco and do video work during their first swim week runway show during the Grand Prix.
This has been a long year, but I hope it’s a steppingstone into more travel photoshoots and yet also more relationships with
local businesses to strengthen my reach in South Florida. Currently, I am working on my YouTube channel as part of my strategy of personal growth and getting to know the industry.
Can you talk to us a bit about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned along the way? Looking back would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?
Photography has not been a smooth road. Since I work freelance and don’t have a studio, my work depends on relationships, networking, and word of mouth. Additionally, I feel that marketing plays a large role in who sees me down here. And I did not go to business school!
Appreciate you sharing that. What else should we know about what you do?
As a photographer, I focus on fashion. Anything fashion and I’m there. Thus, I have shot engagements, maternity, portraits. But I would like my campaign shoots to precede me when I walk into a room. And I need to do much more. Notably, I am proud of my trip to Paris where I shot with a few models around town and for Oliver Zavi right by the Eiffel Tower. Ultimately, I would like my shooting style and the way I communicate with the team to set me apart from others.
Are there any books, apps, podcasts, or blogs that help you do your best?
Some of the resources I have used to help me in life and at work include but are not limited to: Steve Jobs by Walter Isaacson, Art of War, 7 Habits of Highly effective People, Strobist, YouTube photo/video channels, Lynda.com.
Contact Info:
- Website: http://www.wellingtonguzman.com
- Instagram: http://www.instagram.com/wellington_miami
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Wellington.Guzman.Photo
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCqlLIkIh5oev0pYmDm4SuSQ
