Today we’d like to introduce you to Luis Pabon.
Hi luis, we’re thrilled to have a chance to learn your story today. So, before we get into specifics, maybe you can briefly walk us through how you got to where you are today?
My journey started through my brother, an up-and-coming video director and editor, who gave me his old camera. What began as a simple hand-me-down quickly turned into a creative outlet and a genuine passion. I started bringing the camera everywhere, learning by doing, and falling in love with capturing real, unscripted moments.
At the same time, my main career has been in aviation. For the past 12 years, I’ve worked as a Quality Control Manager at an aviation company that repairs and overhauls aircraft equipment. That role has shaped how I approach everything—attention to detail, discipline, accountability, and performing under pressure are part of my everyday work.
Living in South Florida, I began applying for media credentials and was fortunate to be accepted to cover international soccer friendlies around the city. Being on the field in fast-paced environments pushed me to grow quickly and sharpen my storytelling. While photography started as a side hustle, I approached it with the same professionalism as my aviation career—showing up prepared, building trust, and delivering consistent, high-quality work.
Today, I balance both worlds: aviation as my primary profession and photography as a serious creative pursuit. Both demand precision and reliability, and both are driven by the same mindset—doing the job right and raising the standard every time.
We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
It definitely hasn’t been a smooth road. Balancing a full-time career as a Quality Control Manager in aviation with photography on the side has been one of the biggest challenges. Long work hours, travel, and early mornings or late nights meant a lot of sacrifices—sleep, free time, and sometimes personal plans—to be present and deliver at a high level in both roles.
Breaking into sports photography also came with its own hurdles. Getting credentials, earning trust, and proving consistency took time, and not every application or opportunity worked out. There were moments of self-doubt, especially comparing my work to more established photographers, and periods where progress felt slow.
Financially, investing in equipment without immediate returns was a risk, and creatively, learning how to perform under pressure in fast-paced environments required patience and persistence. But each struggle reinforced discipline, resilience, and attention to detail—traits I’d already built in aviation. Those challenges ultimately shaped my work ethic and helped me grow into someone who values consistency, professionalism, and continuous improvement over quick wins.
Appreciate you sharing that. What else should we know about what you do?
I focus on sports and live-event photography, with an emphasis on soccer. I specialize in capturing decisive moments, raw emotion, and the details that tell the story of the game. I’m known for being reliable, consistent, and composed in fast-paced, high-pressure environments.
What I’m most proud of is earning professional-level access and trust while building photography as a side pursuit. What sets me apart is my mindset—12 years as a Quality Control Manager in aviation shaped my attention to detail, discipline, and accountability. I bring that same standard to my photography, focusing on timing, storytelling, and delivering quality every time.
We’d love to hear about how you think about risk taking?
One of the biggest risks I’ve taken was pursuing photography at a professional level while maintaining a demanding full-time career. Investing time, money, and energy into equipment, travel, and credential applications without guaranteed returns wasn’t easy, especially knowing failure was a real possibility. Putting my work out there for review and comparison also meant risking rejection and self-doubt.
Contact Info:
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/luispabon_photography/?hl=en
- LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/luis-pabon-a32637b0/
Image Credits
luis pabon
calbvn hernandez (for the main one)
