We recently had the chance to connect with Humberto Vidal and have shared our conversation below.
Humberto, a huge thanks to you for investing the time to share your wisdom with those who are seeking it. We think it’s so important for us to share stories with our neighbors, friends and community because knowledge multiples when we share with each other. Let’s jump in: What is a normal day like for you right now?
Honestly, my days start early—every single day, Monday through Sunday. I’m usually up between 5:30 and 6:00 a.m. to either hit the gym or go for a run. Fitness has been part of my life forever, so I stick to weights four or five times a week and run almost every day.
By around 9 a.m., I shift into “photographer mode.” That might mean heading out for a shoot, meeting a client, stopping by a photo lab, or sitting down to edit a batch of images. My lunches are pretty straightforward—clean, healthy food like salads, chicken, or fish. Nothing fancy, nothing fried.
Depending on the day, if I’m not tied up with shoots or client visits, I’ll lace up again for a second run in the afternoon. The rest of my time is usually a mix of creating and posting content, updating my online galleries, or working on prints across different platforms. Social media takes up a lot more of a photographer’s day than people realize.
At night, I slow down. I’ll browse books or magazines, dive into the work of other photographers and artists on YouTube, and then unwind with a Netflix series before calling it a day.
Can you briefly introduce yourself and share what makes you or your brand unique?
I’m Humberto Vidal, a photographer deeply inspired by beauty, art, and design. For me, photography is more than an image—it’s about capturing harmony, light, and emotion in a way that feels timeless.
Before devoting myself fully to photography about 15 years ago, I studied business and information technology and spent nearly two decades working in aviation. That career allowed me to travel extensively, experience different cultures, and develop an eye for perspectives that now fuel my work. In many ways, aviation taught me discipline, precision, and the value of seeing the world from multiple angles—all qualities I carry into my photography.
What makes my work unique is this combination of structured training and artistic intuition. I see photography as visual poetry: the balance of lines, light, and mood. My journey reflects not just a passion for art, but also a constant curiosity to merge past experiences with creative expression.
Appreciate your sharing that. Let’s talk about your life, growing up and some of topics and learnings around that. What was your earliest memory of feeling powerful?
One of my earliest memories of feeling powerful was when I was 18, right after finishing high school and before starting college. I decided to go backpacking alone to Paris, France. I still remember stepping out into the city with nothing but my backpack and my curiosity, and instantly feeling like a fish in the water. That experience gave me a sense of independence and confidence—it showed me that I could navigate the world on my own and truly belong anywhere I chose to be.
What have been the defining wounds of your life—and how have you healed them?
Several times in my life I’ve been told to quit or pivot, and those moments have actually fueled me to push further. When I was a kid, I remember my pediatrician telling my mother that once I started college or working as an adult, I would stop “playing sports all day.” Well, I’m almost 62 now, and I’m still “playing” every day—running, training, moving.
Later, during my IT Master’s, one of my professors suggested I should quit after I failed a circuit boards architecture class. Instead of giving up, I doubled down and ended up finishing my degree with the best thesis in my class, specializing in Computer Reservation Systems.
For me, those moments are reminders that other people’s limits don’t have to become your own. They pushed me to stay true to my passions, stay disciplined, and keep proving to myself that perseverance is more powerful than doubt.
Next, maybe we can discuss some of your foundational philosophies and views? What are the biggest lies your industry tells itself?
It’s not exactly a lie, but the industry rarely tells the whole story. In photography—and perhaps in other fine arts—recognition and fame often come very late in life. This isn’t a craft where success is immediate or accessible to everyone. To truly become good, it can take decades of practice, experience, and refinement. Yet, nobody tells you this in school or even on YouTube tutorials.
Okay, so before we go, let’s tackle one more area. What do you understand deeply that most people don’t?
What I understand deeply is the importance of never stopping learning. I’m 62 years old, and I’ve already earned five college degrees in business, IT, and the arts—but I’m still eager to study more. I’m planning to pursue an MA in Art Business, as well as programs in Graphic Design, Video Production, and other fields. The point is simple: growth doesn’t have an age limit. We should never stop being students of life.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://humbertovidalphoto.com/
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/humbertovidalphoto
- Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/humbertovidalphoto
- Twitter: https://x.com/humbertovidalph
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/humber01
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@humbertovidalphoto
