Today we’d like to introduce you to Julian Barreto.
Hi Julian, we’d love for you to start by introducing yourself.
Born and raised in Bogotá, Colombia in a time when the phones were still attached to the wall, kids used their imagination and physically go outside and play with other kids, the internet was in nobody’s mind and the main source of information was still the closest public library.
Art was born with me: Drawings, colors, paper, paint, comics, science fiction, and of course, movies. I can’t remember a moment when I wasn’t dreaming about traveling to space, exploring the deep blue sea, and “writing” a book to tell the world about those adventures.
I went to a technical high school where I learned to build industrial models to produce engine parts and after graduating and because of the fear of starving to death as an artist in Colombia, I went to study Science in Industrial Design. It was something still far away from the movie industry but close enough to learn how to use images instead of words to tell my stories.
In 1998, I graduated from design school and that gave me the structure and the tools to finally face the world on my own. I went out there got a job in a plastic goods factory, saved enough courage and money for a year, and with my parent’s help, I moved to the land of the free and the brave. I worked construction jobs, cleaned bathrooms, slept little, and dreamt a lot.
Then my first son was born, I felt both the joy and the pressure of that amazing gift of being a father and sometimes I felt like drowning in between both feelings; but Sebastian was the push I needed to decide to go back to school and learned what I was lacking to start materializing my dreams.
Went to art school and study Visual Communications with the hope of becoming a computer animator and someday being able to work at the Skywalker ranch. What I didn’t know was that life had much more ready for me and that I was going not only to learn computer animation but also, graphic design, photography, audio mixing, video editing, and storytelling.
Graduated in 2007 and by 2008 after working in the music and theatre industry as a stagehand first and lighting tech after, I decided to give it a chance in corporate America and got my first job as a graphic designer.
Worked 1 year as a designer and was promoted to Art director and put in charge of a small team of 4 other artists. We worked our minds to death and won the credibility and confidence within the company to start “playing” internationally. More responsibility and amazing projects came and after an internal organization restructuring, I was promoted to Creative Director for the America and the Caribbean.
By that time, I was already working with top advertising agencies, photographers, and producers, sharing our dreams and knowledge to create significant stories for millions of consumers out there.
After a great 10-year run in advertising as a director, I felt the need to pursue my passion for photography, and the ones who were once my vendors and coworkers, became the friends who gave me the opportunity to prove myself as an advertising visual storyteller, sometimes behind the lens and others behind the concept.
We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
Not a smooth road.
1. Leaving my home country and my family to try and make it in the USA.
2. Becoming a father at the age of 27 and being a provider in the real world while trying not to quit my dreams as an artist.
3. Divorce.
4. Epilepsia
5. Fighting my insecurities and childhood traumas
Thanks – so what else should our readers know about your work and what you’re currently focused on?
I’m an Artist with the sole objective to touch other people’s senses using visual communication tools and expose their minds to positive messages helping companies and organizations to improve their client’s way of life.
I consider myself a visual storyteller, who is able to research, write, sketch, compose, shoot and produce a concept making it a reality.
I’m proud of the passion that drives me to pour my soul into an image and give it all without hesitations.
Can you share something surprising about yourself?
I’m very insecure about the image people might have of me.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.julianbarretophoto.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/julianbarretobaron/
Image Credits
Julian Barreto, Billy Coleman, Pepsi Zero Chile, Carnival, Digicel Carnival, and Sebastian Barreto
