Today we’d like to introduce you to Libertad Rodriguez.
Hi Libertad, thanks for sharing your story with us. To start, maybe you can tell our readers some of your backstory.
I am a Cuban Architectural Designer and Principal of PHL & Services, a photography business about Architecture and Interior design. My passion is to admire the reaction of my clients when they see their designs thru mi pictures. That is the best accomplishment I can have from my work.
I was born in Havana, Cuba in 1983.
After I graduate of Architecture and Urban designer at Havana’s School of Architecture in 2006, I became a professor in the same school of Architecture, where, a colleague and I opened a photography course, to help the students using the potential of any camera they have. That was a great challenge because we had to study so much about photography, concepts, skills. I also coursed a postgraduate program so I became a Master degree in Heritage management.
I moved to Cuernavaca in Mexico in 2011, where I also was a professor at the School of Architecture of Morelos, and, two years later, I relocated and established in Miami, with my husband. I worked as an Architectural Desginer at sdh studio, an architecture and interior design firm. I had the opportunity to photographs the residences we developed at office, so it was a great opportunity to build a portfolio.
After my second child was born, I decided to follow my dreams on my own, and I launched my architectural photography studio in 2017 when I moved out to Palm Beach County. When I decide to run my business of Architectural photography, I did not have budget for that. It is important to say that the photography equipment is very expensive and it is hard to buy all the needs at the beginning with no budget. So I started with my camera Canon 6D and I use to rent special lenses if I had a photo-shoot. This kind of things was happen every time, until the Arquitect I was working for: Stephanie Halfen, bought my first lens 17 mm TS (special lens for architectural photography and a very expensive one) and the method of payment was doing the shoots of some houses they already designed and built. I felt honored and thankful for that gesture, and I never forget it. It was the beginning of my career as a professional photographer.
It was very hard at the beginning since all my clients were in Miami, so I had to work harder to keep me on business from the new location. Thanks to the help of my family, and some decisions in between, I was able to get up and continue growing my business.
The photographs have been released in some Florida’s Magazine and Ecuador. ie Florida Design, Luxe Magazine, Ocean Home, for mention some of them.
Some Awards:
-Honorable Mention – AIA International Photography Competition 2018
-AWARD COLOR PHOTOGRAPHY. National Contest of Regional Architecture Photography, Havana, Cuba/2005 & 2009
-HONORABLE MENTION PHOTOGRAPHY. Bi-annual International Photography. Meeting of Latin American Students of Architecture, Guatemala City, Guatemala/ 2008
SPECIAL MENTION PHOTOGRAPHY. Bi-annual International Photography. Meeting of Latin American Students of Architecture, Havana, Cuba. 2005
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?
Not a smooth road at all.
One of struggles was the culture, to understand the industry and have the knowledge to deal with business management.
Another was the language. English is my second language and it was a barrier during the first years.
Family, definitely demands attention and lot of time.
Alright, so let’s switch gears a bit and talk business. What should we know?
I am an architectural designers and photographer who works for Architects, Interior Designers. Contractors. I believe I can understand how the architects and interior designers visualize their space and how they want to perpetuate their designs.
Photos and media are the only prove between the final product and the rest of people.
I specialize in architecture and interior design photography. People know me as an architectural photographer. I believe the knowledge of my first career (Architecture) is crucial in my work. I try to capture the soul of the spaces, feelings, and details.
I am proud of a good part of my works. I love when the clients fall in love with the result. All their criteria is priceless for me.
I always want to give all my knowledge in every space I shoot. I love to wait until the best time to capture a great shot. I don’t hesitate to spend more time on location or editing a photograph because my clients expect the best of the spaces, and that is my goal. My job is my passion, I never feel I am working when I am shooting a house, or I am editing.
Any big plans?
I would love to grow as a photographer and as a business. I am looking forward to help as many architects, designers, and construction companies to capture their work. I would love to work closely with great magazines.
Contact Info:
- Email: [email protected]
- Website: https://www.phlservice.com/
- Instagram: @phlphotography
Image Credits
Erick Coto Angie Beth Avendano Libertad Rodriguez
