Today we’d like to introduce you to Eduardo Schneider.
Eduardo, we appreciate you taking the time to share your story with us today. Where does your story begin?
When I was a teenager – growing up in São Paulo, Brazil – all the signs indicated that I would pursue a career in technology. I love computers and everything else with buttons and a screen. My language arts teacher in high school was the one that saw my talents for writing and influenced me to look into the communications field. Right around that time, I got a job at a radio station and that was the last push I needed to decide I wanted to study journalism.
In college, I started working as a writer for a Tennis magazine – a sport I’ve played competitively since I was 13 years old – and fell in love with magazine publishing. Mostly because magazine editorials allow us to go deeper into the stories, while newspaper and radio journalism suffer from time and space limitations.
At that point, I wasn’t much interested in the design or photography aspects of producing a magazine. I preferred the interviews, writing and editing. I was privileged to have worked for some of the largest publishing groups in Brazil and collaborate with very high-profile writers, editors, art directors, and photographers which were fundamental in developing the professional I am today.
In the mid 90s, I decided to move to the United States and was immediately hired by a weekly Brazilian newspaper where I did a little of everything. I was the editor-in-chief in the morning, art director in the afternoon, and photographer by night. After two years I felt I needed a new challenge and accepted a position of Art Director at Vitale Advertising, a local Miami agency, where I developed campaigns for clients such as Universal Studios, DirecTV, major international airlines, banks and other companies in a variety of fields. Six years later, I was back in magazine publishing as art director for Zoom Media Group in Miami Beach. It was at Zoom that I met Alberto Mosquera, the company’s photo editor, who would later become my photography mentor and, ultimately, responsible for my development as a full-time professional photographer.
A few years later, accepted a position as Creative Director for Perfect Vision Media Group and that’s when I jumped into photography to complement my creative vision for several articles in different magazines published monthly. The flagship magazines Lincoln Road, Las Olas, and International Yachtsman allowed me the opportunity to go out there and experiment with photography in a way I hadn’t had the chance before.
In 2005, Lincoln Road Magazine was the recipient of many Florida Magazine Association awards (Charlie Awards), including Best Single Original Color Photo, which was my first photography award. I was also named Art Director of The Year in the same event. By then, I was incredibly happy splitting my workdays between art direction and photography.
Shortly after that, I began receiving requests to provide creative consulting services to publishing companies in Florida and other states. Until I accepted the position of Group Art Director with Boca Raton Magazine where I was asked to lead their first full magazine redesign in 10 years.
A few years later, I decided that it was time to go on my own and created Schneider Photography and FIlm. I dedicate most of my time to producing photography and film for corporate, private, and non-profit organizations but still find the time to serve those who need art direction as well. I’m very proud to work with companies such as Lifestyle Media Group, Venice Magazine, the Florida Panthers, Miami City Ballet, Bankers Healthcare Group, Horus Straps, Mundial, and so many other amazing clients.
Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
If the road gets too smooth, it’s time to find other roads. I believe we learn more from our misses than from our hits. And as we learn, the ratio turns in favor of the hits. I consider myself very fortunate for landing jobs where I had the opportunity to work with incredibly capable professionals. I truly credit much of my success to the fact that these professionals shared information, knowledge, and wisdom I apply every day and in everything I do.
Of course, I had to find my language and develop my ways of doing things – and that was the biggest struggle at first. We tend to compare ourselves with other professionals, which is a big mistake. Everyone has a different perspective and until you start executing based on your own, you’re just copying someone else. Being original in this field is not easy but it is what separates one professional from another.
As you know, we’re big fans of you and your work. For our readers who might not be as familiar what can you tell them about what you do?
When people ask my wife what I do, she starts listing it in alphabetical order. But then I just say: “I’m a creative professional”. I’m a full-time professional photographer, film producer, and graphic designer. I’m not great at planting or caring for plants but most of the professional seeds I have placed out there resulted in great projects with great clients. It takes passion, time, and hard work, but eventually you’ll harvest the results.
I love the fact that my work with clients such as The Womens Fund of Miami Dade, and the Tri-County Animal Rescue help change the lives of people – and animals. It causes a real impact, and we can only expect a better world if we contribute to it.
On the corporate side, working with The Florida Panthers, for example, is a huge treat. I have been collaborating with them on special projects and one of them resulted in having my photos decorating the entire FLA Live Arena. As a Panthers fan, it’s a special feeling to see my photos printed larger than life everywhere when I go watch a game. The Miami City Ballet is also a wonderful organization to work with. Collaborating with one of the best ballet companies in the U.S. is a big responsibility but also a huge pleasure and honor.
As I mentioned before, I compared myself with other professionals and finaly realized that was a mistake. I started loving what I do when I realized I don’t have to be better than other people, Instead, I must try and be better today than I was yesterday. This train of thought helped me focus on who I am and how I want to interact with other people. The result is getting asked almost every day by the people I work with: “you love what you do, right?” to which I answer, “every second of it”.
What does success mean to you?
My father passed away just over a year ago. There was not much money in his bank account. He didn’t own much property and drove an older car. And yet, he was one of the most successful persons I’ve ever met. His legacy is what makes him successful. Success has different meanings for different people and is often associated with money and power. I take a more spiritual approach to success now than I did when I was younger.
I give more value to the conversations I have with people I meet, the time spent with my family, my wife, and my daughters, and to the experiences I have access to because of what I do and who I am. Much like I see my father now, I hope people can say I was successful when I’m no longer here, not because of how much money, power, and fame I was able to collect. But because of the positive impact I hope I was able to make in their lives.
Contact Info:
- Website: www.schneiderphotofilm.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/schneiderphotofilm/
- Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/schneiderphotofilm/
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@schneiderphotofilm
