victor jaramillo shared their story and experiences with us recently and you can find our conversation below.
Hi victor, thank you so much for taking time out of your busy day to share your story, experiences and insights with our readers. Let’s jump right in with an interesting one: Have you ever been glad you didn’t act fast?
I’m sure it would be that way, but the truth is I rarely act in haste. By nature, I’m quite impulsive. But early on, I realized the value of slowing down and being more reflective. That shift has shaped not only my artistic process, but also the way I navigate life and relationships. In photography, as in life, rushing often means missing the moment. I’ve learned to pause, to observe, to listen, because that space between impulse and action is where meaning lives. It’s a crucial lesson, both for creating art and for simply being present in the world.”
Can you briefly introduce yourself and share what makes you or your brand unique?
I’m a portrait photographer based in Miami, originally from Venezuela. My approach to photography always begins with people—I’m drawn to photographing those who genuinely interest or move me. There’s something about connecting with someone through the lens that never stops being powerful to me. Alongside my personal work, I do commercial photography as well, including events and corporate projects. I see every shoot as a chance to observe, to connect, and to make images that feel honest and intentional.
Great, so let’s dive into your journey a bit more. Who were you before the world told you who you had to be?
I was myself. But somewhere along the way, I got lost. Like many people, I followed a path that wasn’t truly mine—shaped more by expectations than instinct. I studied law because my father was a lawyer, and it felt like the thing to do. I don’t hold any resentment; it simply was the reality. For years, I lived a life that looked good on paper but didn’t feel aligned with who I really was. I worked in the corporate world, building a career as an attorney, while quietly setting aside what truly moved me.
My first experience with photography happened when I was seven—I made a portrait that I still keep. Even then, I could feel the power of capturing someone’s presence. That stayed with me, quietly, in the background.
In 2021, I made the decision to return to that original impulse. I chose photography—not as a hobby, but as the life I wanted to build. Since then, things have started to align. It’s been hard work, but deeply rewarding. I feel proud to have found my way back to what was always mine.
What did suffering teach you that success never could?
Suffering taught me to pay attention. It stripped away the noise and forced me to look inward, to question what I really wanted and why I was doing what I was doing. Success can be validating, but it rarely pushes you to transform. Pain, on the other hand, has a way of cracking things open. It taught me resilience, empathy, and a deeper sense of purpose. It made me a better artist… and maybe a better human, too.
Next, maybe we can discuss some of your foundational philosophies and views? What’s a cultural value you protect at all costs?
Respect. That’s the cultural value I protect at all costs. Genuine consideration for others—regardless of who they are, where they come from, what they look like, or what they believe. One of the biggest misconceptions is that we’re all the same. We’re not. We’re all different, and that’s not a flaw—it’s a fact. The only thing we truly share equally is dignity. And that’s exactly why every person deserves to be treated with respect. No exception.
Thank you so much for all of your openness so far. Maybe we can close with a future oriented question. If immortality were real, what would you build?
Honestly, I don’t think I would build anything. The sense of mortality is, for me, one of the greatest motivators in life. Knowing that time is finite pushes us to act, to create, to prioritize. If we were immortal, that urgency would disappear, and with it, much of the drive to make things happen. In my own experience, I often work best under pressure—deadlines, expectations, the awareness that time is limited. That pressure isn’t stressful in a negative way; it’s what sharpens focus and fuels creativity. Without it, I think life—and art—would lose a vital stimulus.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.bajitostudio.com/
- Instagram: @ba_ji_to
- Linkedin: victor jaramillo
- Other: threads: @ba_ji_to
Image Credits
Victor Jaramillo
