Today’s interview features Pictage community leader and Miami based fashion and wedding photographer, Carlos Baez.
Carlos on “Back to Basics” from CARLOS BAEZ on Vimeo.
Describe your photography style or words that describe your brand?
Fashion forward, elegance, and high end.
What is your favorite thing to shoot?
Women have always been the majority of my photography work, so, Fashion and Nudes. Most of my
brides love that about me.
What is a must read or must see?
I’m about the 80’s, so “BladeRunner” or “Purple Rain” are must see, visually & musically intoxicating.
What is your favorite thing about Pictage?
EVERYTHING! I’ve been with Pictage since 2001, I average about $1,500 a month in royal checks.
What lens could you not live without?
85mm 1.2
How do you juggle your business and family/social life?
I am ALL about family. We work from our home/gallery. We keep the office hours 9 to 5, so that way our boys know there is a schedule for mommy and daddy.
What workflow tools do you use?
For image editing(deleting & tagging), Photomechanic by Camerabits.com
Lightroom for color management.
How long does it take you to upload to Pictage?
We send in DVD’s via FEDEX of our weddings already categorized and color corrected, 4 days after the wedding.
How long have you been a photographer?
Proudly for 25 years.
What was your very first job?
Mowing lawns when I was 7. Ended up doing everyone’s lawn in the neighborhood until I was 15.
Most listened to song on your ipod?
“Baby I’m a Star” by Prince
What is something you have learned this year?
That 2 weeks of vacation is not enough.
What is a goal for 2010?
Putting on a huge gallery show of my Fine Art work, covering 25 years of my career.
What is one thing we don’t know about you?
That I was the Florida state champion cyclist in sprints for 3 years straight in the early 80’s.
Who inspires you?
I draw inspiration from many sources:
Mainly my children, to remain humble.
In photography all the great photographers that I was fortunate to assist, mostly
the late great Helmut Newton.
How do you get most of your bookings?
Primarily referrals.
What is your primary way of marketing?
Keeping my current and previous clients happy.
What blog do you stalk?
None, don’t have the time.
If you had a tagline, what would it be?
Be honest, because the truth is always the best way, a nd you can sleep at night.
Any words of wisdom to share…
I have found in my career it’s best to shoot what really comes from my visual soul, not what I think others want to see. If I love it, I know others will too.
“Every morning in Africa, a gazelle wakes up. It knows it must run faster than the fastest lion or it will be killed.
Every morning a lion wakes up. It knows it must outrun the slowest gazelle or it will starve to death.
It doesn’t matter whether you are a lion or gazelle. When the sun comes up, you better start running.”
– African Proverb
What’s next on the agenda for you?
“Shoot Fashion with Carlos Baez” – This workshop came from many years of people asking how do I get the shots that I do. It’s about creating amazing images that are striking and get your clients attention.
I am keeping the workshops to 8 attendees to be able to teach everyone there individually so each photographer, whether beginner or advanced, everyone get’s something out of it.
The next workshop is in Chicago on October 13th, and there are just a few seats left.
Also,
Can’t wait to see and meet all of you who are going to Partner Con New Orleans. I find Partner Con to be such a fun and sharing environment, I’ve met some of my best friends there.
I know you might be intrigued about my presentation or even a little excited, but in New Orleans, everything is known to be ” Rated MA: For Mature Audiences Only”.
Trust me, my presentation will get you inspired, laughing, and possibly dancing! You won’t need your Starbucks for this one.
For more on Carlos, visit him at:
Portfolio: www.carlosbaez.com
Blog: www.carlosbaez.net
Twitter http://twitter.com/CarlosBaez
Facebook http://www.facebook.com/carlos.baez