Afonso Salcedo
Afonso Salcedo
Photographer
Echo Park, Los Angeles, CA
www.afonso.me
instagram @afonso.salcedo
twitter @fonziewonzie
facebook
WHAT DO YOU DO?
“I’m a professional photographer focusing on portraiture, travel, and documentary. ”
Over the years I have worked in several fashion and commercial shoots, in-studio and on-location. I have also worked in the film industry for several years as a director / cinematographer creating content for companies such as MasterClass, Pixar, Disney, and others.
WHAT STEPS DID YOU TAKE TO GET TO WHERE YOU ARE NOW?
I've always carried a camera with me since I can remember as a kid. Right after I finished my college post-graduate degree, I decided to work in film and photography instead. The first film I worked on was Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban, and from then on I continued working on some of the most cherished films of all time. In between film projects, I would work as a photographer. My portfolio has grown since then, and at the moment I am focusing more and more on the photography side of my creative life, with shorter bursts into film every now and then.
How do you stand out in your field?
With my vast film experience in cinematography and lighting, I bring a unique sense of storytelling and composition to my photography. The way I see an image, direct a photoshoot, light a portrait, or work with people has been heavily influenced by my career in film and cinematography.
WHAT ARE YOU WORKING ON RIGHT NOW?
Conceptualizing and researching for a male model shoot playing with gender identity in a victorian type of era.
WHAT'S YOUR STYLE/PERSPECTIVE/TASTE? DO YOU HAVE A PROJECT THAT REPRESENTS THIS?
My whole portfolio is a great example of my style and taste. I love cinematic images and compositions. I work carefully with lighting for each of my shoots as a means for storytelling, and most of my work in portraiture, fashion and travel is a good showcase of that.
WE ARE ALL SLASHIES WITH MULTIPLE SKILLS, WHICH ONE DO YOU WISH YOU COULD DO MORE OFTEN?
Photography is definitely my priority right now, so I would love to do more conceptual fashion shoots and more portraiture. I already have an established career in cinematography for animation, but always interested in directing for live-action too.
WHAT IS FRUSTRATING YOU RIGHT NOW?
I am new to Los Angeles, so I'm new to the photography networking bubble here and to get new clients. I'm also still building my collaboration network here for potential stylists and hair and makeup artists to work alongside me on shoots.
IF YOU COULD HIRE SOMEONE FOR $20/HR, WHAT WOULD YOU HAVE THEM DO TO MAKE YOUR DAY EASIER?
Definitely as an assistant to take on potential leads for new clients, or even just as a photo assistant on shoots.
LET'S BRING OUT THE TIME MACHINE. WHAT DO YOU WISH YOU COULD HAVE TOLD YOURSELF, WHEN, AND WHY?
I would definitely have learned some business practices, since it's a big part of being an artist and it's something I always had to learn on my own. I feel if I had studied business for creatives early on, it would have helped me move forward at a faster pace.
IF YOU COULD TALK TO AN EXPERT TO GAIN MORE INSIGHT ON SOMETHING, WHAT WOULD IT BE ABOUT?
I always love to assist established photographers or experts in the field on their own shoots, so that I shadow them and see how they work with their clients, but I'm definitely always interested in learning the business approach to finding potential client leads and negotiating photoshoots.
WHAT KIND OF OPPORTUNITIES/PROJECTS ARE YOU LOOKING FOR?
I'm definitely always interested in portraiture and fashion shoots. I want to do more photojournalism and travel photography as well, and already have a pretty extensive portfolio to showcase my work in those areas.
DESCRIBE YOUR IDEAL JOB/CLIENT/COLLABORATION.
I love to create truly collaborate environments in my shoots, paired with a solid team of a stylist and a hair and makeup artist. If the budget permits, I love having a digitech on-site and a photo assistant, and that way we can all work together to allow the creative flow and synergy to happen. It makes clients comfortable, and it elevates the quality of the work tremendously.
WHAT IS YOUR HOURLY RATE, RETAINER, OR SALARY RANGE?
It completely depends on project. For a very simple headshot for a business profile that could be at the very least $500, but I've worked on shoots with all budgets. A typical portrait shoot could easily start at $1500, and commercial shoots have total different budgets. It really depends on the use-case for the images, and how they will need to be licensed for the client.
HOW SHOULD SOMEONE APPROACH YOU ABOUT WORKING TOGETHER?
Starting with a budget helps get an idea of potential limitations on the work, but a simple email will do.
HOW DO YOU STAY CREATIVE?
Constantly carry my camera with me, write, and surround myself in nature all the time.
This member profile was originally published in February 2020.