Oscar Montes works as a photographer at O.M. Photography (Freelance), where he has been employed for about three years. He is self-taught and currently working under a mentor. He has been in the field of photography since 2021-2022.
Here’s what he had to say about his job:
What inspired you to pursue this career?
It all started back in high school during an after-school field trip. I can’t really say that I recall what the trip was about. However, cameras were involved, which was my first time holding one. I remember it being a Nikon brand. You could say that the field trip was what inspired me to become a photographer, although at the time I wasn’t sure that it would be the career I wanted to pursue. I was just a high school kid who was still learning about what I wanted to do with my life. Fast forward 10+ years later, I am doing photoshoots with amazing, talented content creators.
Can you describe your creative process when working on a new project or shoot?
The creative process I go through whenever I start a new project or photoshoot is that I start to brainstorm a concept. Pinterest is the best way to find inspiration whenever you’re looking for ideas. I work on a mood board whenever I start to plan out the photoshoot. I look for colors, texture, outfits, and lighting. Once that gets figured out, I start to plan a date and time with the client. In the end, everything comes together, and it becomes one beautiful piece of art. In the words of Rick Rubin, “The imagination has no limits.”
What types of photography do you specialize in, and how did you choose that focus?
I chose to focus more on creative portrait photography because I get to be more hands-on and more creative. I don’t really do events such as weddings and quinces because there is a lot going on in the environment that sometimes makes it hard to focus on the subject. Nevertheless, I enjoy what I do.
What challenges do you face in the photography industry, and how do you overcome them?
One of the challenges I face in the photography industry is trying to stand out. What makes me different from the other photographers? There are many amazing and talented photographers in the industry with their own unique styles. Your style of photography is what defines YOU.
How do you stay current with the latest trends, equipment, and techniques in photography?
The way I keep track of all the latest trends is through social media platforms. I use Instagram, Pinterest, YouTube, and TikTok. Social media is the best way to catch up on the latest trends around the photography industry.
What’s the most rewarding part of being a photographer?
The rewarding part of being a photographer is seeing the final product come to life. It’s also rewarding to see the client happy with their photos. Another thing that feels rewarding is seeing clients using their photos as their main profile photo, whether it’s for social media or work.
Can you share a memorable project or photo that had a significant impact on your career?
It’s honestly hard to share a project that was memorable. I believe that my first photoshoot I did that set off my career path was for a dancer. She was my first paid client that I’ve ever had, and because of her, I started to gain more of a following, like other dancers within communities.
How do you approach working with clients, especially when they have specific expectations?
When clients have specific expectations, I make sure they are met. We both go over the mood board that has been created. I ask the client if they have any specific poses they want to do or a specific background color. After I shoot the first couple of photos, I show them to the client to make sure they are happy with the theme before moving on. If they feel like they need to retake a photo, then we’ll retake it. It’s all part of the process.
What advice would you give to someone looking to pursue a career in photography?
The advice I would give to other artists looking to pursue photography is to do it. If it’s something you love to do, then pursue it. The camera is your brush, and the world is your canvas—start creating. Practice makes perfect; learn as much as possible, whether it’s through tutorials or a mentor.
How has the photography industry evolved since you started, and where do you see it heading in the future?
Since I started photography, there have been changes such as the use of programs they’ve updated to make editing more efficient. They have added the use of AI as a tool to help the editing process be easier for us artists. As far as I can tell, I see that photography tools will expand. There will be more photographers coming into the industry.
