We recently connected with Kriss Hidalgo and have shared our conversation below.

Kriss, looking forward to hearing all of your stories today. Did you always know you wanted to pursue a creative or artistic career? When did you first know?

So the first time I knew I wanted to pursue a creative/artistic path professionally, was when I started the the Made By Anxiety rollout for Astrophobia. To give a backstory, I used to freelance as a side hustle creating song covers, concert flyers, and album covers in high school for local artists. And I didn’t honestly did not see myself taking it professionally because at the moment my main objective was my clothing brand at the moment in high school. But, now that I discontinued that clothing brand, and have been re-discovering my art. I found myself taking on creative endeavors for other creatives, from designing collections for brands based out of Miami, then the Made By Anxiety rollout for Astrophobia, and now I am curating my own concert. And I find myself very fulfilled creating art within Music. It has always been a part of me, whether I am drawing, designing a collection, modeling a collection, or just hanging out with friends. Music is there and always will be. So I can say it was when I knew the space I wanted to be involved in, is when I started to take it professionally.

Great, appreciate you sharing that with us. Before we ask you to share more of your insights, can you take a moment to introduce yourself and how you got to where you are today to our readers

So, as I previously stated, I was pretty ambitious in high school. I started my own clothing brand for fun, and I didn’t really get an allowance from my parents. So to fund my clothing brand production cost, I would use my design skills, and create covers and flyers for local artists. So, I was working as a freelance graphic designer. And whenever I had inventory for my clothing brand, I would direct photoshoots for the marketing, and throw myself in the pictures as a model. I graduated high school, went to college, and discontinued my clothing brand. And then got signed as model in Miami and Los Angeles. And I have been doing that for the past 3 years. Now feeling the need to come back to my roots, here I am. Moving out to Los Angeles, looking to take my art to the next level. Direct more album covers photoshoots for musicians, direct music videos, and design their tour merchandise. With also just curating more concerts between Miami, Los Angeles, and New York. What sets me apart from others, is just my versatility between all different mediums, I have been an assistant as photographer here in Miami, also been an assistant for a stylist in Miami as well. I’ve even styled & photographed a couple clients for New York Fashion Week and have had clients attend Met Gala after parties. I can say I am most proud of myself, is that for being 21. I have allowed myself to be open minded and experience wherever my creativity wants to take me. The main things I want potential clients and aspiring artists to know about myself is that I am not afraid to take on a project, when I have a mission I will get it done and executed to my vision. No matter what I have to learn.

Looking back, are there any resources you wish you knew about earlier in your creative journey?

Resources I wish I knew earlier in my own creative journey is that starting out, there is this grey space on taking on an opportunity for free or saying no and possibly closing a door on yourself. Honestly, this has been my biggest battle as a creative, for the past 3 years, I have been taking on majority of these opportunities and doing it for free, in order to plan a career for myself and put myself in the right room. Which it has, but there isn’t really anyone talking about it. On when there’s a right time to take on an opportunity or when you should be compensated. I have put a lot of money aside for opportunities and haven’t seen the financial benefit. But, really it is ultimately up to you to decide, if you don’t put your price out there and don’t advice anyone, people will 100% take advantage, no business ever wants to pay more then they want to, and if they see an opportunity for free they will always take it. You’re the artist, it is up to you, to decide your price. You control that. I wish we were able to just create and not have to worry about the financial side, but unfortunately, bills will come, and if you’re putting a lot of time aside might as well get compensated for it.

What can society do to ensure an environment that’s helpful to artists and creatives?

I believe what society can do best to support artists, creatives and a thriving creative ecosystem, this is what I practice, but I support local artists, and businesses. I used to support like the big name designers and such, and honestly if I don’t know the designer on a personal level why should I give them my money, when I have so many friends who create clothes, in which are much more unique because it’s their ideas, not many people know them, I know who they are and their values. and I am helping to fund their vision and continue something they love to do. I just think masses can do a much better at this. I feel everyone is so quick to give their money to these big corporations, while they to keep investing in marketing to continue those same people to continue buying and buying, and it’s just a cycle. I just rather that money go to someone I know on a personal level.

Contact Info:

• Website: linktr.ee/krisswhidalgo
• Instagram: instagram.com/krisswhidalgo
• Twitter: twitter.com/krisswhidalgo

Image Credits
Made By Anxiety Cover photo directed by Kriss Photographer @rueguh Made By Anxiety merch photographer @newvolume.ap Music video stills Director of photography Kriss