We caught up with the brilliant and insightful Albert Font a few weeks ago and have shared our conversation below.

Albert, thanks for taking the time to share your stories with us today We’d love to hear about one of the craziest things you’ve experienced in your journey so far.

It was the height of the pandemic, New York City, 2020. Masks, lockdowns and hand sanitizer were the new normal. The team was deep in a Vogue photoshoot. Couture gowns, masked models and relaxed chic vibes around. Then the call came:

“Drop everything. You’re shooting Joe Biden and Kamala Harris in Delaware. Two days. Non-negotiable.”

For a moment, the room froze. Was this a prank? Nope. It was real. Secret Service. Level real. Within an hour, our entire schedule was nuked. Goodbye, Vogue. Hello, presidential chaos.

We wrapped the Vogue shoot late that night, buzzing with exhaustion, when an Uruguayan guy arrived at the studio to give us COVID tests. He was chatty and optimistic, talking about how he was starting a weed company back in Uruguay. “It’s the future of the world,” he said, grinning like he was letting us in on a secret. We were tired, but his energy was contagious. Already surrealist his tests came back negative, clearing us to move forward.

The next morning, we packed the van like we were heading to the moon: lights, grip, backdrops, cameras, tape, sandbags, tripods, and more tape for the tape. Delaware was only a few hours away, but the energy felt heavy, like we were carrying the weight of the entire shoot in that van.

When we arrived at the location, a theater in the center town, the venue was already crawling with Secret Service, a few bald strong guys with that scary pin in their blazers. The tension was palpable. They conducted their first round of checks before we were allowed to unload anything. After a few more Covid tests came the dog sweeps. Labradors sniffed every inch of our gear. C-stands, gels, sandbags. One of us joked, “Do they think we stuffed explosives into the backdrops?” No one laughed.

Oddly, the agents missed the intricate pieces for the altar we’d built into the set. When my colleague mentioned this, someone nearby whispered, “The magic is invisible to those who aren’t meant to see it.” It was eerie how true that felt.

We were finally cleared to set up for the pre-light. This wasn’t the day of the shoot, but we treated it with the same urgency. We had one hour to get everything ready. Every light and detail was placed with care. By the time we left the theater that night, the space felt ready to hold something significant.

The next day, the altar, a focal point of the setup, radiated a quiet power in front of the backdrop, candles, fruits and other objects. Their entourage arrived, first thing they said is “No full-body photos are going to be done today”. Everything changed, every movement we rehearsed, every photo agreed with the editors of the magazine, all we planned got vanished. OK, plans changed. Everything will be waist-up. Improvisation with experience. Everything will be fine, let’s just focus. The ones up there are protecting us anyway.

Kamala Harris arrived first. From the moment she walked in, the air seemed to change. She had a magnetic presence. Calm, commanding and deeply grounded. She wasn’t just entering a room; she was taking charge of it. Immediately, she noticed my colleague’s outfit, a bold, colorful ensemble and her Converse sneakers. “Love those shoes,” Kamala said with a warm, genuine smile, breaking the ice effortlessly. She was pure focus. Every movement, every angle felt intentional. She exuded a quiet power that the camera seemed to capture effortlessly.

Between shots, we took a moment to meditate. It wasn’t part of the plan, but in the midst of the surreal chaos it felt necessary. Kamala didn’t join, but her energy lingered as we centered ourselves in the space. Meditation and planning the next shot.

At one point, I stepped away for a quick bathroom break. Kamala happened to be there, in the same restroom. It was such a mundane moment that it felt surreal. A quiet pause amid a whirlwind of activity. The Secret Service, of course, followed me everywhere, their watchful presence a constant reminder of the stakes.

Later, Joe Biden arrived. He was every bit the professional, moving through the session with ease. After the most intense 5 minutes of my life, the future president elect casually FaceTimed my colleague’s parents, laughing and joking about Paella and his daughters like he’d known them for years. Somebody recorded everything with the phone, starstruck and stunned. He then asked us for a picture all together. The photography that gave me the next Visa to the United States of America.

When it was all over, we collapsed onto the theater floor, drainned with happines. Went to the hotel drowed myseld into the bathtub, eat sushi in the floor, with no table, no ceremony and with full of containers spread out between us, just exhaustion and relief, we laughed and let the adrenaline finally drain away.

The photos became iconic, gracing the cover of Time Magazine. But the real story, the Uruguayan COVID tests, the altar’s invisible magic, Kamala’s quiet strength, Biden’s Paella jokes and our post-shoot sushi feast on the floor, was something we carried with us.

To this day, when I tell people about that time I meditated in Delaware, set up an altar under Secret Service scrutiny and shared a bathroom with Kamala Harris, they think I’m making it up.

Trust me, I wish I was.

Albert, love having you share your insights with us. Before we ask you more questions, maybe you can take a moment to introduce yourself to our readers who might have missed our earlier conversations?

ARTIST BIOGRAPHY

Albert is a New York-based photographer from Spain. Albert has spent his years capturing the still image of people, cultures, and landscapes from around the world, to around the block, with a very unique and distinctive style. After living in London, Berlin, Barcelona, and Madrid studying different kinds of arts and giving to his professional life his own award of street photographer he’s settled in Brooklyn where his international career combines fashion and art worlds to create moody and emotive portraits. He photographs with many types of analog cameras and different types of film. He works around the world specialized in fashion photography, nevertheless he combines commercial projects with more personal ones. Those last ones are becoming his path in life and his discovery of emotions and feelings never before expressed. His work has been published in a worldwide’s magazines and he continues to exhibit his prints internationally in both solo and group exhibitions. He is concerned with the magic moment and has made a concerted effort to make sure nothing gets in the way of that. Every tool he uses to create his work is geared towards his philosophy of capturing that moment from his experiences.

ARTIST STATEMENT

I use photography as a means of self-expression. I make pictures for myself, to identify with hidden qualities of my character, to better understand my reality, and to express my interpretation of the world around me. A clearer understanding of myself and of my world allow me to explore fragments of life as an abstract form, and also to interact with people I would otherwise not be able to engage with. Eaten up with solitude and hopelessness my experiences bless me with the unparalleled direction style that characterized the graphic poetry and delicate cinematography. My choice of subject comes from my interest in ideas about beauty, and emotional connections. I enjoy finding photographs that capture candid moments. I photograph people in their natural environment because I want to preserve a moment in time. I am inspired to compose by the contrast of light and dark, while I use the changing light of day to arouse the mood of my dreams. Strangely, color has appeared in my work, slowly and without intention, concealing the black and white imagery of my past. The techniques and tools with each project or series often change, but the perspective, drama, and passion of the image remain consistent. My work can be recognized by a timeless and ethereal quality where the imperfections of the subject, camera, or technique are often highlighted as an integral part of the image. My photography evokes the passage of time. I use slow shutter speeds and double exposures to explore the nuances of movement and the modulation of time as it passes from past to present to future. My intention its intrinsic naturalness through a strikingly effective lightning that transform the people into wandering ghosts of reality in search of a meaningful existence. Everyone seems to live in darkness, standing in a terrible dream. How my world overwhelms my characters with is so bleak. Both the aesthetics and topic of my photos strongly correspond to my personal experiences. I think that nowadays I mostly explore areas that concern the sacred.
My art is a journey of self-discovery and self-expression. It is the process by which I choose to explore the people, things and world around me. I am fascinated by the subjective nature of events, how two people can have exactly the same encounter and have radically different interpretations and place different values on them. My experiences are both a source of pain and joy, my source of inquiry and inspiration.

Is there mission driving your creative journey?

At the core of my creative journey lies a simple yet profound goal: to express myself with complete freedom, allowing whatever thoughts, emotions and ideas come to mind to flow unfiltered and unrestrained. This mission is not just about self-expression but about cultivating an environment where authenticity thrives, quality becomes second nature and meaningful connections are nurtured among inspiring individuals.

Creativity, for me, is liberation. It is the power to turn the intangible into the tangible, to give form to fleeting thoughts and emotions and to create spaces where raw, unpolished ideas can flourish into something extraordinary. The act of expressing myself freely is a rebellion against the constraints of convention, a deliberate choice to embrace imperfection and vulnerability as the seeds of innovation.

However, true creative freedom cannot exist in isolation. It is a collective experience enriched by the presence of great people. Those who challenge, inspire and uplift. Surrounding myself with individuals who value excellence and authenticity creates an ecosystem where ideas are celebrated, refined and brought to life. These people, whether collaborators or audiences, act as mirrors reflecting perspectives I might have missed, adding depth and dimension to my creative output.

Quality, too, is a guiding principle in my journey. It is not about perfection but about intentionality. Ensuring that whatever I create is thoughtful, impactful and reflective of my values. Whether through words, visuals, or any medium, my goal is to craft experiences that resonate deeply, leaving a lasting impression on those who encounter them.

Ultimately, my mission is to live and create boldly, to speak truths that may otherwise go unspoken, and to build a community where freedom of thought and expression is celebrated. In this space, every idea has value, every perspective matters and creativity becomes not just a personal endeavor but a shared adventure.

This is the essence of my creative journey: a pursuit of freedom, excellence and connection, driven by an unshakable belief in the transformative power of expression.

How’d you build such a strong reputation within your market?

Building a reputation in any market is no small feat. It requires dedication, persistence and an unrelenting commitment to values. In my journey, three key principles have shaped my path and elevated my standing: the willingness to sacrifice for hard work, loyalty to my emotions and an unwavering sense of responsibility for my actions.

First and foremost, sacrifice for hard work has been the foundation of my growth. Success does not come without effort and I’ve embraced the long hours, challenges and moments of uncertainty as part of the process. This isn’t just about the physical act of working but the mental and emotional endurance required to continually push boundaries. Whether it meant perfecting a project late into the night, taking risks others hesitated to or continuously refining my craft, I have never shied away from giving my all. This commitment has not only produced tangible results but has also shown others in the market that I am reliable, persistent and serious about what I do.

Equally important has been my loyalty to my emotions. In a world where people often detach themselves to appear professional or impartial, I have found strength in staying true to how I feel. My emotions are the compass guiding my decisions, ensuring that everything I create or contribute is authentic and reflective of who I am. By embracing this emotional honesty, I’ve fostered trust among my peers and clients. They see that my work is not just a transactional output but a deeply personal investment and that authenticity resonates. It has helped me build connections that go beyond mere business and form lasting, meaningful relationships.

Finally, my sense of responsibility has been pivotal. The market values not just talent but also accountability Being someone who follows through on promises, owns mistakes and consistently delivers. I take responsibility for every action, every decision and every outcome, whether positive or negative. This has instilled confidence in those I work with, showing them that they can depend on me to act with integrity and professionalism. Over time, this reputation for responsibility has set me apart, making me a trusted figure in my field.

Together, these principles, sacrifice for hard work, loyalty to my emotions and responsibility for my actions, have not only built my reputation but also defined who I am within the market. They are the pillars of my success, shaping my identity as someone who is not just skilled but deeply committed, authentic and trustworthy. In the end, reputation is not something you build overnight. It’s the sum of your choices, your values and your consistent efforts and I am proud of the foundation I’ve created.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.albertfontgarcia.com
• Instagram: @al.bertfg