We’re excited to introduce you to the always interesting and insightful Joao Portugal . We hope you’ll enjoy our conversation with Joao below.
Joao, thanks for joining us, excited to have you contributing your stories and insights. How did you learn to do what you do? Knowing what you know now, what could you have done to speed up your learning process? What skills do you think were most essential? What obstacles stood in the way of learning more?
The way I started my photography business was memorable. In high school, my sophomore year, my band director was also a photographer; he mainly did wedding photography. He was telling people in the band who wanted to take pictures for the band banquet, and I wanted to do it as it would be cool but also get community service hours. I enjoyed it as it was astonishing to take pictures of my fellow bandmates after our accomplishment and for our fellow seniors to leave a landmark in this band family. Afterward, I was in charge of a leadership role in my band, content creators. I was put to take pictures of the band and record live streams for our concerts and many performing arts in the school. At first, this was challenging as there was much stuff put in my hands, but after help from my band teacher teaching me all of the fundamentals of camera work and adequately learning how to stream a live stream properly, I feel that I could have done to speed up my learning was I could’ve asked questions on what to do and how I could ensure my photos are composed and very sharp. The skills that were most essential were going out and taking pictures. It seems basic, but the fact that I go out and take photos of what I want to have as a career and the feedback from my band director helped me become a better photographer because I firmly believe that success and hard work don’t come to you have to put in the work.
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.
I’m Joao Portugal, a passionate photographer focusing on sports and portrait photography. My love for photography started in high school when I was handed a role to take pictures of my school band. My band teacher, a wedding photographer, let me borrow his Sony A7RIII, and I enjoyed that he taught me many essential aspects of the photography world with his feedback on how to make my work stand out. I started taking pictures of soccer games for my local team called Del Barrio and realizing the love of soccer and photography, I knew I could use this as a career, and I could use to gain a new audience. As I grew in my craft, I expanded my services to cater to my clients’ needs. I assure my clients that I take crisp, vibrant photos of them and their special moments. At the age of 17, I’m suitable for my age and destined to get better and better at my work, and I plan to take pictures for professional games in the United States and Europe.
What’s been the best source of new clients for you?
The best source of new clients for me is by heading out to sporting events, taking pictures, and reaching the athletes who played in the sporting events and showing them the work I had and if they would like to purchase the photos and open to take pictures for them and their team.
Can you tell us the story behind how you met your business partner?
I met Chidike Nwankwo during band and school. He’s my classmate and a good friend. He asked me to take pictures for his gospel group for his church and took pictures for him and his group. He enjoyed the photos and asked me to take pictures for him and work beside his company, and to this day, he is a good friend as we both have each other back.
Contact Info:
- Instagram: portugal_photography731
Image Credits
Joao Portugal Chidike Nwankwo