We recently connected with Maicol Osorio and have shared our conversation below.
Alright, Maicol thanks for taking the time to share your stories and insights with us today. The first dollar you earn is always exciting – it’s like the start of a new chapter and so we’d love to hear about the first time you sold or generated revenue from your creative work?
This is my first time doing Headshots, and I earned my first dollar. I had just joined the Peter Hurley HeadshotCrew and had worked on my color and formatting for the Headshots. I had an actor book me and purchased 4 images because they loved them. I was so excited, and it led to my headshot career.
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 had always loved photography but was afraid to venture into that space. So, I went into computer technologies because it was an up-and-coming field, but photography always ventured into my mind. I purchased one of the first Fuji digital cameras to be released and would periodically pick up and update Konica or Minolta. Toward the tail end of 2013, my best friend convinced me to buy an SLR, and as a gift, she enrolled me in several photography courses. At the time, I completed the courses and attended the New York Institute of Photography to gather more field knowledge. I started following photographers on social media, particularly Ryan Parker. I loved his work. One year (October 2014), I met Ryan Parker at Photo Plus New York, where he introduced me to Peter Hurley. Little did I know that would be the beginning of my photography. I joined the Peter Hurley HeadshotCrew, and it launched my love of photography.
Can you share a story from your journey that illustrates your resilience?
Most photographers, not members of the Peter Hurley HeadshotCrew, are unaware of this, but Peter is big on getting your color right and making people look their best. We have what we call Tough Love Tuesdays, where we submit a headshot image of the week, and Peter reviews it. We have our moments when Peter shoots you down where you will get angry because you think your shot is the one, but you breathe through it and realize Peter is right. So you take your moments, but you get up and try again; some photographers can’t, and they quit the crew. To become an associate, we have to get 15 photos we have taken by Peter. That means your color needs to be right, no double chinsville as we call it, and capture the look from the person. Once you can do that Peter will raise you to associate level. Some people believe that’s where it ends, but no, Peter is always pushing us to do more, to be more; why do we love the Crew? It keeps us accountable for our work.
What do you find most rewarding about being a creative?
The look on the person’s face when they realize that it’s them in the photo. I have had people cry, not believing they were the person in the photo. Just that look of being happy that I helped them look their best is why we do this. It’s the emotional high we get when you love your photo.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.maicolphotography.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/maicolheadshots
- Facebook: https://www.facebookcom/photosbymaicol
- Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/mosorio/
- Twitter: https://www.twitter.com/photosbymaicol
- Other: Second Instagram account https://www.instagram.com/photosbymaicol
Image Credits
I took all the images, and I own the rights to them. No one is under the age of 18.