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

Nico, looking forward to hearing all of your stories today. We’d love to hear about a project that you’ve worked on that’s meant a lot to you.

One of the most significant projects I’ve worked on involves photographing extreme sports and activities, particularly in outdoor settings. I focus on showcasing sports such as mountain biking, rock climbing, UTV racing, and more. Among these experiences, one stands out as particularly more meaningful to me.

Last year, in October of 2023, I connected with a photographer I have highly admired for a while, Christian Pondella, a photographer I’ve long admired for his expertise in adventure sports photography. Christian connected me with the team at Red Bull which allowed me to gain access to photograph an event I had always dreamt of capturing: Red Bull Rampage. This event epitomizes extremity and intensity, and being able to capture its energy was truly epic.

I started my photography journey when I was in high school. One of my dreams was to shoot with Red Bull, as they are one of the most iconic brands for their epic and high-energy events. I shared my aspiration of photographing with Red Bull with my high school algebra teacher when she expressed unwavering faith in my abilities. Since then, the path has been a roller coaster ride filled with challenges and triumphs. Yet, every step has been worth it as I’ve honed my craft and shaped myself into the photographer I have only ever dreamed of becoming.

The opportunity to photograph Red Bull Rampage remains the highlight of my career thus far. The images I captured not only showcase athletes pushing the boundaries of human capability but also symbolize the culmination of my hard work and dedication as a photographer.

Nico, 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?

I am a commercial photographer. I specialize in crafting stories that help brands elevate their message. While I have experience across various niches, such as product, fitness, and portraiture, my true passion lies in outdoor adventure photography. Capturing the spirit of adventure resonates deeply with me, as I’ve always been drawn to the active outdoor lifestyle. Being amidst athletes and individuals who share such a strong passion for their sport or activity is a privilege beyond compare. Beyond photography, I have expertise in video production, social media management, and strategy. Offering content creation and social media management packages, I work closely with clients to develop strategies, produce content that displays their brand message, and curate their online presence to build a community. Social media can be a beast of its own, but my aim is to simplify the process, ensuring that each piece of content reflects the brand’s essence and engages their community.
As a photographer I am most proud of the moments I am able to capture and the vision I have to conceptualize and essentially create a picture in my mind before it happens. It’s extremely gratifying when that vision translates through the final product of the photo showcasing the true energy of the moment.

For you, what’s the most rewarding aspect of being a creative?

The most rewarding aspect to me as a photographer is to be able to effectively portray my subjects by capturing them in a way that both honors them and tells their story accurately. Whether it’s a business, a prominent figure, or an athlete, it’s crucial to use the knowledge I have gained and leverage my creativity to portray my subject in a way that best honors and represents them. Since creativity and perspective are subjective from person to person, collaboration is essential to ensure that the final outcome results in something meaningful to both myself and the subject.

Is there something you think non-creatives will struggle to understand about your journey as a creative? Maybe you can provide some insight – you never know who might benefit from the enlightenment.

I think it’s important to understand that the journey of a successful creative requires a specific dedication and persistence. Our minds operate differently, and we see the world in such a unique lens. The countless hours devoted to refining our craft, navigating repeated trials and errors, and constantly adapting our methods showcase the dedication we have to our craft. Many may not see nor understand this but to truly excel, one must possess a certain level of obsession. This dedication may be misunderstood by some as neglecting others or other experiences, but it honestly reflects the level of connection we have to our work. Many times, I miss out on certain experiences or cut time short with certain people, not intentionally but because of the simple fact that I love what I do, and I want to be great at it and understand its ins and outs.

Contact Info:

• Website: nicocarrillo.com
• Instagram: @nicocarrillophoto
• Linkedin: www.linkedin.com/in/nicocarrillo

Image Credits
Nico Carrillo