Meet Calvin Hernandez | Photographer

We had the good fortune of connecting with Calvin Hernandez and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Calvin, we’d love to hear more about how you thought about starting your own business?
To be honest, I never intended on starting a business. I was in art classes throughout high school and loved sketching and drawing (me and painting never got along) so I’ve always loved art in one form or another. After college, finding the time to sit down for a few hours at a time and just draw was difficult so I moved away from the artistic calling that kept gnawing at me like the Light at the edge of the Sea called for Moana (I guess you can tell I have little girls)

My wife and I had our first child in 2014 and I grabbed a small point-and-shoot camera from Best Buy. It was all down hill from there. I just got it so I can take cute pictures of the kid(s) as they grew up. I moved on to a better camera based on the recommendation of a co-worker a couple of years later. I took the camera everywhere, snapping everything I could and just having fun. I found a little escape from reality in photography.

A trip to Italy in 2019 solidified my love for photography. Having the chance to photograph historical architecture and the rolling countrysides; waking up at 4 am to walk across Florence from my hotel to catch a sunrise on the Piazzale Michelangelo. People also hit me up to tell me that the photos they saw posted were things they would have hung in their homes; that I should probably look at either selling prints or do something more with photography. That was something I wasn’t expecting to hear and I had that little person on my shoulder whispering in my ear, nudging me along.

When the time came for our 3rd child, it was 2020 and, as you know, the world was at a standstill. I had to step in and do my wife’s maternity shoot. They came out better than I thought they would. That was when that little voice stopped whispering and started screaming at me to do something. So I established The Picture Box Photography later that year and I love what I do. I love the creative outlet I have. I look forward to shooting at my local church, for Inter Miami’s supporter’s group called Vice City, and I love capturing special moments for families. Whether it is the start of a life together at a wedding, or a seasonal photoshoot with their kids. I found a way to help others preserve the important people and moments in their life, while I get to have fun and click away without feeling like I have to “work.”

Let’s talk shop? Tell us more about your career, what can you share with our community?
I specialize in photography, but I’m not limited to a specific genre. It’s what I’m most proud of about what I do. I can shoot a wedding, and then I can turn around and shoot a live concert, then come back and shoot a style session for a clothing brand launch. I love what I do and getting the opportunity to get new looks, new angles and to capture moments is a constant learning experience and building of a repertoire I can pull from for future gigs.

Getting to where I am today took work. It takes patience (that whole “Patience is a virtue” line was never something I liked hearing my mom say) and it takes hours of studying. I can’t begin to tell you the amount of time I spent on online watching videos of other photographers talking about the camera I was using and the capabilities it has. I spent hours watching content on how to maximize its potential, learning about exposure, and a myriad of stuff that goes into photography.

I’m still in the process of growing my brand, so I’m still learning lessons of balancing patience and persistence. How to let things happen while working hard on your craft so that you can show people what you’re capable of.

What I would like people to know is that I don’t do what I do out of necessity. Well, it’s a necessity in the sense that I feel called to do what I do and pursue photography as an outlet to appease my artistic need to express myself while simultaneously serving others. I do this because I love art, I love what I have been able to learn from it so far, and I look forward to learning more. Like I said earlier, I love learning more about my field every time I go out to shoot, but I love that I get to put a time stamp on a memory for families, businesses or really anyone to look back on and smile at.

Any places to eat or things to do that you can share with our readers? If they have a friend visiting town, what are some spots they could take them to?
Yikes… this is going to be an adventure. The Doral Yard is always a good time. It’s a closed off street with restaurants, live music, and food trucks where you hang out and have a good time. I got one of THE best churros I’ve ever had from Santo Dulce Churros. It’s heaven in a food truck.

I love the Gables and the character it brings. You can grab a bite to eat from a multitude of different restaurants around Ponce de Leon (I guess you can tell I like food). And then you can go grab a book from a neat little bookstore called Books & Books, ironically.

Los Altos is a dope little speak easy in Little Havana and it was a heck of an experience. I can’t spoil it for people who have never been there, but you would never guess that it was a speak easy (which is silly to say since that is the point, but I was truly baffled when that door opened). You have a fun night of drinks and dancing with a sweet view of the city.

Most of my friends are into sports, so I would take a trip to a Marlins game to go watch them in the air conditioned spaceship that is Loan Depot Park (Marlins Park?) and I would absolutely have to take them to Fort Lauderdale to watch Inter Miami CF play. It’s not going to be a lavish experience, though. Anybody can watch a game from the stands or in club seats and watch the team. If you want to FEEL a match, sit in the North Stand with Vice City and the band. The team could be losing by 1, 2, or 10 goals and you would never know it sitting with that crew.

The Shoutout series is all about recognizing that our success and where we are in life is at least somewhat thanks to the efforts, support, mentorship, love and encouragement of others. So is there someone that you want to dedicate your shoutout to?
Man, I couldn’t do what I do without God and the blessing of art and creativity He’s given me. He started me on the path sketching athletes on baseball and hockey cards when I was 8 years old (my mom still has them and it’s a painful reminder of what I considered art at the time… yeesh). He’s allowed me the avenues necessary to take this step in my life and I’m so grateful.

My wife, my long-time supporter, the coach in my corner, my voice of reason, and the one that slaps me back to reality when I need it. She pushed me to follow my dreams, tolerated me when I first started out taking photos, and allowed me to take umpteen pictures of her without complaining.

My parents, who have always been a positive influence in my life and have supported me in whatever career path I chose. My buddy Lenny who recommended the camera I upgraded to, which allowed me to see the potential in the photos I was taking. My cousin Aly who is always down to go and let me take shots of her to get some practice in.

I’d like to thank the people who have allowed me the opportunity to take photos throughout this young journey thus far; the families I’ve been blessed to photograph weddings and seasonal sessions for, Christian from Vice City Supporter’s Club, Potential Church in Cooper City, Ray Duker for allowing me the chance to shoot a favorite band of mine (that was a WILD ride), and all the people that have nudged me in the direction that put me where I am today. I’m grateful for all of you.

Website: www.thepictureboxphoto.com

Instagram: thepictureboxphoto