Meet Humberto Vidal | Professional & Fine Art Photographer

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

Hi Humberto, what is the most important factor behind your success?
When I go to a gathering or I talk with friends, when of the most frequent questions they ask is: how you did it? They are asking specifically about my career as a photographer. Previously I studied and worked in the Business Area. But as a Photographer or Artist, I think that the secret is first to love what you do, then never stop learning, and, finally, be patient and be persistent. If we take a look at any list of famous Photographers, there is going to be always something common to all, there are not young. Once I read or hear somewhere, that it takes about 10 years and full time for a Photographers to master the craft. I finished my studies 11 years ago, and from all my class and then all the students I had during 10 years as a teacher, maybe 2 or 3, are working as a full-time photographer. All others retired after a few months or a few years, Is not about that the market is not for photography as a full time, is not about technical or creative skills, is just a matter of really loving what you do and being very, very persistent. During the days I taught. I always asked the first day of classes: please raise your hands to those who have been in a gallery or museum recently. Nobody raised their hands. Then I rephrase the question and asked: when was the last time you went to a museum or gallery? And the answer was very simple: never.
If we don’t love, feel, breathe, what we do, especially in art careers, it’s very difficult to be a successful photographer. And then there are no shortcuts to master the craft, the only way is practicing and learning full time, and this requires a lot of endurance and determination. These are the keys not only for me but for any person to be successful in your career.

Can you open up a bit about your work and career? We’re big fans and we’d love for our community to learn more about your work.
I am a Professional Photographer, despite that, I do a lot of Commercial and Consumer photography, I lean more towards the Fine Art side. I always loved the field, but I could not study when I was younger because the moment or situation was the best to do it. I studied very late in my life and was initially just a hobby. But I started to receive commissions, then referrals, and there was a moment when I had to make a switch and I don’t regret the decision I made. It has not been easy, actually is very difficult to live just as a full-time photographer, but when you love what you do, this factor makes things a little bit easier. And then in order to improve and stay make it worthy, we have to study and learn full time, both the technical side and most important the creative one.

If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?
I live in one of the most beautiful places in the world. Wynwood is something from an artistic point of view that no other city has. Then we have 100’s of miles of beaches, one of the best shopping experiences at the Miami Design District, and culinary experiences for every taste and every budget.

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?
During my School years, with no doubt, I would say Don Sheffield and Andre West. Don was a Mentor as a Photographer and Andre introduced me to the Fashion World. Once I graduated I realized that I didn’t know too much about my field after attending a workshop about advanced fashion photography. Claudio Napolitano, a Hasselblad Master and one of the best current Photographers in the world just said to me: what do you want to learn? And finally, and despite we are no longer together, I have to recognize that Maria Mercedes Marco, supported me 100% during my initial years.

Website: www.humbertovidalphoto.com

Instagram: @humbertovidalphoto

Linkedin: HumbertoVidalPhoto

Twitter: @humbertovidalph

Facebook: @humbertovidalphoto