LaChapelle, Bruce Weber, Albert Watson, Wayne
Isham, Dave Meyers, Nigel Dick, and Jon Chu. This
is a great achievement. Tell us more about that.
I work in production for TV commercials, music
videos, photography, performance shows, and anything
you can put a camera in front of and get media
exposure for. I love my job. Sometimes, it can be crazy
—filled with a lot of stress, egos, deadlines, travels, and
very long days without much sleep—but it is always a
creative process, and every job is different. No matter
how simple the job is, I put my heart into it. I think of
every detail, and I never accept anything I'm not one
hundred percent happy about. When working with
other artists, you not only need to go with your
instincts, but you also need to try to feel what a singer
or actor is bringing to the picture, put it all together,
and manage the egos that are riding along. When you
love what you do and put your heart and soul into it, no
one will make you feel wrong or insecure. The clients
will ask for changes, as their egos are demanding, but
most likely, if you follow your instincts, people will
follow them, too.
I work with some very strong and successful
personalities, and so far, every experience has been
pleasant and positive. From the young Rihanna to
Jennifer Lopez, I find the warm and humble side of
each artist I work with, and I stick to it during the job.
Sometimes I direct a piece. Other times, I do
production design, or I'm just a creative director.
For the past three years, my focus and attention have
been my photography. In my 20s, I had the opportunity
to work with some fantastic photographers and learn
something from every job. Sometimes, I feel bad if I
lose the essence of my art, but I go back up next time.
Commercial work can take you down, so you need to
stay strong to your beliefs and get up quickly every
time if you want to survive.There's a profound message from you in each
photograph. Please tell us more about the recycling
concept because it is fascinating.My photography has given me so much pleasure—not
only from being accepted in the fine arts field but also
because I use my pictures as tools to teach young
artists about finding beauty in very common and
simple materials, like cardboard and paper. To take a
picture, I start with a concept, usually inspired by the
moment and place I'm in. I design and build a whole
installation out of recycled cardboard, dress people
with recycled paper, and try to make something
beautiful with the materials I have found in a garbage
can.Sometimes, the installation starts from the shape of
one simple box or some packaging paper. After a few
days, this becomes a modern or romantic house.
Sometimes, I use models; other times, I use real
people. Either way, I talk to the talent the same way and
try to create a story around the place for them to
perform and play the part. We talk about motivations
and what's happening around them. This can help me
find the facial expressions I'm looking for. With all that,
my pictures are set, and after this long process, the
party starts.Anything else you would like to share with us?I've always been attracted to architecture. My
obsession to see the world is, in part, motivated by the
architecture in every town its buildings, bridges,
towers, homes and stadiums. The elements they use to
create these structures, the shapes-I have a passion for
it. These are big inspirations in my life and career.“Doubt” Fine Art Photography by Cristobal Valecillos.
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