Interview: Photographer Rafael Duarte (Belgium)

Bijgewerkt op: 22 aug 2023

Can you tell us a little about you?

Rafael est un « jeune » photographe de 28 ans. Passionné d’art, d’image et surtout d’émotions, il est en recherche constante de nouveautés afin de mettre sa créativité en éveil. Rafael is a young 28 years old photographer. Moved by art, images and emotions, he’s always looking for novelty to increase his creativity.

How and when did you get into photography?

J’ai commencé la photographie a l’école en 2009. Cherchant dès le départ à mettre en pratique ma passion, j’ai commencé par la photographie événementiel « Night-life ». Celle-ci ayant vite débouché sur d’autres secteurs de l’événementiel. Cherchant a me diversifier, je me suis essayé aux portraits très rapidement. Cela m’a permis d’élargir d’avantage ma créativité. Jusqu’a ce que j’essaye la lingerie. Cela m’a permis de trouvé une voie complètement différente, plus complexe. I started photography in 2009 at school. It all started with night life’s shooting. Later, I tried to touch other side of photographies style. I tried to improve my way of working and creativity and started to work on portrait. Then I started to shoot lingerie. It helped me to find a new way, much more complex.

What does photography mean to you?

Taking pictures is a moment, a brief one. Every image must tell a story.

Please briefly describe your photography style for our readers

Research of light and emotion make a difference. Everyone should have his/her style, his/her own touch. What I mostly love is to pick up a look. As so, as in portrait than in lingerie or in events.

Where do you get inspiration from?

Emanuele Ferrari, Leibovitz, Lachapelle pour citer les plus grands. Sinon je cherche de l’inspiration un peu partout que ce soit en production ou en post-production. Emanuele Ferrari, Leibovitz, Lachapelle for the greatest. Otherwise, I’m looking for inspiration everywhere during prod or post-prod.

Studio, on location or both?

To me, there is nothing better than natural light.

Do you think in advance what you want in the picture?

Seldom, hardly. I always start with a moldboard but it always end in improvisation, and that’s the way we get the best images.

Would you consider yourself a hobbyist or a paid professional?

If you love what you do, being paid should still be a hobby.

What has been your most memorable session and why?

My session with Sadie Gray was the greatest of all time. It was a sharing time, full of trust.

Nikon or Canon? Favorite lens?

Canon and Sony are my favs. About lens, it could be 50mm f1.2 and also 135mm f2

What is one piece of advice you would like to offer a new photographer looking to start their own business?

Trust in yourself and go ahead.