[image:Francis Agusto.com]
Today, the 24th February, 2021, we had an interesting lecture with Augusto, his practice is so different from mine as he stated today those that have studied fine art/photography are naturally more creative than those photographers that never did and admitted that was something he wants to work on. However, other than that his practice is like others apart, from the images he takes are all about the human experience and interaction and he cares more for the story and emotion coming from the image than what others will think. When he first began photography, he had just finished university and was a sociology researcher, as he had been a youth worker from a young age. Therefore, he has experience with developing relationships with people and those relationships come to light in his work. During his time as a freelancer, he also did a project about real people, not just models, working as an event, reportage/documentary photography. He is a storyteller. He would go on walks and ask strangers if he could take their pictures, of course rejection would happen and he became comfortable with the rejection and took the smaller things as a win, as he is photographer that thrives on the mundane and appreciates the smaller things in life.
He had some great advice too when it comes to being a photographer and suffering with mental health. When he started freelancing with an agent, he started to do bigger photoshoots and that really took a toll on him mentally, he slipped into depression. He improved his mental wellbeing by taking the time for himself, still shooting whist on his travels but more for leisure than work. During this time, he also started to experiment with medium format film and doing so he has found the best tool for each individual job. Test shoots are also essential. He is now thinking more creatively like an artist rather than just a photographer through everything he has realized, of course you need to make money but what makes him an artist is that he now does the work for him and no one else’s opinions matter, which is something we all as artist should do, stay true to ourselves.
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