Today we’d like to introduce you to Gerard Ramos.
Alright, so thank you so much for sharing your story and insight with our readers. To kick things off, can you tell us a bit about how you got started?
It started due to the pandemic. I was living in a 600 square foot studio and felt caged in. I went to the top of my parking garage just for fresh air on a daily basis. I felt restless, needed to practice my artistry somehow. I had an old DSLR that my ex gave to me a few years ago for my birthday but never picked it up. I feel like many people found a new or even old passion while the world was on lockdown simply because we had the time. I’ve always had a particular interest in photography but never made it a point to hone my skills on it.
Pictures have always been a way for me to relive moment. I started taking pictures of inanimate objects, landscapes, eventually friends and family. This was when I discovered portrait photography was what I was most passionate about. I love not only the interaction that comes with taking photos of people but also how each image is unique based on whoever is in frame. From playing with light that affects the subject to incorporating props. I genuinely love what I shoot and the overall process that comes with it.
I’m sure you wouldn’t say it’s been obstacle free, but so far would you say the journey have been a fairly smooth road?
It has been more smooth than rough, simply because I did not mean to start this side business as a business. I simply wanted to create images and enjoy it out of my own pleasure. This was truly all for fun for me. When I started posting on Instagram, I started receiving messages from friends I have not talked to in a while asking me to take their pictures. Eventually, I started receiving inquiries from random people I did not know. Now, I’ve done professional headshots, lifestyle, family, commercial, and quite a few others I never thought I would do. I am grateful for every one of them.
I think the biggest factor I struggle with and still do is putting value in my work. I normally charge $150-$200 for a standard portrait session. However, that was not the case in the past. I did not know how to put value of my work and time. I use to think these are just “pictures” but they are not, they are much more. Some expenses I want clients or even just the world to know if they do not understand what a photographer goes through to get pictures they love; A decent laptop that can run the necessary software – $1000. A semi-professional camera $1500-$2000. Editing software such as Adobe – $30 monthly. Service to send pictures to clients professionally and aesthetically $15. The knowledge of how to use a higher-end camera poses for the subject, the simple interaction between the photographer and client – $(priceless). I could go on forever but these are just some examples.
Can you tell our readers more about what you do and what you think sets you apart from others?
I specialize in portraits, I’ve always been a people person. I am very open-minded individual and it takes something VERY out of the ordinary to have me do a double-take. I want a rich life but not in terms of money but rather experiences and relationships. I think that is what helps me with my photography. I want to capture each individual’s point of view not just as they look but their lifestyle and outlooks on life.
I’m sure you have heard of the saying, “A picture is worth a thousand words.” I think the premise of this is each individual person looking at the same picture but can have a completely different point of view or translation of it. This goes back to different ethnic backgrounds, how we were raised, our external influences while growing up, etc.
I am most proud of how developed my work has become. I remember picking up my camera and not understanding why the picture came out so blurry. Now, I can manipulate a picture to look like an old shriveled-up photo from the 1990s. I will continue doing photography not because it is a side business for me but simply because it makes me happy. And if people want to book me because of me doing something I genuinely enjoy, then why not?
I think what sets me apart from others are the short videos I make and put on my Instagram story. The videos are about anything from lifestyle to how my vacation went. I go back and watch them from time to time and they truly bring me joy.
Can you tell us more about what you were like growing up?
I was very timid, I would do anything to fit in as I am sure any kid would. I would be open to doing anything. I believe myself to be a “Jack of all trades” kind of guy. My mom enrolled me in ice skating lessons and it was not later in life I found out ice skating was viewed to be very feminine.
A very bubbly personality, I LOVED playing chess and still do. My main sport, though was soccer, I played it for 11 years. It was the most constant activity in my life until about college. I use to care a lot of what others thought of me. As I matured, I realized people will always think something of you, good or bad, might as well do something you love while being judged.
Contact Info:
- Email: galleriesbygerard@gmail.com
- Website: www.galleriesbygerard.com
- Instagram: www.instagram.com/galleriesbygerard
- Other: www.tiktok.com/galleriesbygerard
Image Credits
Abrielle Brumit Anny Jin Reid Schmitz & Angel Batard Savannah Young Daniella Ong & Hernand Paler
