Today we’d like to introduce you to Hugo Aguiluz.
Hi Hugo, can you start by introducing yourself? We’d love to learn more about how you got to where you are today?
Hello, everyone! I’m Hugo Aguiluz owner, editor, and photographer of Hugo Aguiluz photography. This journey began back in 2013 when I decided to purchase my very first Nikon DSLR entry-level camera with a kit lens at a local shop. I remember going to the store (several times before buying it) just to look at it and dreaming of using it for the first time while I was saving to purchase this kit.
Meanwhile. I decided to start watching tutorial videos on youtube on how to use this camera, and on how to photograph nature, since that was the reason for using it, as a hobby. Finally, when I’ve saved enough money, I went back to the local store and bought my very first Nikon DSLR kit! I couldn’t believe it, I was so excited and I went to the closest park to start shooting at everything my eyes saw that day…
Moreover, after weeks of extensively learning and using my camera, I decided to start posting some of my photos on Facebook and rapidly a lot of friends and family liked my photographs and asked me if I’d do photoshoots of them because they were interested. Immediately after that, I panic a little bit because I didn’t know how to pose people nor how much to charge for my work. Then, I decided to create my Facebook Page and I asked some friends if they could help me be my models so I could post some photos on my page and they happily agreed on helping me out.
Once I posted some of the first portrait sessions, many people started to like my page and photos, and then I received many inquiries asking for my services. Then, I knew this could be the beginning of creating my photography business, I saw the opportunity and I decided to invest my time and money in educating myself in attending photography workshops, buying photography books, and learning how to operate the business side of this photography business adventure before starting accepting inquiries.
Later, I decided to book my very first photoshoot with the little experience and knowledge I had at that time and I was able to confront my fears even though I didn’t have any experience in the real world of being a professional photographer. After the photoshoot ended and my clients paid for my services, I knew I could become a real professional photographer so I got excited and passionate about the idea of becoming an entrepreneur.
My biggest fan has always been my wife Claudia Parducci who has always supported me during this journey. Claudia started to go with me to every photoshoot and rapidly became my assistant, she has helped me with possing our clients, looking always for those little details I wouldn’t see and making sure the client looks pretty and glow, always.
After a few years in business, we noticed that many people asked for maternity sessions in specific, so we decided to focus our niche on maternity photography sessions and we decided to invest in our own wardrobe so the gowns would be ready and easier for our clients and it was an instant hit! As result, a lot of people started to contact us asking for our maternity sessions and it became a success for us, however, we also photograph families, graduation and couples.
Since then, we have photographed countless families that have become part of our photography family and that have supported us to grow and to become who we are now as professionals. Since the very early years of operating Hugo Aguiluz Photography, we have always invested in the latest photography equipment, software, website, and all that involve in running a professional business, so we can offer a professional service, excellent customer service, and an exciting experience to every client who decides to choose us as their photographers, because our number one goal is to treat our client with respect, professionalism, and the utmost care!
We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
For the most part, it has been a smooth journey, however, the first 2 to 3 years in business were the most challenging in our journey.
One of the struggles I had, when I started the business, was how much to charge for a photoshoot. At that time I had not that much experience on how much to charge so I decided to ask $25 for my very first photoshoot and the client decided to tip me $5. I couldn’t even accept the payment because I was nervous about accepting it, and everything was new for me… I felt happy about my very first payment though and after that, I decided to join some photography Facebook groups that helped me with the business side and some others that helped me with the artistic side of my business. After educating myself in attending some workshops and learning how to obtain my COD (Cost of Goods) I knew I had a business to run and that I had to charge accordingly to be profitable.
Another important aspect was to define my identity as a photographer, in other words, I needed to find my vision and unique style so I could become who I’m now as an artist. I’ve always liked film photography, for me, film photography represents pure art and it feels so romantic with the soft skin tones, rich contrast, and airy highlights since film photography is another way of reproducing art back then and even nowadays. Because that was the artistic way I decided to reproduce, I decide to purchase a 35mm old Nikon film camera and a few rolls of Fuji 400h and I started to shoot with it. After I sent the film rolls to get them developed, I was anxious to see the final results. Once I’ve received the photos developed I fell in love with the rich colors that Fujifilm produces.
Since then, I’ve always liked to shoot 35mm and medium format film rolls and some of my favorites are Fuji 400h, Ektar 100, and Portra 800 for personal use. Then, I decided to find emulsions that simulate these lovely films in modern digital photography until I found some, and later over the years I transform them into my own unique presets style, which are the ones I currently use to edit all my photographs and the palet colors and tonalities that our clients like.
Finally, we have been thankful to have incredible supporting clients who have always supported us along the way and that have recommended us to new outstanding clients who fell in love with our professional imagery.
Thanks for sharing that. So, maybe next you can tell us a bit more about your work?
My wife and I specialize in maternity photography sessions and we are known for that since we have found the importance of capturing such special and unique moments of motherhood and family connection that this type of session creates. One of our goals is to help new fathers develop a powerful emotional connection with their growing infants. By capturing these special moments, our clients can be sure that we are going to document all these lovely emotions during the photoshoot that will last generations, so when our clients look back at the pictures we took, they will remember what they felt at that moment back then, and that will bring them happiness and joy.
One of the things that make us proud is to see our photography work hung on our clients’ walls. We love to hear back from our clients saying how happy they are with their photos and to see pictures that they send us of the prints, canvas, frames, they have on their walls. That means everything to us.
I think what sets us apart from others is the customer service that we provide. Since day one, we help our clients through the process of booking a photoshoot with us, by explaining to them step by step how their photoshoot will go, what they can expect from us, what they will receive, and by answering any questions they may have. By the time of their photoshoot, they already know that we are there for them ready to provide our best customer service and that they are confident that can trust us in what we do.
What does success mean to you?
As an artist, success has been seen our clients loving their photos by posting them on their social networks, by hanging their photos on their walls, and by recommending us to others because they want more people to know about my artistic work.
Also, success for me means being able to photograph new people because they have loved my work and want me as their photographer.
Contact Info:
- Email: hugoaguiluz@gmail.com
- Website: www.hugoaguiluzphoto.com
- Instagram: http://www.Instagram.com/hugoophoto
- Facebook: http://www.Facebook.com/hugoophoto
- TikTok: @hugoophoto
Image Credits
Claudia Parducci
Michelle Minero
Hugo Aguiluz
