Featured Contributor: Felipe Blanco

The storytellers and content creators in our community consistently inspire us through their compelling visuals. One of these outstanding visual artists is Felipe Blanco. A journalist and photographer based in Brazil, whether Felipe is taking lifestyle photographs or wedding photographs- his content brings moments to life with a unique flair. We spoke with Felipe about what inspires him, and what he's been up to lately. Here are a few of those words. 

Photographer: Felipe Blanco
Location: Salvador, Brazil
Instagram: @blancoriosfoto

Tell us 5 things you’re obsessed with right now as a photographer

Backlit photogaphy, grain, flare, shooting at a very close range with a 24mm lens, and a JPG Mini. 

We’d love to get to know you. Please tell us about yourself!

My father loved technology and would give me his old camera whenever he got a new one. I owned one of the very first digital cameras built, a Sony Mavica, which worked with floppy discs. Since then, I haven't stopped taking pictures. I started professionally shooting in 2010 while working on a cruise line, visiting many countries in Europe and South America, where I met my wife, Trini. It might sound cliché but she is my biggest inspiration and a truly great photographer. She opened my eyes to a new world and taught me about art, light, and composition. Thanks to her, I learned to see as a photographer, not as a spectator. 

We love the wedding photography displayed in your portfolio. How does your previous photography experience tie into your current work with Shutterstock Custom?

A wedding photographer learns to anticipate situations so that they do not miss the shot. That’s a very useful skill when photographing people, which is what I’ve been doing mostly as a Shutterstock Custom contributor.

What’s currently in your camera bag?

My wife and I share equipment. We use a Nikon D810, a D800, a 24mm f/1.4, a 35mm f/2, a 50mm f/1.4 and a 85mm f/1.8 lens. She also has a Fuji X100T, which I use sometimes.

What are some of your dream projects as a photographer?

I enjoy photographing people mostly and I’ve done that a lot while traveling. I’ve been to almost 30 countries so far and I want to keep exploring the world. My dream right now is to get a motorhome and spend time on the road. I’d love to document that lifestyle with a camera.

Do you have a trip planned for 2018? If so, where? If not, where do you want to go?

We are always flying between Brazil and Chile to shoot weddings and we end up visiting new places in both countries, but we try to travel to other countries every year. For 2018, we’re thinking Morocco, Cuba or India and Nepal for a couple of months. We went to Southeast Asia a year ago and it was amazing. Would definitely go back there. Indonesia and Myanmar are also must's.

Where are your favorite places to travel in Brazil?

There’s a national park in the northeastern state of Bahia called Chapada Diamantina. There are many small towns with the loveliest people you will ever know. Hidden waterfalls, rivers, caves. It’s my kind of perfect spot. It’s a 6-hour drive from Salvador, where I live. We go there whenever we can. I haven’t been to the Pantanal yet, the Brazilian wetlands. I’d love to go there soon.
 

When and how did you hear about Shutterstock Custom?

I was invited to join the ranks by another contributor, through Instagram. That was in January 2017.

We love asking this question: If you had to choose only one photograph to keep with you for the rest of your life, which one would you choose, and why?

A photo of myself and Trini from our wedding.

How would you encourage other photographers who are about to start their new career as a photographer? 

Getting to know my wife changed my entire perspective as a photographer. I suppose that not everybody is lucky enough to be married to an artist but my advice is to take interest in art. Although I don’t consider myself an artist, photography is indeed a form of art and, in my opinion, it’s just worth living your life as a professional photographer if you are passionate about it, if it comes from heart. Visit museums, art galleries, watch movies, tv shows if you like. Search the work of great photographers, learn from them. Keep inspired, always.
 

Felipe, thanks for sharing these words and moments with us. We're continually inspired by the work you create, and we can't wait to see what you create next.

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- The Shutterstock Custom Contributor Community Team