Today we’d like to introduce you to Robert Santiago.
Hi Robert, please kick things off for us with an introduction to yourself and your story.
I moved here from San Diego about 4 years ago. I managed a Surgery Center, but things started falling apart, so my daughter and I moved to St. Louis for a fresh start. I got into photography to impress a girl. She loved the outdoors and photography, whereas I loved staying home and playing video games. If you love someone, why not try their hobbies and experience them through their eyes? So I went out and about with my cell phone, hiking all over Missouri and taking pictures. I joined this photo competition app called Gurushots and started doing well on it. This girl told me once if I ever got a camera in my hands it would be pure magic. As she was wrong in many things, this is the one thing she was right about and the one I gained. I mainly started in landscapes, then last year, I switched and started doing portraits and weddings and, well, anything anyone would ask me to do. Before I knew it, I was getting published left and right and meeting wonderful people. Photography today is my passion. I get to share the world’s beauty through my eyes and aim to inspire people through my art. My photography business is called i.b.y photography—the i.b.y stands for inspired by you, which is a tribute to the girl I loved.
Can you talk to us about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned along the way? Would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?
It’s been interesting. I’ve never been one to follow. I have always danced to the rhythm of my beat. Here in St. Louis, the photography world is small and tight. Getting out there, getting exposure, and working with the right clients has been the biggest obstacle. Next would be the cold winter; doing photoshoots outside could prove difficult.
Thanks – so, what else should our readers know about your work and what you’re currently focused on?
I am a photographer, and what separates my work from others is my creative view and the angles of my shots. I am self-taught, so I don’t have a box to think in. I am very technical and often think of textbooks in my mechanics. I pride my work on being sharp, crisp, and clean.
Alright, so to wrap up, is there anything else you’d like to share with us?
If you aim to become great at anything and things wait to click right away, keep at it. It’s not how fast you finish the race but rather the journey itself. Anything you do takes practice and learning. Dare to be great and inspire. Do what you love to do for yourself. Just dance like no one is watching.
Pricing:
- I believe in giving my clients a bang for their buck. the average price of my photo sessions are about $75-$100 dollars with no real time limit or wardrobe cap. I usually give my clients 15-40 finished photos within 24 hrs.
Contact Info:
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/i.b.y._.photography/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/tcup83/
Image Credits
Model in order. Metro link Dixie Recht Guitar Model: Kaity Navi McAllister Model: Leah Bourke
