Page 10 - Adelante Magazine May 2021
P. 10
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By: Al Ballesteros
10 YEARS OF PHOTOGRAPHER
JOSÉ AGUILAR
This month, Jose Aguilar marks his 10-year originally from? Adelante cover models?
anniversary shooting models for the covers of I was born and raised in Santa Ana, California Photographing an Adelante cover model is not
Adelante. We hope you concur that his and my parents were born in Mexico. Iʼm a hard at all. Sometimes I may have to photo-
dedication to his craft has resulted in first generation Mexican American. graph a model that fits the concept or theme
numerous covers that stand out as of the month, which can be a challenge. The
memorable in the history of the magazine. Adelante: When youʼre doing a photo models are easy to work with and they are
We spoke to Jose about his photographic session, what inspires you? usually excited to do the shoot. Most are very
style and his motivations behind the work. When I photograph a model, its' always about happy and the majority very humble to be on
the way Iʼm feeling in the moment. I always the cover of the magazine. The models are
Adelante: At what age did you start try to find an expression or a frame that is different. You have some who just want to
getting into photography? about what I'm
At 15 when I was a sophomore in high school. feeling at the time. I
I took photography as an elective. I actually try to portray that
did it because I thought it would be an easy feeling in the photo
class for me. I thought this because I was while at the same
always the one taking pictures of family time try to find
gatherings and events. So, I thought since I some type of
was already doing “photography” it would be chemistry with the
an easy class. model. But itʼs
really me regis-
Adelante: Was it? tering my own
No. I got a D minus on my first test. I was feelings through the
upset because I thought it was going to be an model.
easy A.
Adelante: Is it
So, I had to do better for the next assignment. always like this?
At that time, I was a Madonna fan and the I kind of think itʼs
video of Oh Father had come out. I loved the cocky to say, but it
cinematography in that video. The really is about the
assignment was to do a Portrait picture and I person who is
photographed a very beautiful friend based on writing the story
the Oh Father video theme. I turned it in and than the person at
got an A+. Once I got that A+ I realized this hand. For instance,
was my calling. I felt so connected to the Iʼm a huge Linda
Madonna video and the art itself and from that Ronstadt fan. She
point forward I realized photography would be used to always do
part of the rest of my life. her own covers and
she made it seem it
As a portrait photographer one must capture was all about her all
facial expressions. Itʼs like a view into the soul the time.
of the person through the eyes of the model
I'm photographing. Adelante: How
hard is it to photo-
Adelante: Where are you and your family graph the
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