Tell us a little bit about yourself.
I’m a young videographer/photographer who’s been living in Boston for about 5 years now. Recently, I graduated from MassArt with a degree in Film/Video and now work as a contractor, shooting video and photo for John Hancock.
When did you realize your passion for photography?
Photography has been a newly found passion for me. Originally, I fell in love with the motion picture through recording my friends skateboarding in my early high school years. This love grew to the point where I decided to pursue a career in the field. Photography always interested me too but it never had the same hold on me like video had. It wasn’t until I started working with John Hancock and had to direct a photoshoot for the first time that I truly fell in love with photography the same way I did with filmmaking many years ago.
Lately, I have been focusing on my photography far more than making films. I think it is mainly because of how much easier it is to get out there and shoot, yet I find it just as rewarding. As passionate as I still am about filmmaking, it’s not something I can do all the time. There are so many moving parts that are essential to making a film possible. You need a script, story boards, locations, actors, props, equipment, a crew, and most importantly, you have to make sure everyone is available at specific times all in order to make your vision a reality. However, with photography, there is nothing stopping me from making it happen whenever I get the time of day. I love that you have the option to go out with a group of friends and work together to create images like you would a film, or you can simply go on solo missions, wandering wherever the wind takes you and still capture great moments.
What is your advice to aspiring photographers on Instagram?
My advice to aspiring photographers on Instagram is to try and have consistency. The best way to stand out is to develop your own style where others can look at your work and tell it’s yours without even having to read your name. Coming from someone who still hasn’t fully honed in on one style, it can take a long time to find your look, but for me personally, I’ve always admired most the photographers who have a cohesive feed. Other than that, just go out as often as possible and push yourself to thoroughly explore your surroundings whatever they may be. It’s not all about what camera you have but how much time you spend with it.
Instagram: @tonycotte
