It is important for you to capture emotions and personality in your work. How do you manage to get that from your models?

I typically start with a mood board I created for the model. Once we get the scene placed, simple direction during the shoot and correct lighting is all you need. I also find working back and forth with another photographer can draw out unbelievable emotions from the model.

What are the most important assets that one has to have in order to become a good photographer, – I mean also in a way that one can live from it?

To be able to become a great photographer, I think it revolves around patience. Being able to capture that moment you might easily overlook. Knowing where and when to look with your camera is the biggest key. The patience to work behind the laptop for hours on hours. On photos, you may not even like nor use. Definitely, patience.
 

“To be able to become a great photographer, I think it revolves around patience.”

Your first touch point with photography?

I first got my knacks on a camera when I was a skateboarder. I would create a mess of skate videos with my buddies with a super wide lens set up and take it to the streets. After years of that, I worked my camera for travel style photography when I was in the military. Once I noticed it was so much more exciting to have a human subject in my photos, I pursued portrait photography in early 2017.

Who do you admire workwise?

I’ve always been impressed by Kat Irlin, everything she releases appears to have so much emotion and such rich storytelling. There’s also no repeating color palette, she delivers different editing processing in her work. There’s something to take and appreciate when looking at her photos.
 

“I’ve yet to work with a red-haired model. I think I would adore working with the model Riley Rasmussen.”

Whom would you love to photograph?

So I’ve yet to work with a red-haired model. I think I would adore working with the model Riley Rasmussen. Who knows? Probably one day. Maybe she’ll read this and reply to my DMs.

The best thing about living in L.A? And the worst?

I moved to LA around 5 months ago. I must say the convenience of how close everything is definitely my favorite thing about living here. Living here with such a saturated community of photography makes finding jobs or talents rather simple. The worst? I don’t have a lot to fuss over but probably the traffic and gas prices.

Do you sometimes doubt your own path or you know exactly where you are heading to?

I never doubt this path because I see this as something I love doing and not just as a job title. I know where I want to take this and probably might see some more possibilities on the way. I see where I am right now as a start of my career.

The best moments in life are…

to find the genuine kind-hearted people that you can create with.

www.instagram.com/nathan.lobato