Is Photography an Art? Capturing Emotions

Whenever I'm contacted to do a photoshoot the first thing I ask is, "Once you get to see the final pictures what do you want to see; how do you want them to make you feel." Since I don't edit my work (not even my event/model photography) it's imperative I understand what the client wants. But simply asking, "what do you want" will only get you so far since not everyone comes with a clear idea. However, asking them how they want to feel always gets me the answer I need.

These guys were shooting for their Reggaeton Album cover (now on iTunes)

What I enjoy most about portrait photography is getting to understand the people I photograph. Even if two people want to give off the same emotion in their pictures, they will always produce completely different images because each person brings their own unique personality into the images. The images I produce also depend on how quickly the model and I are able to build a relationship (rapport). 

High-school friend with her Boyfriend

College friend

My Barber
I've known these models for quite a long time so it's a lot easier to produce images
that are closely aligned with the emotions they want to express.

My style of model photography is ever evolving and maturing. My process for improving does not just lie in producing better images (using composition and lighting) but also getting better at expressing the individuals in the image. Many times I've discovered that by trying to capture the portrait of someone I end up including my self in the image. My landscape and still like photography require me to transmit my emotions into the final image, and usually I end up doing the same process with pictures of other people. It's a bit intimidating at times considering that I expose my inner feelings to anyone that closely examines my work, but on the flip-side it's also interesting to imagine that every image I take becomes a page in a wordless autobiography.  

Achieving Profound Understanding:

Next time you view an artwork I challenge you to not only examine how the image makes you feel, but to also ask yourself how do you think the artist felt when making the image. When I take a portrait I become aware that the portrait is also one of myself; how I "see" and "feel" about the person is sometimes expressed through my work. See if you can spot the emotions of the artist, and ultimately if you can have a conversation with the artist through the art.

Sincerely,

Rafael Migoyo (Ravimi)

Contact: ravimiart@gmail.com 

Website: www.ravimiphotography.com

Subscribe for great offers and for early updates on new collections

Spring Season Limited Edition Collection!! "The End, The Beginning"

With the start of the new year I am happy to announce a new Limited Edition collection for art enthusiasts. The collection "The End, The Beginning" will be available in a Limited quantity of 17 Aluminum prints. 

The collection includes nine(9) carefully selected images of the final Sunset of 2016 (collectively referred to as "The End") and one(1) image of the first Sunrise of 2017 (titled: The Beginning). Once 17 total Aluminum Prints have been made from the collection of 10 images the entire collection will never be available for reprinting on Aluminum. 

All images will arrive Autographed and with a Certificate of Authenticity along with an exclusive gift for the first 5 completed requests. The Gift will be one 8x12 archival paper print of any picture from the Ravimi Photography Website. The archival paper print will be autographed as well. For more information please contact us through email, private message, or phone number.

Email: Ravimiart@gmail.com

Phone:813-523-6809

Subscribe to the Ravimi Blog for future exclusive offers, including discounts, free art, and early access.

UPDATES

-One 12x18 aluminum print of "The Beginning" has been purchased

16 of 17 prints remaining 

The End

Peek-a-boo
"The End ('16)"

As I was sitting on the sand looking at the sun set for the last time in 2016 I considered all the things I have experience these last 366 days (it was a leap year). I learned what I want to do as a doctor; Geriatric medicine. I also learned a lot about art and photography and how it’s not always just about the picture as much as it is about the emotions they offer. 

I learned a lot about the country I consider my home; for example, everyone has a different idea of what makes “America great again,” but on the flip side everyone shares that desire to make America a wonderful place. I also learned that not all weird things happen in Florida e.g. creepy clowns chasing you down, and the zodiac killer running for President (sorry, not sorry TD). 

It’s been quite an intense year to say the least. But in life there are as many ups as there are downs, and as I watched the sun snuggle below the horizon I was reminded that tomorrow so will the sun rise again.

"The Beginning ('17)"

Message from the artist:

Thank you to those of you that have supported me from the beginning and to those that are just starting this journey with me. I truly do appreciate your patronage. My process of making art does not end with me taking the picture and then printing it, that's just the start: the other half belongs to the viewer, and lastly the investor. Even without funding I will always make art (it's what I love) but with your support I'm able to go beyond what I can do by myself. Just as the process of my art does not end with the click of the shutter, your investment also serves the purpose of continuing my work; with your help I've been able to travel to Cuba and take pictures of the place I was born, and the city I grew up in; I was able to travel to Puerto Rico with my camera and explore the rivers and mountains that exposed me to the beauty of adventure; and with your help I was able to travel to Colombia, one of the most beautiful places I have ever seen in my entire life which further developed my work as an artist. 

Next time you are considering buying one of my art pieces remember that you're not only buying one art piece, you're investing in the future of art. 

Sincerely,

Rafael Migoyo (Ravimi)

Contact: ravimiart@gmail.com 

Website: www.ravimiphotography.com

"Value of a Patron" 25% coupon code: "ARTFOREVER" [mention this code when inquiring about an art piece)