After a successful transition from model to photographer, Trumpas has made a name for himself in the photography industry, where his experience in front of the camera has redefined his unique approach behind it. Owner of Studio Trumpas , which has been working with celebrities and non-celebrities for the past two years, the photographer has stood out for his humanized approach and innovative techniques, such as the Facetime sessions he developed during the pandemic. Trumpas reveals how his career has led him to notable work, such as the cover of Luíza Sonza’s album, and the values he upholds to deliver authentic and elevated experiences. Among his new projects, he is preparing to offer mentoring to other professionals and workshops on mobile photography, democratizing his vision and skills to the public.
How was the transition from model to photographer? What were the main challenges in making this career change?
It all started when I was in Europe and was invited by a photographer to be a model. With the routine of castings and modeling jobs, I became more and more interested in the art of photography. So I bought my first professional camera and set up my first studio at my mother’s house when I returned to Brazil.
I started out very young, photographing my coworkers, and everything flowed with a lot of study and focus. It wasn’t easy, it never was, but with God and my family, I was able to conquer my space in the market. My biggest challenge was not to compromise my values and principles in a segment that is so competitive and extremely closed, even for those who are talented.
Do you think your experience as a model has influenced your photography style? How does this experience help you direct your shoots?
Yes, definitely. The experience of having been photographed by many photographers has given me a broader view of what it means to take a photograph with the best possible result for the person in front of the camera in mind.
Because I have worked as a model for a long time, I believe that my photography direction reaches a point where people feel more relaxed and confident about a photo shoot with me. This good relationship between the photographer and the person being photographed is essential, and a very important point for the result to be surprising, even for those who have never done a photo shoot before or who have had traumas with other photo shoots.
Opening Studio Trumpas was an important milestone in your career. What values and concepts do you seek to convey through the studio?
Yes, Studio Trumpas has been around for two years and I truly believe that this is just the beginning of a dream I have had since I discovered photography. My studio welcomes celebrities and well-known names in Brazil and around the world, as well as anonymous people who are just as special to me. Everything happens when each person enters Studio Trumpas and receives the love, affection and attention they need so that they leave with renewed self-esteem , understanding that each person carries their own beauty.
What was the experience like of photographing your first celebrity, the actress Maria Casadevall , and what did that mean for your career?
At that time it was a different experience for me because the work I did, most of the time, was for former model colleagues or actors and actresses who were still fighting for recognition.
One of my greatest characteristics is to always look at artists as people, not as artists, so I did the same thing with Maria Casadevall that I do with everyone I photograph. I gave it my best and the result was incredible. After this first shoot I got my first article in Folha de São Paulo and of course, it was the beginning of a new cycle for me.
You have worked with many renowned personalities. Is there a particular photoshoot that left a particular impression on you? What was the reason?
I have worked with big names in the Brazilian and international markets and have had many memorable moments in many of them, but what definitely marked my career was the cover of Luíza Sonza’s album “A Braba”. From this work on, my name began to circulate nationally.
During the pandemic, you had to reinvent yourself, including photoshoots via Facetime . How was this adaptation and what was the response of your clients to this new approach?
During the pandemic, no one could leave their homes. It was a challenging time where I needed to reinvent myself to continue working in a difficult scenario.
I had the idea of testing photography via Facetime with some artists I knew, so that even from a distance they could have work materials that showed the reality of each one inside their homes. This project attracted the attention of the mainstream media and even clients I already had ended up liking the idea and hiring me for that type of virtual work. I was able to deliver incredible results even from a distance. It was in that totally unlikely scenario that God gave me the right strategy to keep moving and with that I was able to stand out in the market through the project that for many made no sense at all.
What characteristics do you believe are essential to stand out as a photographer in today’s competitive market?
I believe that originality is one of the most important aspects of the photography market. Even in such a closed and competitive market, when you dedicate yourself, seek knowledge, focus on delivering the best for people and preserve your principles and values above all else, people connect with you because of the person you are and the results you deliver, and so appreciation comes. Even if it takes time, a good photography professional must be maintained by persistence; they can never let any negative response distract them from their focus. The journey is not easy, but what I can say is that it is worth it.
What can we expect from new projects at Studio Trumpas ? Is there anything new you would like to share with your audience?
Studio Trumpas has been trying to stay on top of trends in the image market in general, both in photography and in videos, and with this, we can closely monitor the results of our clients’ growth when they decide to work on their image quality with our team. In addition, the mentoring that I am offering to selected photography professionals is a service that has yielded incredible results, but the big news by the end of the year will be for people like me who love taking photos with their cell phones, but many still don’t know the basic techniques to get a great photo even with their personal cell phone.
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