Today we’d like to introduce you to Rei Hernandez.
So, before we jump into specific questions about the business, why don’t you give us some details about you and your story.
My name is Rei Hernandez and I was born in Havana, Cuba, on July 24, 1985. I am a lover of sports, nature, family, and of course photography, I’m a very good friend of my friends.
I went to Art School in Havana to get a Bachelor of Arts (B.A.). During this time at Art school I learned different techniques like oil and on canvas, sculpture, and others, I was influenced by Rembrandt and Salvador Dali, all this was wonderful but at the same time was something about capturing the moment with a camera, is just amazing how that second never happen again, for me capturing the right look, the perfect smile or light is what I love about photography, the power of capturing life as it is and keep it to go back and look to look at I, that is really powerful.
I spent four years getting all the way to what would be my career in the future. It was there where I met my partner forever, Photography, was there my way, beginning and ending, there was no other. In 2004 I got my Bachelor of Science in Communication Advertising & Public Relations, my best complement to understand and communicate the intricacies of art, parallel studying English, French and photojournalism at the International Institute of Journalism in Havana Cuba.
In 2010, after finishing my studies I started working in the Communication department of the Cuban Institute of Music, where my career as a professional photographer started. I remember my first jobs there was doing photographs of press conferences on National Events and concerts, at the same time I was working for cultural magazines with international reach as La Jiribilla, for this magazine I did a Winston Marsalis and the JLC series, in 2013 this became my first sample for exhibition at The Hall of International Press Center in Cuba.
After spending some time working in Cuba, I travel to Mexico City, where I lived for two years. My photography work for a living was paused, I did some street photography and after that, I did an unpublished series devoted to family, friends and especially the birth of my daughter. I came to Dallas after two years living in Mexico and right away I found a job as a photo assistant for Manny Rodriguez Photography wish was one of the best things that could happen to me here in Dallas since I was working for one of the best food photographers in the USA. I worked for Manny for a year and a half maybe more but learning everything that I could. After that, I start my freelance career and I have been working since then for clients like Neiman Marcus, JCPenny among others.
Has it been a smooth road?
I feel like I’ve been lucky overall, is never easy but like my grandma says, not to difficult either. Hard work and honesty with your self and others is the key or at least one of the keys to success I think.
We’d love to hear more about your business.
I love photography and everything related with this fascinating world, from the natural light to studio lights, from the right composition to the statements of colors, all this and more have to be in perfect harmony to make a good photo-session. I consider my self as a Fine Art photographer, I love fashion too and portraits, actually one of my favorite photographs of all times is a portrait of AERIN LAUDER that I did last year, was pretty intense and challenging, that kind of high profile clients have no time to lose and cero margin of error, so you have to be really professional every second.
I think what sets me apart from others is not thinking on trying to be different, yes, I’m terrible talking about my self! I love to get my clients out of the comfort zone, give them something unexpected an je ne sais quoi, that moment of wow! this is why we choose you for this Ad or project. Just do what you love and be yourself, everything else it would come alone.
Is our city a good place to do what you do?
For me Dallas is home, is funny as a Cuban everyone ask me why not Miami, well, here is Dallas is for me one of the best places to do business right now, we have every major professional sport (Cowboys, Mavericks, Rangers, Starts), there are more restaurants per capita than any other city in the U.S wish is great for food photography of course, event photography also even portraits. The cost of living is low and employment is hight, no state income tax and of course this is the house of frozen margaritas! any other reason?
On the cultural side, we have the Dallas Arts District measuring as the largest contiguous arts district in the country. We have a wonderful major art museum-the Dallas Museum of Art (DMA) and is free. Dallas is also home of great headquarters like JCPenney, Neiman Marcus, Pizza Hut, The Richards Group and a lot of other companies that are great for the photo business.
All this and more, make for me at least one of the best cities in the country for living and make business.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://photosrey.format.com
- Phone: 2147100095
- Email: photosrey@hotmail.com
- Instagram: @reiber.hernandez
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/reihz
Getting in touch: VoyageDallas is built on recommendations from the community; it’s how we uncover hidden gems, so if you know someone who deserves recognition please let us know here.
