Meet Nico Carrillo

We were lucky to catch up with Nico Carrillo recently and have shared our conversation below.

Nico, thanks so much for taking the time to share your insights and lessons with us today. We’re particularly interested in hearing about how you became such a resilient person. Where do you get your resilience from?

Resilience is something that’s always been part of who I am, and it has strengthened over time. I feel like resilience is one of those qualities that’s hard to suddenly develop; it’s either within you or it’s not. I first recognized my own resilience back when I was in high school. I struggled in a few areas, especially math, but I didn’t let that stop me. In fact it fueled me to persist and do better. At one point, I had two tutors, was taking extra classes, and still managed competitive sports. Even then, I was driven by the determination and passion to achieve my goals. I’d rather exhaust all my resources available than throw in the towel.I resonate strongly with a quote by Tim Notke “Hard work beats talent when talent doesn’t work hard”. Raw talent is powerful and inspiring, but it’s the effort behind it that truly sets people apart, especially in a creative field like mine.

Thanks, so before we move on maybe you can share a bit more about yourself?

My name’s Nico Carrillo, and I’m a commercial photographer. I specialize in capturing the grit, thrill, and raw intensity of high-energy and extreme sports like mountain biking and off-road racing. For the past six years, I’ve been capturing exciting moments, and I couldn’t imagine doing anything else. Originally, I was on the path to become a doctor, studying kinesiology in college, but my passion for photography pulled me in a different direction. Growing up, I was always outside, always moving—whether it was sports, biking, or camping. So, I made the call to merge my love for photography with my outdoor lifestyle and dive into the world of extreme sports.

My office often takes place in the natural elements of the world, capturing the heart and grit of very talented athletes, and some of them are the best at what they do. Every shot I take is my chance to honor their talent and dedication, and it’s a privilege to work alongside people who live on the edge, just like I try to do through my lens.

Though I spend a lot of time outdoors, I’ve come to really value my time in the studio. It’s become essential to my creative process and workflow. Whether I’m editing, collaborating with clients and other creatives, or even testing light and shooting in the controlled studio environment, I find that studio time adds a different layer to my work. Lately, I’ve been doing more studio photography, and I’m excited to dive even deeper into it. The teams I work with bring incredible energy, and those hours in the studio help me ground myself on the details that make each project shine. The creative process can be overwhelming at times but once you find those grooves, you have to chase them.

There is so much advice out there about all the different skills and qualities folks need to develop in order to succeed in today’s highly competitive environment and often it can feel overwhelming. So, if we had to break it down to just the three that matter most, which three skills or qualities would you focus on?

I’d say the three qualities that have been essential for me are Practice, Persistence, and Patience—my “three Ps” if you will. Each of these plays a vital role in any journey, no matter what you do.
Practice is all about constantly working to refine your craft, being hungry to learn more and dive into every detail to elevate your work. It’s about developing a healthy obsession with trying to master what you do.
Persistence is closely tied to resilience. It’s the ability to keep going, no matter the progress you see (or don’t see). Often, the biggest breakthroughs happen when you push just a little further beyond the point you may feel is your limit.
And finally, Patience—both with others and yourself. We all have to understand some things just take time. A favorite quote a friend once shared with me is, “Rome wasn’t built in a day.” Rome is one of the most remarkable cities in the world, but it didn’t start that way; it took years to build its foundations. I try to remember that great things are built slowly but steadily, and patience is especially important in building a foundation that will last.

Okay, so before we go we always love to ask if you are looking for folks to partner or collaborate with?

Honestly, one of the best parts of what I do, beyond creating work that strikes people, is meeting amazing people. Especially other passionate creatives who bring great energy. Community is huge for me, and collaborating with like-minded people always pushes projects to new heights. Right now, what would be incredibly valuable is building more connections and collaborating with other creatives. Whether you’re a photographer, videographer, DP, producer, grip, or anything in between, I’d love the chance to connect, chat, or even grab a coffee (or matcha!). And, of course, I’d love to collaborate with any athletes or sport and outdoor brands. Please don’t hesitate to reach out!

Contact Info:

• Website: https://nicocarrillo.com
• Instagram: nicocarrillophoto
• Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/nicocarrillo

Image Credits

Credits of the photo of myself on top of a mountain holding a peace sign goes to “Christian Pondella”.