We’re looking forward to introducing you to Jorge Parra. Check out our conversation below.
Jorge, we’re thrilled to have you with us today. Before we jump into your intro and the heart of the interview, let’s start with a bit of an ice breaker: What makes you lose track of time—and find yourself again?
I am glad to share that still today, after so many years in my craft, when I am taking photos, I really immerse myself into these timeless moments that I enjoy so much, this amazing feeling of losing track of time, and enjoying it to the max, and then find myself again, back to earth, back to the rational mind, and savouring the moments of no-time.
Can you briefly introduce yourself and share what makes you or your brand unique?
As I say in my LinkedIn profile, I was a Mad Scientist who turned into a Visual Artist. I spent many years studying and working as a Research Chemist, and then, almost overnight, I left that life, left behind the comforts and safety net of being an employee and became a freelance Photographer, and later on, a Visual Artist.
This was a switch that happened thanks to my drive towards the arts. Have been taking photos since I was a kid, basically the family vacation photos in our trips, but never in those early days, have I felt the unstoppable drive that made my life almost overnight into some kind of second life, totally different from my first one.
Fast forward to the present, and I have been living and working as a photographer for various decades, opened up my own company, Jorge Parra Photography, and have been working on my Fine Art Projects for about the same time.
Appreciate your sharing that. Let’s talk about your life, growing up and some of topics and learnings around that. Who taught you the most about work?
I should mention several people who were key in my self-teaching process. Even some of my scientific roots are still embedded in the way I work.
That said, I have to mention my 2 early mentors: Photographer Julio Vengoechea, who was the determining factor to push myself and leave behind a whole life to start a brand new one. I was jumping in the emptiness, into a field where I did not know many people to get support from, so I had to build it all by myself.
Mr Vengoechea helped me build strong confidence in my early work, and trust my instincts and creative process as a photographer to turn it into my life, and never look back.
My second mentor was Canadian Photographer Peter Hofle. I became his assistant early on, while still working as a Chemist, and I learned everything about lighting on location and at the Studio, plus the more relevant aspects of the business of photography.
When I stopped working with him, after a couple of years of a great team, I embarked solo, jumped into the waters to start finding my first commercial clients, essential for sustaining a new life with no salary, no insurance, no corprate safety net, and not knowing when my next job would come.
This is not for everyone!
To both Julio and Peter, MANY THANKS!
If you could say one kind thing to your younger self, what would it be?
That is easy! I would tell my younger self:
“Thank you for being so ruthlessly optimistic and driven! Your ability to deal with adversity was (and still is) a determining factor in my life”
Alright, so if you are open to it, let’s explore some philosophical questions that touch on your values and worldview. What’s a belief or project you’re committed to, no matter how long it takes?
I have committed since early on to giving back to other individuals as well as to the community what I have received that helped shape my life and circumstances. Sometimes I pay it forward, sometimes it is an instant gift to the causes I support.
– I have been helping organisations like the Children’s Trust, assisting kids awaiting adoption.
– I have donated my work as a photographer to foundations like the Flashes of Hope, documenting kids with terminal cancer and their families.
– Through different advertising agencies, I have donated my visual work for causes like the Fight against AIDs, the Breast Cancer Society,
– I have donated my work to the University of Miami Organ Transplant Program.
– After many years trying, I FINALLY found a way to mentor veterans returning from duty, to help them incorporate into civilian life, after all the physical and mental sacrifices they have made to keep our country safe.
– My wife and I created a Non-Profit foundation, Volunteer Channel, to assist with several other projects and initiatives.
This is my way to give back, my way to thank the Universe, `my never-ending project.
I am always open to working on new initiatives that might involve my work as a Photographer/Videographer.
Before we go, we’d love to hear your thoughts on some longer-run, legacy type questions. What will you regret not doing?
This may seem silly, but I want to leave this in writing: ever since the Space Race started, I have been captured by the idea of space travel, and the false promises that by the year 2000, it was gonna be routine to fly to the moon and back.
I have endlessly dreamt of having the opportunity to get into a rocket and go for an orbital trip, and get out of the ship for a space walk. I have also dreamt of having a Fashion Photoshoot in orbit.
Fast forward to today, I see how some small opportunities have come out to actually get on a ship and go into orbit, but as a matter of fact, no civilian has yet gone out of a spaceship for a space walk.
I will regret not having the chance to do that!
Contact Info:
- Website: https://linktr.ee/JorgeParraPhotography
- Instagram: https://instagram.com/JorgeParraPhotography
- Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jorgeparraphotography/
- Other: Recent Review of my Fine Art Work by Contemporary Art Curator Magazine
https://www.contemporaryartcuratormagazine.com/home-2/jorge-parra-review
Image Credits
PHOTOS ©Jorge Parra. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED
so if you or someone you know deserves recognition please let us know here.
