The Journey of My Career as a Pet Photographer

NYC | Puerto Rico | Paris

It all started back in 2014 with my love for the camera and my obsession with pets, especially pups. At that time, I decided that it was time to switch careers from the only thing I knew all my life, being a chef and running restaurants, to following my heart and passion.

It was a huge leap of faith as I knew nothing about cameras or being a photographer. It all started at B&H where I bought my first Nikon. I remember fondly how I went to Central Park and sat on a bench and took the photo that changed my life. Once I heard the click of the camera and with tears in my eyes, I had found my calling. I became obsessed and that has not changed. Not knowing much about the camera, I enrolled in a 101 photography class at Photo Uno in NYC, which gave me a good understanding of the basics.

My journey with photography actually started with street photography. Sometimes, I would walk a whole day around the city to find that one person whose face and persona would tell me their story, which I then would try to tell through the photo. They were all black and white photos, and my favorites are now covering the walls of my apartment. They were also the content of my first Instagram account.

And then....to the reason we are here, the pups! After a while of street photography, I began trying to accomplish the same but with pups in the streets, becoming sort of a stalker. Following parents and their pups around the city, but this time I would ask if I could take the photo, and as they say, the rest is history. I became obsessed with trying to showcase the personality of the pups, something that has not changed.

At the time, still with my old Nikon camera, photos were a bit dark and noisy as lighting knowledge was still in the 101 stage. My sweet brother asked his friend, a very well-known photographer from PR, if he could help me a bit. So I was lucky to get some advice and answers to some of my questions over the phone.

I then created my Instagram account, and with the encouragement from my brother Tico and my dear friend Stephanie, who thought I should become a pet photographer, I decided to give it a shot.