Choose a Profession That Makes You Happy
Self-portraiture allows for personal discovery and growth. The gaze at oneself through the prism of a photograph, carefully directed, brings towards a more extensive self-analysis and produces a diary that develops over the years. Faber Franco’s work is a complicated contemplation on people and objects intended to become a visual experience. Faber explains that “Nothing’s sadder than having to get to a job or do something you don’t like.” - the reality so well-acknowledged by many, which seems to change with the new generation rewriting the rules of the game.
Faber Franco is a Bogota-based photographer and a multidisciplinary artist whose work includes photography, drawing, and graphic design. We decided to chat with Faber again before he turns 30 to provide a look back into the most impactful decisions he made connected to the profession, as well as the pitfalls and tips for those who have a desire to follow the same path. We discuss the development in the aesthetics of Faber’s self-portraits over time and across different social media channels, which dictate the visual mood. Faber takes us on the journey of his move to Bogota, the need to get inside of the relevant circles of artists, and the changes his self-portraits went through as time required.
‘Whatever you choose, you have to do it with all your heart and always try to be the best at that, at what you have chosen. But even before that, I think that most importantly, you have to choose a profession that makes you happy.’
I Am
Being 30 years old or approaching this age, what are the most important things you’ve learned about choosing a profession?
Whatever you choose, you have to do it with all your heart and always try to be the best at that, at what you have chosen. But even before that, I think that most importantly, you have to choose a profession that makes you happy. Nothing’s sadder than having to get to a job or do something you don’t like. I’m saying this knowing that that’s the case with a lot of people, who have to work on certain jobs, otherwise they can’t afford food or have a place to sleep; or people who chose something they don’t really like, thinking about some benefits or profit that profession will give them afterwards.
What are some tips you can share with emerging Colombian photographers?
I would tell them not to stop taking pictures. Doing it constantly helps refine your eye. Even when you are not satisfied with the result, in the end, there’s always something you learn. Another thing I feel is important - you have to be nurturing what others do, even if it’s coming from a different field. Even though I photograph fashion, I can find valuable aspects in documentary photography that I can apply to what I do.
‘The fact that I have turned from showing my work on Flickr, a community of photographers where I didn’t feel I was being judged, to Instagram, a platform where I feel the eyes of all kinds of people will be there, ready to judge, has definitely influenced that change of working with self-portraits.’
Self-Portraits
Working on self-portraiture photography, researching your body, and the perception of the physical has been one of your main topics throughout the years. How did you see yourself change in the past ten years?
I feel that when I started with self-portraits, I was more open to show my face and my nudity. The fact that I have turned from showing my work on Flickr, a community of photographers where I didn’t feel I was being judged, to Instagram, a platform where I feel the eyes of all kinds of people will be there, ready to judge, has definitely influenced that change of working with self-portraits. Still, I continue taking pictures of myself and publishing them on different platforms, but now I am more careful about how I show myself. I think this has created an aesthetic line in my self-portraits, repetitive things, like not showing my face or just part of it, and a creative drive to search alternatives to fulfill this condition of not showing myself, at least not completely.
How do you think others' perceptions shifted during this time about you and your work?
Now I think people see me as a more mature person and what I do as a more mature work. It has changed a lot since I first started taking pictures. They probably see more reputable and diverse work.
‘With drawing, I feel I’m limitless, any idea that occurs to me, that maybe I cannot accomplish in a picture, I can make real with drawing.’
Drawings
Do you still draw?
Yes, I still draw, I think I’ll never stop doing it.
What does drawing enable you to discover or present differently when compared with photography?
Sometimes I stop drawing for a while, and then I come back to it, happy to draw again. With drawing, I feel I’m limitless, any idea that occurs to me, that maybe I cannot accomplish in a picture, I can make real with drawing. I also feel a stronger connection with the matter and, above all, I love the feeling of satisfaction that comes from seeing hours and hours, layers and layers, of color depicted in a beautiful final result.
‘When I least expected, I was making money doing one of the things I like the most. However, I don’t know if I consider myself a photographer, I'd rather call myself an artist.’
Photographer as a Profession
What are some of the hardest moments first in the decision to make photography a profession and second being a photographer and obstacles you face throughout the years?
For me, it was not difficult to take the decision to make photography, most of all because I didn’t really take it. Everything took place in a way that seemed organic to me. When I least expected, I was making money doing one of the things I like the most. However, I don’t know if I consider myself a photographer, I'd rather call myself an artist.
You know, I haven’t seen a lot of difficulties in my profession. The only thing that I see as a difficulty would be the economic factor in buying film. In my country, they are rather expensive because of the dollar, and it's not something you can easily find in many cities. I think that has curbed my photographic production because now I only want to take pictures with film. So, I try to be extremely careful with each take, trying to make the most of them not to waste any film.
Networking
How does networking influence the photographer’s success?
Networking is fundamental if you want to progress, have success, and greater visibility. Sometimes it is not enough to be a good photographer. You need that extra push that helps you meet the right people. To have that, you have to be part of certain social circles. It's something that you see in any profession, not only photography.
What is critical in terms of networking when we speak about Bogota; are there specific circles one needs to acquaint with?
In Bogotá, for example, during the five years I’ve been living here, I’ve felt the need to get in and meet groups of people that can connect me with others. Mainly because in those groups, I find people with whom I have a kinship, people with whom I can establish a friendship way beyond the working aspect.
Upcoming Projects
What are your plans for this year?
My main plan fell because of the pandemic. The plan was to go on an exchange to Mexico, meet a lot of talented people, and do beautiful things together. It will have to be something to save for the next year.
What are you working on right now?
Right now, I’m drawing a lot, and I have some ideas of drawings to be, but I’m taking it easy. I’m also working on some pictures I’ll take soon with some very talented friends.
