Today we’d like to introduce you to Victor Oquendo.
Hi Victor, please kick things off for us with an introduction to yourself and your story.
I am originally from North Philadelphia, I was raised by my grandmother, my mother died when I was 12 years old. When I was 12 my grandmother bought me a cheap Casio keyboard that I begged her for, we were poor and didn’t have much money but my grandmother made it saved up and made it happen (the keyboard was $100). I would walk several miles on Saturdays to a small home studio that a family member had and I watched and learned. I taught my self how to play piano through middle school and high school. I started producing records at 17, I dropped out of High School because I had a production deal in New York, I worked there 4 days out of the week. at 21 I moved to L.A. for another production deal, I lived in L.A. for 2 years, from there I moved to Nashville for publishing deal/record deal with an Indy christian record label called Gotee Records, I toured the world as a musician and recording artist and produced a bunch of records but after 10 years, I stepped away from music, while touring my wife bought me a small camera for Christmas one year. and I used it as a way to keep me busy on the road. My photography skills kept growing and a I kept loving it more and more. I quit the the touring world in 2008 to save my marriage. Started shooting weddings in 2008 and I’ve never stopped. Since 2008 I’ve been published several times and I’ve shot a ton of content and album covers for musicians and artist. I am officially grammy certified, one of the albums I shot artwork for won a grammy and another was nominated. Ive also shot hundreds of restaurants for Uber Eats, Door Dash and ApartmentGuide.com. In 2013 I recommended for a teaching Job at McGavock High School (Audio Production) I’ve been teaching at McGavock now for 14 years. I also have a YouTube channel where I teach Audio production via tutorial videos (Youtube/McGavockaudio. I’ve been married for 20 years.
Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
Not smooth in the beginning, I lost my mother at the age of 12, my father and mother were super young, my mom was 16 and my father was 14 when I was born, My father did eventually find me and we have a close relationship to this day but the start wasn’t smooth, my mother had addictions and I was always between homes because of that. I grew up on the streets of North Philly dodging fights, bullets and the trap of ending up with an addictions/selling drugs.
Alright, so let’s switch gears a bit and talk business. What should we know about your work?
Im a record producer/beat maker by trade, right now I am a consider my self to be more of a photographer. I still play keys here and there at church (Hermitage Hills). I don’t know that I have a special in photography but I love shooting concerts, weddings and fashion. Iv’e been told that my color editing sets my photos apart from most photographers, this is what I get from Brides a lot. Ive also heard clients say that I have a great ability to tell a story with my photos. I don’t really look at my self as better than anyone or set apart but these are things my clients always say, I will say my I pride my self in my customer service and ability to make clients comfortable at shoots. Im most proud of my concert and wedding photos.
What does success mean to you?
Succes to me is 2 fold, being able to feed my family with my art is success along with that is growth, money or no money are you growing in your craft? this is what i’m always asking my self.
Pricing:
- $175/hr
- Biggest wedding pack $2,800
- Smallest wedding package $1,200
- Videography $1,900
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.victorphotog.com
- Instagram: victorphotog
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@mcgavockaudio
