Today we’d like to introduce you to Michael Delacruz.
So, before we jump into specific questions about the business, why don’t you give us some details about you and your story.
I guess the story starts back in high school and picking classes your friends were in. I decided I wanted to give photography a try as I have already taken all the other ones that were offered at the time. This was in the early 2000’s so digital photography was nowhere near where it is today. I learned how to use a Pentax K1000 film camera, how to process film negatives, and develop black and white images in the darkroom. After high school, I joined the US Navy and photography took a back seat for about 13 years. I never really stopped, I continued to create here and there but I mostly did it for fun and to share on social media.
Fast forward to 2019 and I find myself separating from the US Navy after 13 years, ten of which was mostly spent overseas on combat tours. Well now I have some spare time while my wife is busy with her work schedule, I decided to dive back into photography. I picked up a full-frame camera (Sony A7iii) and asked my photographer friend (Doug Tahuite) if I could tag along during his shoots just to learn the ropes again. Three months later, I was able to get my first publication in a magazine (Shutter Magazine) and I was hooked. Two months after that, I decided to make everything official and register my Brand/Company Late Risers Media Group as an official business. 20+ magazine publications later here we are at the tail end of 2020 and chugging along.
We’re always bombarded by how great it is to pursue your passion, etc – but we’ve spoken with enough people to know that it’s not always easy. Overall, would you say things have been easy for you?
I’d like to describe the journey as a rocky road ice cream. Having officially started the business right at the start of the pandemic it has been a curse and a blessing at the same time. For the majority of the time I spent honing my skills and learning new techniques while others locked themselves at home binge-watching everything on Netflix. Currently, I am in the process of getting the word out about my business as I do have a niche in photography that I tend to favor.
We’d love to hear more about your work and what you are currently focused on. What else should we know?
So, I am a photographer, retoucher, stylist, creative director, videographer, and editor. I am basically a one-person media group. As a photographer, I can shoot pretty much every type of photography, however, I do specialize in portraiture specifically in editorial style fashion and beauty. I just feel that there is no limit when it comes to these two genres and there is much more artistic freedom involved. These are the types of work that gets me excited to do what I do. Likewise, I also do videography in which I am fairly open to any type as I recently started to become more involved with it.
So, what’s next? Any big plans?
For the future, I’d like to gain bigger clients to do more catalog work for upcoming clothing lines and beauty products. I’d also like to do more collaborative work with more HMUA to get them published as well and get their skills showcased for the world to see. Way down the future, I’d like to expand to a small team so I’ll be able to provide a more robust experience and package to future clients.
Pricing:
- Basic Portrait Package – $150
- Ideal Package – $350
- High-end / Editorial – $650
Contact Info:
- Website: https://laterisersmedia.com/
- Phone: 8582152096
- Email: itsbeenfunmikemedia@gmail.com
- Instagram: @late.risers
Image Credit:
Photographer and Retoucher: Michael Delacruz; Models: Ana Sofia Juarez, Atabey Garralon, Ashley Sondrup, Melody Vaqura, Sage Estrada, Bee Gilbertson, Randi Eckert, & Ana De La Torre
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