February 10, 2020

Meet Gus Cantavero

Local Stories

Today we’d like to introduce you to Gus Cantavero.

Gus, before we jump into specific questions about your work, why don’t you give us some details about you and your story.
I have been self-employed as a freelance photographer and filmmaker since I was 18. I got my first photo assistant job at 15 and it was the perfect match for me. I never wanted the traditional career path of finding a job and working my way up. Of course, that route provides a sense of predictability, stability and benefits which suit many people. I was homeschooled and a child of an entrepreneur so I was fiercely independent from the beginning so that path never felt right. There was something freeing about being able to pursue different kinds of work as the interest struck me and succeeding based on how much effort I put into networking and developing my skills.

I studied a lot of photography in art school but my degree was in graphic design from Purchase College, NY. I always had a balance of interests in the technical and artistic so that felt right at the time. I quickly fell back into working in photography after graduation because it was just the natural fit for me and my business.

I’m from southern Connecticut, 45 miles north of New York City which is a very competitive region with some of the most talented artists in the world. It definitely wasn’t always easy, but there was no shortness of opportunity for those willing to fight for it. Ultimately, those lessons have served me well and I’m thankful for what I’ve learned along the way.

In 2006 I began experimenting with the Canon 5d mark II which introduced HD video to photographers and it started me off on my filmmaking career. I was always more interested in motion than stills but was far too self-conscious about attempting to go to film school as I had never really attempted it and it seemed so distant and unattainable. I now know it’s probably what I should have studied from the start. There’s a big debate around whether a formal film education can help or hurt someone’s creativity and ambition but one thing is certain: it opens doors and connections that are otherwise difficult.

In 2009 I released my first feature-length, self-produced documentary, “A Drop of Water” about an orphanage in Cambodia. Since then I’ve filmed hundreds of commercial and documentary projects. More recently I was a cinematographer on my first feature narrative, “False Hopes”.

This year I am putting the finishing touches on my online photography teaching curriculum at PhotoIQ.co and I continue to shoot fine art landscapes on a regular basis. So, 19 years later I’m still someone who isn’t satisfied with just picking something and sticking with it. While that’s bad advice to give a young person starting out, I wouldn’t change a thing.

Great, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome
In a word, no. In 2008 I had been out of school a couple of years, newly married and I was working a consistent studio assistant job for national furniture brand based in Connecticut. I had been getting the feeling that I was going to be hired full time as I had worked really hard and contributed a lot to the studio. Instead, I was let go from that job without another lead. That taught me a big lesson in that I can never again be caught flat-footed. I have never taken another client or gig for granted and always expected them to end at some point. I’ve had many long-standing clients and every year I am prepared that something will change and that’s why I’m always trying to further diversify my skills, investments and offerings to inoculate myself against that sudden jolt.

Additionally, family and work-life balance can be a huge challenge. I worked myself into a back injury and have been forced to take things more slowly or be faced with back surgery. In one sense this is a mandatory order from God to enjoy my life more and I’m going to heed that order going forward.

We’d love to hear more about your work.
I am a commercial and documentary filmmaker and photographer. I create films for advertising, non-profits, university and documentary purposes. Most of what I do is focused around people and their stories. I also really enjoy the creativity allowed by fashion work and working with professional models and actors.

Although it’s not a primary part of my business I do occasional portraiture work by request for families as it’s always a thrill to make people smile when they see their new family keepsake. I also regularly shoot fine art landscape photography for client’s homes and galleries.

Contact Info:

Website: www.guscantavero.com
Email: gus@guscantavero.com
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/gc_filmimages/

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