Today we’d like to introduce you to Kaiser Doricent.
Kaiser, we’d love to hear your story and how you got to where you are today both personally and as an artist.
I have always enjoyed taking pictures or looking through albums for as long as I can remember. I have shoe boxes filled with prints and thousands of digital files I have managed to save over the years. However, back then it was just for the sake of memories and not the art behind it. The only art forms I was ever into were writing, drawing, and painting. Out of the three I was only good at writing. I am still surprised that today I have business cards that say my name and “photographer” underneath. As much as I love it now, it sorts of just happened.
Circa 2013 I decided that I needed a hobby. I could pinpoint an exact date, but I just wanted to say circa. I had to give up my brief boxing journey and being a “beast” in Call of Duty wasn’t really cutting it. Screenwriting was an interest back then and still is, but I have to be in the mood to write. So, I bought an acoustic guitar. I question that now, but it made sense at the time. Need a hobby? Buy a guitar. Everyone thinks that way. Around the same time, I bought a used digital camera and you can probably guess which of the two won my interest.
The plan was to go explore the world, aka the Boston area, and capture great 1950’s style street photography images. I maybe used the camera about three times and then life got busy. The camera went back in its bag until 2015 when I had free time. I set back out again and learned quickly that it is hard to capture images from an era that no longer exists, but I kept at it. I spent my time capturing candid portraits or stopped people in the street if they had a cool look. Somewhere along the way I heard about Model Mayhem.
I had no idea I could plan a shoot with someone instead awkwardly stopping complete strangers. There was one problem, I didn’t know what I was doing. At least with strangers there was no expectation that they’d ever see the photo. I locked myself in a room most of the year watching every YouTube video I could find and reading articles about photography. In the meantime, I tried shooting events, which I learned quickly wasn’t for me. Once I felt somewhat confident I reached out to a model who was also just starting out and I loved it. I created an Instagram account just to share the work from my new hobby. I came across Portrait Meet where I was able to network with other photographers and aspiring models which was great. I was having fun. Mission accomplished, I had a hobby that I enjoyed. Several months later I received a message that changed everything. “How much do you charge for a shoot?”. You mean I can get paid for my hobby?
I know you’re wondering about the guitar. It currently resides in a storage unit. I never learned how to play it. I used it as a prop in a photo shoot once and that’s about it. I tried to sell it, but apparently, I was wrong. Not everyone buys a guitar when they need a hobby.
We’d love to hear more about your art. What do you do you do and why and what do you hope others will take away from your work?
I am a portrait and fashion photographer. I enjoy other genres such as night photography and product photography, but portraiture and fashion are where my heart is. I love a great photo. A great photo can inspire, tell a story, mesmerize, and make you think, just to list a few. Being able to create something like that is simply a rewarding feeling.
In the age of social media, I scroll through hundreds of images liking good photos. Occasionally I will land on an image that I cannot move away from. It’s so amazing that I just stare at it until I snap out of it. Those are the type of images I want to create and want people to experience that feeling. Photography is my art and I’m very passionate about it.
What do you think it takes to be successful as an artist?
Photography started as hobby for me and at the end of the day I mainly want to create beautiful images. That said, I define success as feeling great about my work. Do I love what I created? Is it the best? Is the client beyond satisfied? Can I print this, put it on my wall and look at it every day? Can I recreate this or did I get lucky?
As an artist or otherwise, I believe the most important characteristic necessary for success is drive. A car doesn’t move if you leave it in park. You have to be able to keep going no matter what. Many factors such as time, bad critique or lack of critique, and fear will make you want to quit. Today even social media, as great as it can be, can be harmful if you fall into worrying about the number of likes and followers. You have to want it, believe in yourself, and keep going.
Do you have any events or exhibitions coming up? Where would one go to see more of your work? How can people support you and your artwork?
I’m most active on Instagram. People can support by following, liking, commenting and sharing. Instagram: @vlkaiser.photogprahy I plan to display my work at galleries in the near future. Stay tuned and come out, that will be a great way to show support.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.vlkaiserphotography.com/
- Email: vlkaiser.photography@gmail.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/vlkaiser.photography/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/vlkaiser.photography
- Twitter: https://twitter.com/vlkaiser_photo
Image Credit:
Luz Ginel, Charlene Tareese, Migdalia Sostre, Akua A., Kiara Monique.
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