"I started with Acrobatic Cheerleading and Breakdancing in Venezuela. And when I came to Aruba, I met some B-boys and Acrobats and began to train and work for a circus company on the island; basically, I started with the intention of making videos inspired by DevinSuperTramp and from there, I noticed that I also loved photography." He came to Aruba to visit his mother and still remembers one of the first things he noticed and liked about Aruba was how safe it was. “I fell in love immediately." "Settling in Aruba wasn't difficult. “At first because I barely had friends, but since this is the happy island, after I made some friendships, my liking for the island increased more and more, until today.”
Before Petit started doing commercial photography, he spent some years as a hobbyist photographer. The transition felt natural to him because, he explains, he really wasn't in a hurry. But by the time he started doing commercial photography, he had already gained quite a bit of experience. “I have always been artistic, so for me, the change was more in the mentality of business than it was artistically because I was already pursuing ‘uniqueness in art’ on the art side. The first time I held a camera was truly transformative for me, but honestly, my passion grew more as I learned more. Initially, I wanted to be a fine arts photographer, but then I got the chance, by coincidence, to assist in a Vogue shoot in Aruba. From that moment on, I realized my destiny was to be a photographer."
Looking back, Petit recalls the challenges he faced to start his photography business and stand on his own feet, it wasn't easy. “The early days were difficult, especially because I have a dark style in photography; and at that time, soft colors and bright photos were in style. I remember people contacting me and saying they wanted to take some photos but they wanted them to be ‘brighter than your normal style’.
For me, this was a big problem because people were not resonating with my style, to overcome this particular problem I started sending clients my portfolio website so I could explain that I can do the photos they want, but in the style that they can see on my website- callmepetit.”
“If I had to share a photo that resonated deeply with me, it could easily be the Milky Way shoot I did in Turkey, that shoot meant so much and the trip was very challenging.
The best photos are made in pre-production. The only way to adapt is to do your homework, prepare for the shoot and take the photos with intention. Once you know what you are going for, it is easy to change between different styles.
“I have invested in many workshops, courses and of course camera equipment like crazy; at first people thought I was crazy until it started paying off. With photography, I have learned that investing in yourself must be the best ROI (return on investment) there is.
“Know your worth and put tax on it”
I do not consider myself a role model, but I am aware of the inspiration that my work has created around me; I find myself with many people who come and talk to me about how they are inspired by things that I have done and that is my best inspiration for myself.”
“Reach levels that I don't even know about yet!
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