Finding your true calling at any point throughout your life is an experience that is cherished by anyone that is fortunate enough to experience it. Colombian fashion photographer Jorge Duva is one of the lucky ones that gets to live his dream. Before he was recognized as a distinguished Miami based photographer, Jorge received his B.A in Digital Media in Colombia. He moved to the US around 22 years ago after receiving his degree and began working as a graphic designer before redirecting his creative talents towards photography. For 15 years, Jorge worked in the editorial field designing magazines.

Jorge’s brilliant and colorful work solely focuses on fashion editorials. Jorge’s work has been featured in magazines like Cosmopolitan, Grazia, Women’s Health, Vogue, Harper’s Bazaar, and more. Having worked in editorial for companies like Televisa and American Media, Jorge credits those opportunities as integral to his development as a photographer.

Through his work, Jorge has also had the opportunity to work with icons in the fashion industry like Olga Kurylenko, Bond girl and notable cover girl, and Victoria’s Secret models Adriana Lima and Barbara Fialho. “The most captivating stories I have are the times I had the opportunity to capture the birth of my daughter and son,” Jorge recalls. “I think those two are my most important pictures ever.”

Jules:  Take us back to when you began your career in photography.

Jorge:  I used to be an art director for the biggest Hispanic editorial house (Televisa).  One day, I told the Editor in Chief from the magazine that I used to work with that I wanted to have the opportunity to shoot an editorial, because I noticed a lack of creativity in the photos I was getting and was always looking for ways to improve our magazine. It took some time to get the opportunity but when I had it the editor loved it. I didn’t have any experience as a photographer, just a class I saw when I was studying to get my degree as a graphic designer. My profession helped me a lot because as a graphic designer we learned about the theory of color, composition, the history of art, and also Photoshop and design. Very important knowledge and tools that helped me develop my career in photography. 

Jules:  How have you perfected your craft?

Jorge:  I think you become good at something when you have passion and love, and spend a lot of time studying and practicing. I used to watch a lot of YouTube videos and books and take pictures of everything around me. With my wife and kids, I practice with flash, strobes, LEDs, and natural light. With the time I found that my aesthetic was with the natural light mixed with led lights. Because of my full-time job as an art director, I only had time to shoot on the weekends and because of my obsession, I never missed shooting on the weekends for more than 5 years. During this time, I started creating concepts for editorials getting better and better every day. 

Jules:  What does it feel like to find your true calling?

Jorge:  You always dream about it but never realize that it will happen.  You always hear from people perseverance makes perfect. I’m still learning every day and I think you never stop learning but it is so true that you get better when you work nonstop with love and passion. It feels great to transmit your art to others and the way you see things, everyone is different, and it is very important not to compare with others. Focus on yourself and believe in what you do, it doesn’t matter if you get bad reviews because there will always be people who will follow you and will love your work.

Jules:  Your work has been featured in Cosmopolitan, Grazia, Women’s Health, Vogue, Harper’s Bazaar, and others. Share your favorite projects. 

Jorge:  I love every single project I do because in all of them I have a creative process that I enjoy a lot.  All the magazines have different DNA so concepts and style need to be very specific for each magazine, but I have to say my favorite project was my first cover for Harper’s Bazaar Mexico. I was looking for this opportunity for a long time ago and when I start working on this project the Editor in Chief was giving me a hard time and making my life not easy cause she was used to working with top photographers, but all this makes me stronger and makes me realize how much a had grown as a photographer because no matter how difficult she did everything to me they ended up loving our work. 

Jules:  Who would you like to work with?

Jorge:  I hope to work one day with Hollywood beauty Anya Taylor-Joy, she is completely beautiful, and she has a very strong editorial look.

Jules:   What is success to you?

Jorge:  It is to wake up every day loving what you do. To be surrounded by the love of your life, 2 beautiful kids (one girl and one boy), my family, and friends. To live your life with peace, love, and be healthy, and get paid for something you don’t consider a job. It feels really good to get recognition, but you have to do it because it makes you happy.

Jules:  Do you have advice for aspiring photographers?

Jorge:  Always push yourself harder and harder and don’t surrender. You will find out how good you are with time. Stop if during the process you don’t feel joy and passion, and always be respectful with those you photograph.

Jules:  Share your current projects.

Jorge:  I had the honor to be selected by Rolling Stone magazine to shoot their February cover for the Hispanic market.