Antonio Cotto of GemPhoto has a reputation that is quickly becoming widespread.  Don't miss out -  take a peek at his accomplishments!

Antonio Cotto grew up in downtown Boston, moved around a bit right after college, and then moved back to New England.  Right now, he's living in Connecticut, halfway between Hartford and Providence, Rhode Island, where he's enjoying the suburban life.

Always a fan of art and architecture, Antonio took a photography during high school, but, unfortunately, couldn't afford the equipment to do it right.  Very many years later, his wife enrolled him in a photography class as a birthday gift.  How sweet!   This particular class was at a professional photographer's studio, and it covered advanced lighting techniques, posing, weddings, and the business side of photographer.   "Affordable digital photography had just taken off, and I never looked back," Antonio said.

Antonio attended college in Boston, and now works a day job as a mechanical engineer.   What started off as a hobby more than six years ago, was now making Antonio money through weddings, family portraits, and stock photography.  "I started pounding the pavement and contacting every magazine and website that I could come up with, and I landed my first big shoot with a local startup car magazine," Antonio tell, "I was thrown head first into shooting models with cars in a large showroom. I knocked them off their feet. They had never had such high quality work ever before. That was how I officially got started with model photography. Many years later, I have shot for many more web sites and magazines, I am still improving, learning and thoroughly enjoying the whole process."

Currently, Antonio works for a few magazines and websites, and he also submits some of his work to stock photo agencies.  He also continues to shoot weddings, receptions, family reunions, car shows, fashion shows, etc.  A few of his articles have been published, and he'd like to get some higher profile photography jobs and write for some bigger publications.

While Antonio is working hard to become known and make a career in photography, he still does it for all the right reasons. "[My favorite part is] the whole learning process, the planning, the interaction with the customers, the day of the shoot, the artistic challenges, computer post processing of the photos, the publishing of the best shots, compliments from the customers and viewers... It all just fascinates me so much. Sometimes at my day job, all that I can think about is a photo session that is coming up. I just love it."

Antonio describes himself as easygoing, thoughtful, and attentive to details.   During his free time, he enjoys surfing the Internet, going to car shows, traveling, and spending leisure time with his family.  Although, I can't imagine enjoying anything but your equiptment for somebody who owns a Canon 5D, Canon 20D, Canon 580 flash, Sigma 500 Super Flash, Newton flash flip bracket, full compliment of studio lights, light modifiers, wireless triggers, back drops, reflectors, etc...    Damn, boy!

When asked to give advice to models, Antonio said, "It is a job. It is nothing like a 9 to 5 job. You are your own boss. Unless you hook up with a top modeling agency that will keep you busy with a constant stream of modeling jobs, you need to do all the work of tracking down your own jobs.  Treat it as a business. Your makeup, hair products, clothing, nails, travel, meals, business cards (comp cards), parking, etc... are all tax deductible. Get the best photographers, makeup artists, and hair stylists that you can get to really make you look your best on your portfolio."

And for aspiring photographers?... "Don't compromise with cheap equipment. Don't be scared of jumping into studio type lighting. That is where the real quality photography all comes from. Take a class in photography. Hit all the big photography web forums. They are a real wealth of information for learning everything there is about photography. Just keep on shooting and enjoying the whole learning process."

Want to check out what Antonio Cotto's got going on?  Be sure to visit some his links!

"I've had a few of my articles published along with some of my photos.  Here is one of my favorite websites that regularly features some of my work: http://www.importfx.net/.

Here are some of the car shows that I have covered: http://www.gemphoto.photoreflect.com/.

Here are some of the latest models that I have worked with: http://gemphoto.fotopic.net/.

Here are some of my portfolio websites:
www.myspace.com/gemphoto
http://ujenatalent.com/photographer/11253.html
http://www.modelmayhem.com/member.php?id=886
http://www.glamour1.com/portfolios/blundar
http://www.modelsmania.com/photographers/157308
http://www.imodel.com/index.cfm?mid=5849
http://www.modellocate.com/photographer/1744
http://www.modelmingle.com/index.php?page=view_profile&id=1670

GemPhoto's Gallery