Yahir Vasquez: Capturing Moments, Creating Memories, and Engineering Entertainment
Ride The Wave #6: Yahir Vasquez on the power of perseverance, continuous improvement, and seeking advice
Welcome to Ride The Wave!
A weekly newsletter featuring remarkably talented individuals in their field. Our guests will demonstrate how pursuing their passion has led to a fulfilling work life and inspire you to try something similar.
You will also be able to grow your network as I make it easy for you to connect and interact with our guests. Join a community of like-minded individuals who are also looking to challenge themselves and learn from the experiences of others.
Introduction
By: Daniel Magazu
Welcome to the exciting world of videography, where capturing memories and telling stories through a camera lens is a true art form.
And who better to guide you through this world than Yahir, a self-taught videographer who has already achieved impressive success despite being just a freshman in college.
Yahir's journey to finding his passion for videography is a testament to the power of perseverance and the pursuit of one's passions.
Growing up in the Dominican Republic, Yahir never expected to find his calling in videography. But when he captured a touching moment at a local soccer game in Massachusetts, he knew he had found his purpose.
Yahir has been hard at work, honing his skills and building his portfolio. And the results have been impressive - Yahir has already been hired by Frozen Fenway, Amherst College, the University of Massachusetts, Brown University, local sports teams, and more.
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This is a remarkable achievement, especially considering that Yahir has only worked at his craft for a year. He indeed proves that being passionate and hardworking will lead to quick success in the world of videography.
A Journey Through the World of Videography
By: Yahir Vasquez
Growing up in the Dominican Republic, I never imagined that I would develop a deep passion for videography.
Yet, when I captured the emotional moment of a local soccer team in Massachusetts (Worcester Academy), which garnered 15K+ views, I knew I had found my calling. The reel became viral on Instagram, marking my first significant accomplishment in videography. Also, while I have other reels with impressive stats like 1 Million views and 50K likes (Link to video), none holds a candle to that unforgettable experience, forever etched in my memory.
Building on my accomplishment of capturing a cherished memory from that Worcester Acadamy soccer game, I began thinking about improving my skills.
This led me to start exploring the world of videography and editing. My journey with it has been a roller coaster ride, marked by periods of intense passion and others of relative detachment.
But every time I watch highlight reels and let's play videos on YouTube, I find myself being pulled back into it. It all started in middle school when I created play highlight reels of Odell Beckham Jr and uploaded them to Instagram.
While they were nothing extraordinary, they fueled my desire to keep honing my skills.
Sports proved to be an essential tool in my battle against depression and anxiety. However, my passion for creating highlight reels waned as I grew bored with them, and they failed to receive the desired recognition. I took a break from videography that lasted several years.
Then, during my senior year of high school, I stumbled upon highlight videos of neighboring towns and was inspired to give it another shot. I reached out to Mr. Martin Del Vecchio, a close friend's dad and a photography enthusiast, who took a chance on me and became my mentor.
He taught me how to use a camera and transfer the footage to my computer, and I was off to the races.
I started with soccer and continuously filmed, but the videos were mediocre at best. One of the challenges of videography is the constant comparison to other videographers, which began to take a toll on me. So, I took a break in my senior year, only to return stronger.
I am motivated by a desire to give back and help people, inspired by my mother's example. I practiced consistently to improve my skills and continually sought ways to improve. I also sought advice from experienced editors like Nikko, Berniejpvids, and TheBobbyMedia, who have been instrumental in my journey.
Pursuing my passion for videography has given me a sense of purpose and a means to capture unforgettable memories. When I first got into videography, I struggled and grappled with depression, but it motivated me to leave my house and make a difference.
Through videography, I have become more confident in my abilities, comfortable being in front of large crowds, and able to showcase my talent on the field.
I've learned that you don't need a fancy camera to get started in this field, though it certainly helps. Although the equipment can be costly, creating viral content is possible even with an iPhone. This hobby may be challenging, but the rewards are worth it, and I'm grateful for its impact on my life. As an experienced videographer, I'd like to share some insight and tips I’ve learned. Don't be afraid to ask questions and seek advice from others. I've had many questions, and I've found that asking other videographers for their input has been incredibly helpful.
One of the most exciting things about this field is seeing how quickly your content can go viral on social media. Another is the collaboration that can take place between videographers and photographers to create truly remarkable content.
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One piece of advice I would give is to utilize YouTube as a learning resource and improve your skills. When working with teams or clients, value your work and set fair prices for your services. With these tips, you'll be well on your way to success in the world of videography.