Interview With Photographer Trevor Godinho

In Trevor Godinho’s 8-year career as a photographer he has had the privilege of working with names like Michael Douglas, Nicholas Cage, designers KAVI KAVI and NAZ SWIMWEAR, models from agencies like Elite, Ford and Elmer Olsen, as well as many other big names in the fashion and film industry. We were fortunate sit down with Trevor and discuss his work as a photographer. His interview can be seen below.

Q:Describe Trevor Godinho’s ambition in photography?

My ambitions, well to be completely honest is not to be famous per say, its more to create images or art that speaks for itself and have the ability of transporting the viewer into my vision. On the career side of things I aim to be picked up a good photography agent that can place mysef with well known clients and magazines such as Tom Ford, Louis Vuitton, Armani, GQ, Vanity Fair and various others from actors to recording artist.

Q:What is the vision behind your hopes & aspirations for the future?

In the past the aim was to create with the tools I had at hand when I started photography I had mostly glamour (maxim) style models at my disposal. I always wanted to work in the high fashion realm but due to the lack of exposure or agencies at the time willing to give me a chance I had to make do. But over the years proving to them what I can do with what I have been given has landed me working with some of the top agencies in the world from Ford, Elite and so on. So finally after 8years I’m in a place where my hopes and aspirations are on the cusp of being realized, I’m currently in the process of rebranding myself and pushing into 100% into fashion and celebrity portraiture. The vision is now to show what I can really achieve using the talents and lessons I’ve learned over the years to create the art that I’ve always aimed to create using the new tools I’ve been able to acquire.

Q:When was it that you actually first picked up a camera and discovered this passion? Did you start with film or was it straight to digital SLR’s? What made you choose Photography? How did it all begin?

Well I’ve always loved photography but at first it was never my interest to take it on as a career. When I was in university studying fine art my focus was more painting and sculpture. I started carrying my dad’s old 1967 Olympus Trip 35 camera taking pictures of things that inspired me. It was not til I took an art photography class with the amazing professor/ artist Simon Glass that I fell in love with film and the darkroom. It gave me a new sense of creation and the ability to freeze moments and sustain them as they happened. Currently I work mainly in digital due to my client needs but still love shooting film (nothing comes close to the quality and intimacy of film).

Q:Most say that to even spark an interest in photography, one must have an “eye” for their environment. When and what made you realize that you see the world differently than everyone else?

That is very true in some ways one must have a sense of awe about the world they live in and the eye to see amazing moments as they reveal themselves. That is the first part being able to see the moments, the second is training your eye to see it all the time and getting the timing down to capture it in that split second as no two moments even a second apart are the same.

Q:What is something unique/interesting that most people wouldn’t know about Trevor?

Hmm. not sure probably there was a time in my life I wanted to be come a paleontologist traveling the world digging up dinosaurs. Well I’m still traveling the world now but in a career very far from digging dinosaurs.

Q:With social media today, many say that anyone with an iPhone can be a “photographer”. How do you feel about photography in social media and networking? What do you define as photographer?

I think the internet and social media is an amazing tool its where I made my career if these tools were not there photographers like myself would never get the exposure that we get now on the global scale. Anyone with a camera is technically a photographer, but there is a difference between the point and shoot photographer and the artist/ professional photographer, what defines them is one does it as a hobby or for fun and one does it to put food on the table, making money by creating images separates you from the everyday photographer having a client list developing ones hobby into a business is where I would define being a professional photographer. On the comment about the iPhone well it takes pretty damn good images and I do use it when I scout locations or see something that inspires me so it’s a great tool to use just don’t try to convince a client like Mitsubishi or Nike that’s how your going to shoot their campaign and if you are, better have a killer pitch.

Q:he industry standards at the moment belong to Canon and Nikon. Which do you find yourself shooting with? Do you feel wither brand helps in any way with the style of photography you do specifically?

I’m an Nikon guy personally but I don’t feel any brand is better than the other they both have their strong points and are geared to certain types of photographers and their comforts, reason I love my Nikon is that the buttons switches and functions that were on my film SLR is still in the same place on my D-SLR where as some brands have decided to moved them into their menu systems to create more space I personally like knowing the button is there when I need it rather than having to go through menus. A camera is a tool no matter if it is Nikon, Canon or a disposable camera the creation of the image is result of the user.

Q:What are some of your recent achievements?

Recently I was honored and humbled to work with John Stamos in NYC on his charity Project Cuddle that help abandoned babies find good homes with loving families. May not your usual achievement but for myself I always aim to give back where I can for the blessing I’ve been given. In September I had the opportunity to work with hip-hop legend Ice- T and actor Alexander Skarsgard from True Blood. Its has been an exciting year for me a lot of publications, which included a cover in Men’s Health Australia which I have to thank my amazing image publicist April who has been placing my work in various magazines worldwide.

Q:What motivates you when behind the lens?

Personally my aim when I place the camera in front of my eye is to capture the mood the atmosphere the vision and the essence of what is happening on set at a controlled shoot or in the world as events happen which our out of our control. I aim to capture that moment when the wall comes down and the subject’s vulnerability is exposed.

Q:Tell us about Trevor’s work ethic in the studio and how you achieve small and large goals?

My ethics are very simple; respect is key with the talent (subject) and my team. I believe photography is and should be an ego-less process where multiple elements from makeup artists, hair, wardrobe and the subject themselves lend their energies to create a singular work. With that kind of mentality and vision applied to projects one can achieve anything. Best way to achieve any goal small or big I would have to say planning and organization is key that with dedication and focus some times along the way to ones goals you may feel discouraged but as long as you have a plan it will always get you back on track.

Q:List some role models that inspire you?

I’ve been inspired by many so I hope you have the time to read this list, starting with Patrick Demarchelier one of the reasons I feel in love with fashion photography, Mario Testino, Peter Lindbergh, Ines and Vinoodh, Annie Leibovitz, and Russell James who has been amazing to reply to some of my questions over the years and has been a constant inspiration to me both as a photographer and one aiming to change the world for the better.

Q:Have you ever had a time of adversity or a time of uncertainty in photography that you had to overcome, if so, how did you overcome the situation and conquer the odds?

Oh many times. When I stated to move my brand and start working in New York City I was almost at the point of quitting photography, I had a few well known models lined up some who have shot with photographers like Mario Testino and for Victoria’s Secret. NYC can make your career or break it, that fear started to eat at my confidence. But with girlfriend, good friends and a lot of support, I decided to use that fear to motivate me and prove to NYC and myself I can do it. The shoots when extremely well and now I make frequent trips to New York.

Q: What would your dream performance be to capture? Any artist, alive or dead and the location.

I’d have loved to work with Michael Jackson such a creative person. But right now would have to be Johnny Depp or Daniel Craig shot in streets and cafes of Italia.

Q:Do you have any advice for other photographers out there?

Best advice would be find a genre that inspires you, focus on studying photographers that you identify with and keep shooting, networking and building a good team behind you will propel you further and always be humble.

Q:Would you like to make any shout outs?

I’d likes to thank Pruvology for the honor thank you I’m humbled by your interest in my work and my story.

We want to thank Trevor for taking the time to chat with us, we look forward to his future in Photography. Be sure to check Trevor out and show some love! You can follow him on Twitter, Facebook, and Website,