Spotlight Edition: Felix Natal Jr. "Homage to the Photographer Volume 1"

Read Time:14 Minute, 37 Second

Introduction:
This is something that’s be planned for awhile now and it took sometime to get it done. Atleast once a month we’re going to try and bring you an exclusive interview from one of your favorite photographers in the game. Its just our way of saying thank you for taking some of the glamorous photos of some the hottest models and video vixens in the out. We we’re privilege to bring you this month celebrity photographer Felix Natal Jr. as our first. Checkout Felix Natal Jr’s exclusive interview here at the Wiz’s Daily dose “Homeage to the Photographer Vol.1”

Bio:

What do Terrell Owens, 50 Cent, Gloria Velez, Wendy Williams and Shaquille O’Neil all have in common? They’ve all been photographed by one of the most sought after and entrepreneurial photographers working today, Felix Natal Jr.
A native of Harlem, New York, Felix Natal didn’t always have the same drive and determination he possesses today. As a teenager who jumped between five different high schools throughout New Jersey, Natal was faced with a great deal of adversity. However, while attending a night class at Passaic Community College, Felix met who would become one of his greatest mentors, Jerry Weiss. He encouraged Felix to apply to the prestigious School of Visual Arts in order to hone his photography talent and skills. After being accepted, Felix turned to his mother, his biggest fan, not only for encouragement but for financial assistance. “What motivates me to work so hard is the fact that my mom worked so hard,” Felix says in reference to his mother’s tireless effort to help provide him an education which has led him to the success he’s gained today.
Natal’s exotic photographic style is the product of a relaxed and unpretentious method. His sharp eye and desire for perfection bring about the vibrant photos that are proudly displayed on the walls of his studio. It is his humble approach toward life that is what offers him such great opportunities. According to Felix, building relationships is the “most important key because it’s like a family. I hold a lot of trust and respect for the people I work with.” It’s no wonder most of the models, actors, DJ’s, recording artists, and athletes he’s photographed go on to work with him a second, third, and even fourth time. What makes Felix so unique is not only his artistic photography but the fact that he has worked for everything he has achieved.
“There’s never been a middle man,” he says. “I’ve always done all my work; no assistants, no publicists. Even though I am not a publicist, I will try to help you as best as I can in your career. I truthfully want to build a friendship with my clients.” Felix’s relatable quality allowed him the opportunity to photograph Shaquille O’Neil, which ended up being one of his favorite shoots. “Shaq was one of my favorite shoots because it was drama-free and smooth. He only had 30 minutes but ended up staying 3 hours.”
The busy photographer’s biggest fear in life is that all of his success will quickly come to an end, but Natal’s “experience over finance” outlook on life never permits him to take anything for granted. “I’ve been blessed with the opportunities I’ve been given, even if this is my last shoot,” Felix says modestly. “I can honestly say that photography saved my life.”
Sure, Natal possesses the extraordinary ability to capture the true essence of a person, but also remains a humble individual, a quality that, in the past ten years, has appealed to the countless number of well-known faces who have placed their faith (and images) in the unparalleled hands of Felix Natal Jr.

Interview:

Hennywiz: What’s good Felix?!?

Felix Natal Jr.: I’m good my dude. Can’t complain, just grinding like usual.

Hennywiz: First off, I’m happy to have you here…

Felix Natal Jr.: I’m glad to be here as well. .

Hennywiz: Where are you from originally and what’s your ethnic background…

Felix Natal Jr.: I’m originally from New York City and I’m half Puerto Rican and half Italian.

Hennywiz: Can you talk a little about what sparked your interest in becoming a photographer and what the progression was like in the early days of your career? Did you go to college or have any formal training?

Felix Natal Jr.: What sparked my interest in Photography was a way to stay out of trouble. I got into a lot of trouble as a teenager and I started taking pictures when I was 18 years old of all my friends and a lot of girls who wanted to shoot. I went to night school at Passaic Community College and one of my professors by the name of (Jerry West) who saw my talent and encouraged me to pursue Photography as a profession. Then I went to the School of Visual Arts but I only went to school there for two years because after two years I felt that there was nothing else that I could learn in the classroom that could make me be a better photographer hands on.

Hennywiz: How long has he been into photography?

Felix Natal Jr.: I’ve been doing Photography for 15 years.

Hennywiz: What does Photography mean to you?

Felix Natal Jr.: Photography means the world to me. I don’t even have a clue what I’d been doing without it. It saved my life and it also made a way for me to provide for my wife and children, comfortably.

Hennywiz: In your opinion, what makes for a successful shoot?

Felix Natal Jr.: In my eyes a successful photo shoot starts with having a great game plan. When you sit down and discuss everything with the team – from the make-up artist, stylist and my graphic designers. Those are the shoots that come out best and usually are the most fun to do because when you set your mind to something and see the finish result there’s no better feeling.

Hennywiz: Are you always 100% satisfied with what you just shot or do you think about the things you would do differently “next time”?

Felix Natal Jr.: No, I’m not always 100% satisfied with a shoot that I’ve done. I think about how the lighting could have been or how the pictures would have come out if I did the shoot at a different location.

Hennywiz: With all the shoots you’ve done, which ones have been your most memorable so far?

Felix Natal Jr.: The most memorable photo shoots I have done… It’s hard I done so many that I loved. But to narrow it down some I would have to say Shaquille O’Neal, Coco and 50 Cent and G-Unit. The reasons why cause with Shaq I dealt with so many issues up to this point of my career with artists and athletes being difficult. I guess I figured Shaq was going to be difficult as well. It was the total opposite he was lay back and cool. Same with Coco. She is the hottest girl in the game and she’s such a sweetheart and a very appreciate person. You don’t get that from a lot of people these days. With 50 Cent and G-Unit I did there 1^st magazine cover shoot ever. They just got signed to Shady and they were real cool and when I heard some of the music before it was ever out. I could tell they were going to blow.

Hennywiz: How do you feel about miss shots that can’t be re-created?

Felix Natal Jr.: When I have miss shots it just makes me step my game up for the next shoot by doing the things I know I could have done better – like adjusting the lighting or choosing a better or exclusive location.

Hennywiz: Who’s your favorite person to shoot in the industry?

Felix Natal Jr.: That’s a hard one to answer. I have a lot of people I like to work with, but I would have to say Coco.

Hennywiz: What do you love the most about this career?

Felix Natal Jr.: I love what I do. There are not too many people that can say they love their job. It also gives me the freedom to have an open schedule so I can spend more time with my wife and my children. Who wouldn’t want to be in this position to shoot some of the most beautiful women in the industry, some of the biggest athletes and some of the hottest artists.

Hennywiz: Besides photography, can you talk about the things that inspire you, that feed your art and your eye?

Felix Natal Jr.: What inspires me to do photography again I would say my family and my mother. She worked her ass off so I could go to college and become successful. I won’t stop till I feel that both of my parents never have to work every again or even need anything. Without them and my wife, I don’t even know where I would be.

Hennywiz: What or where are some of your favorite places to shoot your clients?

Felix Natal Jr.: I love to shoot on location, the more exotic the better. I love to give images that are more one of a kind but its hard cause everybody falls in love with my loft with all the different opinions so a lot of times it doesn’t let me show my true talent and potential.

Hennywiz: Overall, what has been your opinion of the modeling industry as a whole?

Felix Natal Jr.: To be honest I just feel that the ladies are just following what’s hot and who’s hot at that moment instead of doing their own thing and try to be as different as possible.

Hennywiz: What are some of your long term goals as you continue to progress in your career?

Felix Natal Jr.: My long term goals I would have to say I would like to shoot album covers, shoot more mainstream stuff which my critics think I can’t do. I love to prove people wrong. I’m so completive something people misunderstand and take it for arrogance but its confidence. I know I can do anything I put my heart into. I want to be able to work a lot less so I can be around my kids in the most important years of their lives.

Hennywiz: Who are your influences?

Felix Natal Jr.: My influences are my parents and my wife you’d be surprised how strong of a support system I have, especially with my wife knowing I might have to leave in a spare of a moment and there’s never an issue. She figures it all out and holds down the forth with our family even if I’m not around.

Hennywiz: What else would you be doing if you hadn’t become a photographer, what else would you be interested in?

Felix Natal Jr.: To be honest I don’t even know how to answer that question because I couldn’t even imagine me doing anything else.

Hennywiz: What are some of your hobbies?

Felix Natal Jr.: Some of my hobbies are listening to music, watching movies and spending time with my family.

Hennywiz: What has been your single biggest obstacle growing as a photographer?

Felix Natal Jr.: My single biggest obstacle to growing as a photographer has been my family life. There are a lot of opportunities that have been offered to me (e.g. doing photo shoots in international locations or attending high profile events) that I was unable to accept because I didn’t want to be away from my family for an extended amount of time. But over time we figured out how to make it work.

Hennywiz: Do you ever have creative blockage when shooting; if so, how do you overcome that obstacle?

Felix Natal Jr.: Of course I do. I’ll be lying if I didn’t say so. It’s hard cause I shoot on an average of 22 to 25 times a month so a lot of times clients just tell me to do me and it’s hard when you shoot that much. Like I said earlier it’s a lot easier when you have a game plan.

Hennywiz: How do you feel about digital manipulation and to what extent do you utilize it?

Felix Natal Jr.: It’s a digital world you have to adapt to the times. I don’t do Photoshop personally, but I have a great group of guys I work with and they make sure my work is perfect whether if it’s a magazine or just an average person. I treat people with the same respect that’s how my parents raised me.

Hennywiz: Give a description of a day and a life of Felix Natal Jr.

Felix Natal Jr.: Lol. A day of Felix Natal Jr. is crazy trying to balance a hectic career being a husband and father is not easy. My life is very stressful at times because of this at times but you have to be a professional and make it work.

Hennywiz: What is one thing about yourself that tends to shock people once they get to know you personally?

Felix Natal Jr.: I think what shocks people most of all when they meet me is that I’m not arrogant and that I’m really laid back and easy to work with. And that I’m really a home body and I prefer to stay home and spend time with my family rather than go out all the time.

Hennywiz: Name some things you couldn’t live without?

Felix Natal Jr.: I couldn’t live without my number one supporter (my wife) because she holds me down by helping me with many things surrounding my business, takes care of me and my children and supports me in all of my decisions.

Hennywiz: What genre of music are you into?

Felix Natal Jr.: I like Hip Hob and R&B.

Hennywiz: What can we expect from you in the near future?

Felix Natal Jr.: If I had the opportunity I would have like to shoot the Notorious BIG and currently I would love to shoot Nas and Ludacris. Those are my favorite artists.

Hennywiz: If you had to do it over again, would you have become a photographer?

Felix Natal Jr.: If I had to do it all over again I would say yes. I would just do things a lot different. I have a big heart and because of that I been screwed over a lot over the years. In this industry you really can’t be nice cause people will take that for weakness and being hungry in the beginning of my career I put up with a lot of bs and honestly at times still do.

Hennywiz: Who or what would you like to shoot in the future that you haven’t already?

Felix Natal Jr.: Like I said earlier I would like to do album covers and I would like to shoot Kobe Byrant, Lebron James, Ludacris, Nas and Adrian Peterson. That’s my top 5 on my list to get done within the next few years.

Hennywiz: What would you have done differently during your photography career so far and could this be an advice to others?

Felix Natal Jr.: Like I said before, just be careful this industry will eat you alive and spit you out if you let them. They will use you to get everything for you. Then when they think they can’t get nothing else from you, then they move on to the next. I would also say to be strong and sometimes just saying no, just for your self respect.

Hennywiz: What advice do you have for inspiring models out there trying to break into the industry?

Felix Natal Jr.: Just be different and do your own thing. Don’t try to follow who’s hot at that moment cause throughout my career I worked with so many people that were hot 1 minute and then they were finish and you never heard nothing from them again just do you.

Hennywiz: I really appreciate you taking the time to grant me this interview. Anything you want to say to your fans out there?

Felix Natal Jr.: Not a problem. To my fans stay tune for a lot more hot work coming soon and make sure u check out felixnataljr.com and you can also follow me @felixnataljr. Thanks for showing me so much love over the years. I might of took the majority of 2009 off to be at home and get my family situated but the beast of the east is back and you’re going to see a lot more from me.

Photogallery of Felix’s work: