Kako Escalona Photography Lessons

Kako Escalona Photography Lessons

5.0(2 reviews)
Top Pro
Top Pro

About

My passion for photography has always coexisted with the love of teaching. Perhaps because I come from a family of educators, it happens that from the moment I'm learning something new, I'm also thinking about how to explain it to others.

I got graduated in cinematography in 2008 at the University of the Arts of Havana. In a low-income school, it been less difficult for students to get a still camera than a video one, so we learned both, still and motion photography, almost on our own and in bits and pieces. For that reason when I became a teacher I redesigned the class program just as I would have liked to have received it. To my satisfaction, the method was validated by who became also my mentor Mr. William Frank Gentile, professor at the American University in Washington DC, who enlightened me in how to teach. Since 2012 I have taught for the American University, the University of Arts of Havana and the University of Havana.

Since 2018 I have collaborated with photo stocks and wire agencies covering national and international events. My photos have been published in the Wall Street Journal, The Guardian, Financial Times, Houston Chronicle and El Pais.

In 2021 I started cover assignments for DoorDash illustrating new business menus. In 2023, I took over 300 photo shoots in 17 states, along more than 35k miles of driving.

Beyond photojournalism and teaching, a professional photographer must be ready to be called for all kinds of assignments. In this way, I have also covered weddings, portraits, fashion, commercial, products, events, concerts, travel photography, street, landscape, food, nature, and events.

I assume that the progress of my students as a progress of mine, and It makes me feel proud when I observe them find their own way beyond my lessons.


Highlights

Current Top Pro
5 years in business
Serves Miami Lakes , FL

Payment methods

Credit Card, Cash, Check, Venmo, Paypal, Zelle

Social media


Specialties

Interest in additional skills

Photoshop skills, Improve knowledge of lighting, Lightroom software skills

Student's age

19 – 25 years old, 26 – 45 years old, 46 – 65 years old, Over 65 years old

Experience level

No experience, Beginner, Intermediate

Photography type

I can make recommendations, Portraits, Action, Wildlife / nature photography, Time-lapse, Beginner basics

Photos and videos


  • Reviews

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    HB

    Henry B.

    He was really supportive and patient, he showed me a lot of respect while also teaching me really useful tips and pushing me to make my work better.
    ... Show more
    November 11, 2019

    JE

    Jonah E.

    Kako gave me an amazing photo experience while on my trip to Cuba! He was able to show me different photography techniques, while at the same time helping me to improve on what I already know. If you are looking for a professional and intuitive photography experience, this is a great option as well as opertunity to improve on your skills and to learn with a pro!
    ... Show more
    March 20, 2019

    Frequently asked questions

    First of all, I would like to know the expectations and interests of my student in order to taylor the lessons, highlighting everything that may be useful and subtracting interest from what is not. Each student is a universe in itself and the ideal would be to be able to tailor the lessons.

    First, I would like to know the expectations and interests of the student to make the lessons more personalized, highlighting everything that can be useful and avoiding wasting time on what is not. Each student is a universe in itself and the ideal would be to adapt the lessons to each person.

    The university where I studied first and then worked as a teacher was a very humble school. My idea was to create a documentary workshop using photographs instead of video cameras, but using the same workflow. Due to my students knowledge was not homogeneous, I had to redesign the learning cycle from level zero, in order to each class become in a step to understand the next one.

    When Mr. Gentile appeared in my life, he thought that my workshop seemed to be designed by a more experienced person. Thanks to that, he chose me to teach a semester of Photojournalism and Social Documentary to a group of students from American University in Havana. (Yes, even living in the island, I taught Americans students firts to Cubans.)

    That semester I taught for American University been readapted by me to the economic conditions of Cuban students (using cell phones intead of DSLRs, for example)  and I proposed to the University of Arts and the school of Communications at the University of Havana. Nowadays, former students of mine have become filmmakers, reporters and collaborators for state-run and independent media in Cuba.

    Of all kinds, but -of course -mainly young people due to my former condition of University Professor.


    Services offered

    Photography