Gustavo Duran is a vogue photographer, artistic director, and youngsters casting producer, born in northern Espírito Santo, Brazil, in 1987. Specializing in youngsters’ and teenage images, he has been working in Brazil and internationally for over twenty years. Based mostly in São Paulo, his work at the moment extends globally.
An fanatic of Brazilian cultural variety, Gustavo has constructed a robust presence in his residence nation whereas steadily increasing his worldwide attain. He’s identified for creating conceptual and unique portfolios that spotlight every baby’s individuality—serving to them construct confidence, develop their picture, and open doorways to future alternatives.
His work stands out for its give attention to pure motion and real expression. As an alternative of overly posed pictures, Gustavo takes a extra relaxed strategy—guiding kids in order that they really feel snug and assured, permitting their character to return via in an actual and genuine approach.
Alongside images, he additionally creates expertise runway exhibits and initiatives the place kids can expertise vogue in a extra hands-on and significant approach—constructing their portfolios, confidence, and presence. On this interview, we spoke about kids’s vogue images, working with younger expertise, the Brazilian youngsters’ vogue market, and the significance of staying true to your self each on and off set.
Q: Gustavo, are you able to inform us about your journey into the world of youngsters’s vogue? What initially impressed you to work on this area of interest?
A: My journey began once I was 15, working as a manufacturing assistant for a photographer. I used to be concerned in campaigns, styling, and manufacturing from early on. Over time, I noticed that working with kids was what I loved probably the most. Photographing youngsters and creating vogue content material with them felt pure to me.
Q: Was there a turning level if you realized this was the trail you wished to observe?
A: Sure, once I began creating extra unique work with kids and other people within the business started to note it. That recognition helped me develop in Brazil and later introduced alternatives to work internationally, particularly in Moscow and Italy.
Q: How has your expertise formed the best way you’re employed at the moment?
A: I discovered every part via follow. Over time, I finished seeing pictures as simply pictures and began pondering of them extra as small tales. Immediately, I give attention to creating one thing that feels actual and helps kids categorical themselves naturally.
Q: What do you take pleasure in most about working with kids in vogue?
A: I take pleasure in creating completely different and extra conceptual appears to be like, however at all times in a approach that feels pure for the kid.
Q: Kids convey a really completely different power in comparison with adults—how do you adapt your route for them?
A: I normally work with kids I’ve already chosen, in order that they naturally match the fashion I’m searching for. Due to that, I don’t must over-direct. I maintain issues easy and give attention to their expressions and pure magnificence.
Q: Your work usually feels very pure and filled with motion—how do you obtain that?
A: I information the kid as a substitute of controlling them. I give route, however I depart house for them to maneuver and be themselves. That’s the place the true moments come from.
Q: Has being a father influenced the best way you’re employed with kids?
A: Not in a limiting approach—fairly the other. Being a father truly makes every part simpler. It provides me extra expertise and a greater understanding of how you can join with kids and youngsters. I keep tuned in to their world—their language, what they like, the developments they observe. I’ve two boys, Lucas, who’s 15, and Benoah, who’s 2. Generally I even journey for work with them, which makes the entire expertise much more significant.
Q: What challenges do you face when working with youngsters?
A: The most important problem is usually with expectations from mother and father. Generally they see their baby a technique, and I present them one thing completely different. Managing that’s at all times probably the most delicate half.
Q: Are you able to inform us about your present initiatives?
A: In Brazil, in São Paulo, I’ve two primary initiatives yearly. SUPERSTAR is extra glamorous, with a purple carpet and an even bigger manufacturing. The FASHION SHOW is extra targeted on vogue—it provides kids the possibility to stroll in an actual runway present and expertise what occurs behind the scenes.
Q: What makes your runway exhibits particular?
A: I attempt to create one thing memorable for each the kids and their households. The exhibits are skilled, with robust visuals and music, however on the similar time, they’re about giving youngsters an actual expertise.
Q: What do kids achieve from these exhibits?
A: Confidence, presence, and expertise. It’s not nearly strolling—it’s about feeling a part of one thing and studying how you can categorical themselves.
Q: How would you describe the children’ vogue market in Brazil at the moment?
A: It’s very various and filled with power. Due to our local weather, issues are normally colourful and light-weight. The market is rising, and extra individuals are investing in it.
Q: What makes Brazil completely different from different nations?
A: The approach to life and the climate. We don’t have excessive winters, so even colder season collections are nonetheless fairly vibrant.
Q: What’s Brazil’s greatest energy on this business?
A: Variety. We now have a mixture of completely different appears to be like and backgrounds, and that creates one thing very distinctive.
Q: How do households in Brazil normally gown their kids?
A: Immediately, there’s extra affect from Europe. Dad and mom search for snug garments, but additionally one thing fashionable. Nonetheless, colours and prints are at all times current.
Q: Do mother and father observe developments?
A: Sure, increasingly. They’re being attentive to worldwide manufacturers and kinds.
Q: How does way of life affect vogue?
A: Due to the warmth and seaside tradition, garments have to be gentle and cozy. Youngsters want to maneuver freely, in order that’s at all times a precedence.
Q: How do you discover new expertise?
A: Principally via Instagram or referrals. Dad and mom attain out searching for skilled work and a robust portfolio.
Q: What do you search for in a toddler mannequin?
A: Appears are vital, however not sufficient. The kid wants character, confidence, and perspective.
Q: How vital is authenticity?
A: Crucial. When a toddler is pure and assured, the result’s at all times higher and extra distinctive.
Q: What recommendation would you give to oldsters?
A: Spend money on good pictures with knowledgeable who understands kids. And be affected person—this takes time and consistency.
Q: What has been a spotlight of your profession thus far?
A: Being an envoy for the Russian Vogue Present in Moscow since 2019 was a giant second for me. It was my first time taking my work outdoors Brazil on that stage.
Q: What values information your work at the moment?
A: Respect, humility, and having relationship with the households I work with.
Q: What are your plans for the longer term?
A: I wish to continue to grow internationally and ultimately create my very own company and manufacturing firm.
Q: How do you see the way forward for youngsters’ vogue?
A: I feel experiences will turn into extra vital. Additionally, there can be extra give attention to sustainability and acutely aware vogue.
Q: How would you describe your artistic imaginative and prescient in three phrases?
A: Genuine, Conceptual, and Transformative
Q: What does success imply to you at the moment?
A: Doing what I really like and feeling pleased with the work I create each day
Q: What do you want about Junior Model?
A: Junior Model is a benchmark on the subject of artistic content material for the kids’s vogue market. I actually like your positioning, your imagery, and your vogue exhibits, that are at all times very effectively directed. Being related and partnered with Junior Model is certainly a fantastic achievement for my profession and my skilled expertise around the globe.
