Today we’d like to introduce you to Faustinus Deraet.
Hi Faustinus, so excited to have you on the platform. So before we get into questions about your work-life, maybe you can bring our readers up to speed on your story and how you got to where you are today?
Once, I was a child and several years later I became a photographer. My name is Faustinus Jozef Maria Hendrik Deraet Van Regemorter and I go by Faustinus. I was born in Antwerp (Belgium), I grew up in Mexico City and moved to Austin. While living in Mexico, we spent the summers in Antwerp. Time went by and before I finished my degree in computer systems at the Iberoamericana University I traveled again to Europe where I stayed for a period of time. To my comeback to Mexico, IBM hired me as a sales executive and almost without noticing -as many things go through life, among them time- I got trapped without a lot of conviction in that work routine, however it helped me mature in a personal and economical way.
A few years later, I studied an activity which resulted more attractive: Photography. That’s how between IBM and Escuela Activa de Fotografia we founded “La Vida Privada” (The Private Life), a photographic studio which for years allowed me to work as a full-time photographer. During those years I met my wife, and long story short we moved to the city of Austin where a new life began, new friendships and new photo projects were emerging. My daughter was born and I became a stay-at-home dad, I continued with my photography and we traveled as much as we could. And while writing these words, I realized it’s been 22 years since me moved to this one-of-a-kind weird city that has its name embedded in mine.
Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
I love my road, we are alive and healthy. My live has been accompanied with experiences and teachings, that I try to adapt to my path, not always with the results I expect, but everything is fine. Photography wise, I still miss the darkroom’s “light” and “aroma”, and I still struggle with iphones, and the concept that now-a-days we are all photographers… even a two years old can take a photo and a good one 😉
Can you tell our readers more about what you do and what you think sets you apart from others?
Once I started to live as a commercial photographer, I discovered that the profession was going far beyond what I thought; it transformed into something personal. Besides working as a Teaching Artist at Creative Action, now that everyone is a photographer, I’m still trying to survive as one. Commercially, I collaborate with several clients. With my personal photography (call it art photography) I’m still committed to creating work as often as I can. My photography has been shown in Europe, United States and Mexico. I have two published books taken with a Holga (plastic toy camera): “While Wandering Through El Deh Effeh” and “China Paused”. Currently I am represented by Davis Gallery in Austin, Texas and 4th Street Gallery in Blanco, Texas.The coolest thing about my photography, besides belonging in several private collections, is that it is also a part of Mexic-Arte Museum and The Wittliff’s Collections.
Do you any memories from childhood that you can share with us?
Childhood was wonderful, I can talk about it for hours, my whole childhood is a favorite memory. Favorites memories started when my mom talked to me in Flemish in front of Spanish speakers, and seeing their faces while asking me what she said it still brings me a smile. But, if I had to choose one favorite childhood memory, it would be being a contestant in national radio and national TV.
Contact Info:
- Website: www.faustinusderaet.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/faustinus/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Photography-by-Faustinus-533007813394912
- Other: https://www.davisgalleryaustin.com/artist/faustinus-deraet
Image Credits
Faustinus Deraet
