Emerging Artists is a blog series where we feature local and international emerging artists. Today’s Emerging Artists is a videographer and photographer Wesley Hilario.

I’m Wesley Hilario, I’m an Edmonton-based film-maker. I’ve graduated from the University of Alberta with a major in Economics but I discovered a deep devotion into the arts of film-making and photography. My work consists of music videos for local artists, short films and street photography. I’ve always been fascinated by stories ever since I was a kid, regardless of genre (except horror) and medium. I believe that at the core of every story, fictitious or not, there is always humanity to be discovered. This is why I always aim to reveal the personal and the real in my line of work. If I’m not carrying around cameras, you would probably find me holding a book, a guitar or a cup of coffee. For now, my projects are as diverse as they come as I am on the works of building a robust portfolio.

Hi I’m Wesley Hilario ,and this is my story.

How did it begin?

Wesley: It is funny because last year I went on an exchange, it was an internship with a start- up company in Greece and my time there was for three months. I met a lot of people, and one of the people I met was Alex, a photographer from Toronto. He was the one who exposed me to cameras back then. Before him I did not know anything about photography. During our time spent there, he was able to teach me the basics of the camera, and that’s how I learned to operate a camera. Way before I knew how to work one, I was always fascinated by movies since I was a kid, especially old classic film before I even knew how to speak English. So that was my first exposure to American movies and now going back to photography I started last year in August.

What’s the difference between what you knew then and now with the camera? What have you learned?

Wesley: I learnt through youtube videos by Casey Neistat, the vlogger. I learned the basics of vlogging from him. For anyone taking up photography or videography for the first time, I think what has worked for me has been doing it every day. And not waiting for friends or other people to approach me and do a project with me. I always have a new project that I am continually working on and editing and that consistent exposure made me comfortable with the camera. I picked up videography mid-January, and around that time, I wanted to pick it up fast, but I did not have the resources to do so. So what I did was set a mandate for myself that I would take a picture every day. I am at 186 days now, but I cut it off there.

Eunice: consistency is vital, it is unfortunate that when it gets hard, people usually stop because they don’t see the small growth they have made, and since it takes 30 days to form a habit we should be consistent with the work we do.

Wesley: You get a groove of it within 30 days, and during that time, by the end, you see how much you have grown. I suggest looking at the first ten pictures you took and looked at where you have come 100 days after that.

What has it been like working with people of different skin tones and body shapes?

Wesley:I don’t usually work with full-body images, and a lot of my photos are portraitures, but when it comes to skin tones, I try to make sure it come across as authentic as possible. I want to maintain the natural colours, whether their hair or environment because I would rather enhance with what they already have and keep it natural.

Getting Exposure.

How did you get in touch with artists and musicians?

Wesley:Before I was exposed to any art, I was more focused on math and analytical work like in economics because of my background. I’ve never been exposed to much art until last year.

Eunice: Really, hello me. I have brought you to plays and shows before, haha.

Wesley: haha true, but I haven’t like gone out of my way to connect to artists before to collaborate with them. It’s funny because as soon as I tried making stuff for myself, the people around me started to gravitate towards me. I have a couple of friends that I didn’t know were artistic until I showed them my work and asked them what they think. My friend Marc who is a singer, and I didn’t realize that, and through him, I was able to connect with other artists in Edmonton.

Eunice: I find that my friends who are not in the art world sometimes don’t want to always talk about my projects because there is still something I am doing, and I don’t want to overwhelm them. This is the life I chose, and I find that too that some of my friends go to me and say oh hey I did this piece, what do you think? They go to me because I am that artist’s friend they know.

Wesley: You are that artists’ friend I know haha, when other people see that one of their close friends are into similar things they become more confident showing that side of themselves. I was lucky with how I started because I have some amazing people reach out to me, so I am grateful for that. I was reluctant to say yes because I didn’t have much experience, and I felt nervous about what they expected.

Eunice: So you kind of felt imposter syndrome

Wesley: Every day since I started, I would get anxious when other people would ask me for advice or techniques. However, how I got over that was by being honest and honest with myself and that I won’t always feel completely satisfied with my work.I didn’t feel like my skill then could match with my vision now.

Eunice: do you have projects on the bench waiting to be created?

Wesley: Yes, I do! Here are the categories; Films, Interviews and BIG Fucking dreams.

What is your process like?

Wesley: The creative process for me starts with asking them what their vision is? And secondly, figure out their style. Sometimes they can’t articulate what it is exactly so I ask about their favourite music, artists and why? What inspired them and their objective/message. I get to know them, and then from that, I build a storyboard. Or we wing it, and if an artist has many ideas, the best way to try them is by doing it. For personal projects, I write personal essays and make storyboards from it.

How has it been like following your passion versus your degree?

Wesley: It has been pretty tricky because you have spent five years getting your degree racking up all the debts. Student debt is a national problem; it is a burden for everyone finishing university. And the creative lifestyle is not the paved path for everyone. And also expectations of myself because I am entering a different territory here. I sometimes think that I could regress to my degree to pay for the baseline of my needs, or I could go full on to I would say my passion. I am taking into account the expectations of my parents as well. So they have been very supportive, but they think it is just a hobby like a phase that is going to pass, but I know that is not the case.

How has Covid-19 impacted you?

Wesley: Am I a horrible person by saying it has been a good time. COVID has given me time to work on my passion. Right after graduating from college now, I have the time to do something that I have never done before.

Wesley has many awesome photos and films that he has worked and is up on his socials. So go check them out and business inquiries are welcomed.

Hi! We are open for more emerging artists to come forward who would like to be featured on the blog. If you are interested contact us today!