Diego Huerta: Photographing the World, Living the Stories
Diego Huerta writes stories with a camera.
“To tell a story you have to live the story,” explains Diego. “You have to be in front of it, able to feel it, smell it. You have to find that universal language that does not need the word, that just by seeing the image the person understands what you were seeing and feeling at that precise moment. There are stories that are in front of you, but there are others where you have to travel long roads, cross rivers and mountains to reach them, and discover new stories along the way.”
To Be A Nomad
Finding stories has inspired Diego’s wanderlust.
Early in his career, commercial demands required short trips, but not ones that were particularly exciting. “It was not until I began to develop my personal projects that I found what I wanted in my life, to be a nomad,” he says. “I am always looking for new places to meet, but I have a couple of secret places where I return again and again, they are places in the middle of the desert where I feel at peace, where I can think clearly and where Fraile – my dog – can run freely.”
A Thousand Adventures
Diego travels in the style he always dreamed of.
“Since I was a child I dreamed of having a Red Jeep Wrangler, I dreamed of traveling and having adventures. For a long time it seemed an impossible dream, until one day, after working hard for many years, I was able to reach it. Now I have a Red Jeep Wrangler, with a RocketBox Pro 11 and SkyRise rooftop tent on top, and I travel all the time and have lived a thousand adventures.”
The SkyRise: “My Second Home”
Wanderlust is lovely, but even nomads need a place to call home.
“It’s always a big issue when I travel to plan where I’m going to sleep. My trips can last a couple of months and thinking about paying for hotels makes my projects difficult because I try to make the most of my resources,” he says. “My SkyRise has become my second home. I can sleep in the middle of the desert, in the forest, in a parking lot of a gas station, or on the side of the road. In minutes I can put it together and rest fully. It makes me feel safe and comfortable, and it’s been a great investment, as I was able to save a lot of money by not paying for hotels.”
DIEGO’S TIPS
- Taking Better Photos With Your Phone – If you want to quickly improve your photography do something very simple, change the angle. Normally when people they use their phones to take a picture they stand up. Instead, try kneeling down. You will change the composition of the photograph instantly and you can begin to see the world in a different way.
- Becoming A Pro – Practice. Practice. Practice. The only way to advance and improve your photography is to practice constantly, experiment, and above all, and most importantly, read your camera’s manual.
- Packing Smart – When I travel, the most important thing is my photo equipment. My Jeep Wrangler is a compact vehicle, so the interior space will always be an inconvenience. I found the RocketBox Pro 11 to be the perfect solution for me. It can take part of my personal luggage, plus a c-stand, lighting stand, camp gear, and softboxes.
Diego Huerta is part of the Yakima RackPack, a group of inspiring adventurers following incredible passions, rolling up serious mileage, and hauling a ton of gear.
He takes over our Instagram from May 14 – 21.
