4 years ago photographer Rafael Burato started to take some pictures around his city in France with a Nikon D90s. First he did it just for fun, but then started to work more seriously. At that time he created his first Flickr account to show the best of his work. He didn't worked with models at that time. Then his nephew, which is a young photographer, came to France and initiated Rafael’s decision to buy a Nikon D7100. After one month shooting with it, Rafael decided to create invititations in his university, |
calling female models for build a portfolio for free through a photo test. After his second shoot he started to go full frame and had the opportunity to sell his camera and buy a D700.
His wife, who at that time was his girlfriend, became his main model and the best photos were taken with her posing.
Today Rafael is working as a photographer for almost two years and he’s creating a freelance company with his wife, who started taken photographs with him for pro photoshoots. Rafael mainly photographs people – portraits, candids and street and he always shoots with his wife as main or second photographer.
His wife, who at that time was his girlfriend, became his main model and the best photos were taken with her posing.
Today Rafael is working as a photographer for almost two years and he’s creating a freelance company with his wife, who started taken photographs with him for pro photoshoots. Rafael mainly photographs people – portraits, candids and street and he always shoots with his wife as main or second photographer.
For three years he’s been using Nikon gear. First a Nikon D90s, then a Nikon D7100 and most recenty a Nikon D700 with prime lenses such as the Nikon 85mm f/1.4G and Nikon 25mm f/1.4G. He loves the Nikon D700 and those two lenses, but it’s a heavy set up. Sometimes he also adds a Nikon 105mm f/2.5 AI in the bag. A few months ago Rafael bought a Fujifilm X-E2 to try to lighten his camera bag. More than that he has discovered a |
great little camera with awesome image quality. In addition to that he at that time had only one lens, the Fujifilm 35mm f/1.4/R despite in most peoples’ heads a pro photographer has to carry a ton of gear and has to have big cameras to look real.
To prove to himself, he could do great work with a smaller camera, He decided to shoot an entire series called “Taipei streets” with the Fujifilm X-E2 and the Fujifilm 35mm f/1.4. Nothing else. He wanted to keep it simple and intimate. The Nikon D700 wouldn’t have been a good fit for the series. Too big, too noisy, too loud.
After seeing the results and the great feedback from everyone, Rafael told himself to use the Fuji X-E2 for a paid job, but took the Nikon D700 along with him too just to reassure himself. It worked great and more than that, nobody noticed, he was the “official photographer”. That was it. He used the Fuji for 90% of his pictures sicne then. Most of the time, the Nikon D700 slept in his bag. Then he bought a second lens, the Fujifilm 18mm f/2. He needed a wide angle lens, and this one is just awesome. Sharp and fast.
After seeing the results and the great feedback from everyone, Rafael told himself to use the Fuji X-E2 for a paid job, but took the Nikon D700 along with him too just to reassure himself. It worked great and more than that, nobody noticed, he was the “official photographer”. That was it. He used the Fuji for 90% of his pictures sicne then. Most of the time, the Nikon D700 slept in his bag. Then he bought a second lens, the Fujifilm 18mm f/2. He needed a wide angle lens, and this one is just awesome. Sharp and fast.
Today Rafael is using a Fujifilm X-T1 with 3 prime lenses. He sold the Fujifilm X-E2 and all the Nikon gear. It was a big decision to make, but he did it and doesn’t regret it for one second. Some people told him, it was nuts, but he doesn’t care. He knew, he was right. That was his choice. The Fujifilm X-T1 works great. He shot paid jobs in the last 4 months. It’s fast, accurate and light and ... his camera bag now weighs a quarter of what it did before. Rafael’s wife has a Nikon D7000, but she will get a X-T1 |
and she is selling her Nikon gear as well. Other than a new X-T1 they will add to their gear list a Fuji X100T.
They always shoot together and bring music into their shoots. This creates a special atmosphere and their rule number one during their work is: „have fun or don't do it.“
Rafael and his wife Mei are based in Taipei (TW) and Bordeaux (FR).
They always shoot together and bring music into their shoots. This creates a special atmosphere and their rule number one during their work is: „have fun or don't do it.“
Rafael and his wife Mei are based in Taipei (TW) and Bordeaux (FR).