Alex Garcia

alexandergarcia.com

What reality show would you invent?

I’d be interested in putting rugged individualists from first-world countries into collaborative-based third-world economies like Cuba and see if they would succeed as much as they think they would. I’m guessing we’d see an increase in their compassion for the struggles of people around the globe.

What was one of the most interesting projects you’ve worked on?

A milk company wanted to promote how healthy their free-range cows were, so we strapped pedometers on them and created a mock competition – something similar to the Puppy Bowl meets the dairy farm. We had cameras everywhere. I brought a lot of ideas to the motion project. The whole thing was wild and earned attention in AdAge. I had to throw out my smelly shoes when I was done….

Can you remember the first time you got paid to take a photogrpah?

I was the photo editor of my college yearbook at Northwestern University, so I was paid to take photographs and manage other photographers. It was a great first learning experience all around, from meeting creative challenges and deadlines to learning how to lead.

If you weren’t a photographer, what would you do?

For sure, cartoonist. I have a webcomic but just don’t have enough time to work on it. It’s based on my past experiences in journalism. I like to bring humor into most situations. But it’s all about timing.

What were you like as a 10 year old?

I was a pretty sensitive kid who liked to understand people. My close brother was going through a cancer struggle, so I was heightened to the reality that people are going through a whole lot more than you realize.

When you need it, what inspires you?

Faith honestly. At the end of the day, it helps me to look up and not sideways. Comedians too, I appreciate a well-crafted and efficient joke and those who deliver it effortlessly. And the bubble gum heroism in Marvel movies is always a renewable resource of inspiration.

How do you get your news?

NYT, WSJ, Google News, ChiTrib, Block Club Chicago. I’ve done a fair amount of marketing in motion and still for news organizations in Chicago. It’s ironic that my first full-page photo in the NYT, after so many years in photojournalism, was actually an ad for a non-profit.

What might surprise people about you?

When I was a kid, I liked the fun copywriting on pie posters at our local Baker’s Square so much that I asked the staff if I could collect them. So every Tuesday, they set them aside for me instead of throwing them away. Literally I was collecting punch lines as a youngster.

What is your dream assignment?

I’m used to finding the positive aspects of any project, but if you say the words, “We want you to tell the story of…” I will actually purr.

What celebrity (actor, writer, musician) would you most want to have dinner with?

I would not object to having dinner with filmmaker Christopher Nolan. Inception is one of my all-time favorite films.