In 2010, Jerick Sanchez, who is best known for his portraiture work, closed his memorable first gig. It was a pre-debut shoot, one that he says comes with a “funny story.”

“At that time, there were no [ride-hailing apps]. So I rode a bus with my camera, lights, everything,” he recounts. “After [the shoot], it was already nighttime and there was no bus. The place [I was in] was a bit sketchy, and I was really scared. So the money I earned from the shoot, I hid it under my shoes.” The photographer’s reasoning? “If I got [held up], they wouldn’t be able to get any money from me.”

That first gig became a turning point for Sanchez, who says the experience “challenged [him] to grow as a photographer,” so he can create better options for the jobs he takes on.

Today, Sanchez’s work has been published on covers and editorials across local and international titles (like these Allure Philippines beauty shoots with Miss Universe Asia 2024 Chelsea Manalo and morena advocates and icons), and he has shot a number of campaigns, including one with best-selling P-pop group SB19. 

In this Allure Philippines exclusive, the image-maker shares what it takes to build lasting tenure in an industry that’s quick to churn both content and talent.

How did you start out in photography?

It started with family photos, trying the camera out during our trips. I was just pointing and shooting. In college, I was a broadcasting major, and we did basic photography. That’s my [formal] background. That’s it. I’m self-taught for fashion and portrait photography.

What misconceptions do people have about your work?

One of the misconceptions about being a photographer is sometimes people think that you just click [on] the camera. It’s not like that. It’s a process. You really need to connect with your subject, with the art director, the makeup artist, the stylist—everyone in the shoot. This is how you can achieve a certain goal or an image. 

Sometimes, there are also instances when all of the credit goes to the photographer. But it’s just the image [that’s] from the photographer. At the end of the day, it’s a group effort.

Who are some of the people you love working with?

Most of my clients are celebrity moms, which I’m very happy [with] because they’re motherly, they’re very accommodating, and we’re very close. Chesca Garcia and Team Kramer are some of the people I love working with. I also love working with Solenn Heusaff, [because of] how creative she is. She’s inspiring to shoot. I love working with Beauty Gonzalez. She’s very image-driven and has a very good work ethic. 

I love working with different art directors. Because sometimes, my work is pushed to be better. If you’re gonna be pushing through [in] this industry, you really need to surround yourself with people who are very creative; people who are very accommodating and who are very kind to share their knowledge also.

Is there a particular moment when you felt like you’ve “made it”?

How do I say this? I’m okay that most people don’t know me. I prefer that there’s just a small group [who] know me. I’d rather work with people [who] really know my work. I haven’t made it [as] a household name yet. I’m more of a niche photographer. 

I’m also a professor of photography. So I’m happy when I’m teaching my kids or students, especially those who are very interested in what I do. I’m really happy when some of my students do well in this industry. I want to continue with photography so I can somehow inspire [the] young ones.

For anyone new coming into this industry, what’s your advice on how they can set themselves apart?

It’s a hard career. There are a lot of photographers. So you really need to step up as a photographer and show editors, viewers, or whoever is looking at your photos that you have a voice. Because at the end of the day, everything has been done. 

It’s [also] a matter of having good connections with people, and [having] a good attitude toward other people. Be kind to the people [who] you will be working with. That’s very important, because this industry is very small.

Frequently Asked Questions

Jerick Sanchez is a Filipino portrait and fashion photographer whose work has appeared on covers and editorials for local and international titles, including Allure Philippines. He is self-taught in fashion and portrait photography, with a broadcasting background, and also teaches photography at the collegiate level.

Sanchez says many people assume photography is a solo act — that credit belongs entirely to the person behind the camera. In reality, he argues, a successful shoot is a group effort: the art director, makeup artist, and stylist all contribute to the final image, and real results come from genuine collaboration.

Sanchez defines success not by fame but by depth of recognition — preferring a small, informed audience who knows his work over mainstream name recognition. He also measures success through teaching: seeing former students thrive in the industry is, for him, a meaningful benchmark of impact.

He emphasizes two things: developing a distinct visual voice, since the market is saturated and “everything has been done,” and building genuine relationships with people across the industry. Attitude, he says, is as important as technical skill — the industry is small, and reputation travels.

According to Sanchez, collaboration is the mechanism through which strong images are actually made. Connecting with the subject, aligning with the art director, and working alongside hair and makeup professionals all shape the outcome. Surrounding yourself with creative, generous collaborators, he says, is what pushes a photographer’s work forward over time.

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