image maker & artistic visionary, Let's make something amazing! Gerardo “Geo” Santiago is a freelance photographer and creative consultant currently based in Cologne, Germany, from San Francisco, California. With nearly 20 years of experience in the creative industry, he specializes in commercial photography as well as high-end photo editing and retouching. He is known for being customer-focused and results-oriented. Santiago earned his Master of Fine Arts in Photography in San Francisco, California. He worked with notable companies such as Warner Bros. Entertainment, Sony Pictures, Levi Strauss & Co., Marriott Hotels, ZDF, ARD 1, and Fabiola GmbH, as well as small businesses in both the USA and Europe. Additionally, he was a recipient of the Top 100 Photography Award at Photokina 2018 in Germany. Santiago spearheads The Lookbook Magazine and the Photowalk Challenge. Furthermore, he served as a volunteer mentor for Veterati, a mentorship platform for U.S. service members and veterans.…

Gerardo Santiago

image maker & artistic visionary, Let's make something amazing! Gerardo “Geo” Santiago is a freelance photographer and creative consultant currently based in Cologne, Germany, from San Francisco, California. With nearly 20 years of experience in the creative industry, he specializes in commercial photography as well as high-end photo editing and retouching. He is known for being customer-focused and results-oriented. Santiago earned his Master of Fine Arts in Photography in San Francisco, California. He worked with notable companies such as Warner Bros. Entertainment, Sony Pictures, Levi Strauss & Co., Marriott Hotels, ZDF, ARD 1, and Fabiola GmbH, as well as small businesses in both the USA and Europe. Additionally, he was a recipient of the Top 100 Photography Award at Photokina 2018 in Germany. Santiago spearheads The Lookbook Magazine and the Photowalk Challenge. Furthermore, he served as a volunteer mentor for Veterati, a mentorship platform for U.S. service members and veterans.…

Available to hire

image maker & artistic visionary, Let’s make something amazing!

Gerardo “Geo” Santiago is a freelance photographer and creative consultant currently based in Cologne, Germany, from San Francisco, California. With nearly 20 years of experience in the creative industry, he specializes in commercial photography as well as high-end photo editing and retouching. He is known for being customer-focused and results-oriented.

Santiago earned his Master of Fine Arts in Photography in San Francisco, California. He worked with notable companies such as Warner Bros. Entertainment, Sony Pictures, Levi Strauss & Co., Marriott Hotels, ZDF, ARD 1, and Fabiola GmbH, as well as small businesses in both the USA and Europe. Additionally, he was a recipient of the Top 100 Photography Award at Photokina 2018 in Germany. Santiago spearheads The Lookbook Magazine and the Photowalk Challenge.

Furthermore, he served as a volunteer mentor for Veterati, a mentorship platform for U.S. service members and veterans.

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Skills

Experience Level

Language

English
Fluent
Tagalog
Fluent
German
Advanced

Work Experience

Freelance Photographer at Gerardo Santiago Photography Creative Services
May 1, 2019 - Present
Conceptualized, photographed, and edited photos for television shows, productions, events, marketing, advertisements, businesses and private entities; managed creative projects independently and in teams; conducted pre-production procedures including mood boards, storyboards, disposition, key visuals, corporate design, location/model scouting, and production management; served as photo editor, art director, and photo producer; post-produced and retouched images; handled licensing, usage rights, and related legal documentation.
Creative & Multimedia Artist at Broken Perception
March 1, 2006 - Present
Conceptualized and produced creative projects across advertising, television, and promotional materials; roles included art director and producer; retouching, photo manipulation, and post-production; multimedia design including graphic and motion art; new media work with AI, AR, and VR; social media/content creation and management; writer and layout design; editor-in-chief for The Lookbook Magazine; art curator and educator; mentorship in photography and career transition.
Aviation Corrosion Control Technician / Aircraft Painter at United States Navy
February 1, 2010 - February 28, 2014
Specialized as an Aviation Corrosion Control Technician and Aircraft Painter; performed organizational-level aircraft maintenance for E-2C/E-2D Hawkeye; deployed aboard USS Carl Vinson (CVN-70) 2010–2012; collateral duties included Training, Tools, Safety, HAZMAT Petty Officer Representative; Fire Fighter Certified and CPR Certified.
Transition and Creative Mentor at Veterati Inc.
April 1, 2021 - December 31, 2024
Volunteer mentor on a mentorship platform helping military personnel transition to civilian life; mentored mentees on planning and pursuing university studies, employment, or entrepreneurship; shared experiences building freelance photography and creative businesses; connected mentees with networks, contacts, and job prospects.

Education

Master of Fine Arts (MFA) in Photography at Academy of Art University, San Francisco, USA
June 1, 2014 - May 1, 2017
▪ Studied in the graduate level of School of Photography majoring Art for Commerce. ▪ GPA: 3.67 (USA) / 1,3 (Germany) / A- or 92% percentile (earned 63 Units). ▪ Developed personal photographic style and learned the fundamental and technical aspects of photography and the arts. Built my portfolio, fine art series, and business model before the completion of the degree.
Bachelor of Science (BS) in Information Technology, Graphics & Multimedia Informatics at International College, Manila, Philippines
May 1, 2005 - December 1, 2008
▪ Studied in the undergraduate level of Information technology department majoring in Graphics and Multimedia. ▪ GPA: 3.65 (USA) / 1,7 (Germany) / B+ or 89% percentile (earned 126 Units US accredited versus 188 units total earned). ▪ Learned computer and technical literacy, and developed my interest in technology, arts, and creativity.

Qualifications

Add your qualifications or awards here.

Industry Experience

Media & Entertainment, Professional Services, Education, Other, Software & Internet, Non-Profit Organization, Travel & Hospitality, Computers & Electronics

Skills

Experience Level