Rickhardo Terrones: Through the Lens of Freedom

Rickhardo Terrones didn’t grow up dreaming of being a photographer. He didn’t obsess over lenses or get lost in gear reviews. He picked up a camera randomly, without any real plan, and then something just clicked. It was the freedom that drew him in. The ability to create something from nothing. To shoot a moment, edit it, print it, hang it up, and say: I made that. That freedom quickly turned into a passion.

“I liked the freedom of being able to create and make pictures that could be printed up and displayed.”

In the early days, his style leaned toward the "dreamy shots," lit with soft rays that made everything feel ethereal, hazy, a little surreal. That look was part of his visual signature for a while. But as Rickhardo grew behind the lens, so did his eye. He started letting mood and lighting dictate the vibe instead of defaulting to one aesthetic. Now, he’s more fluid. More reactive. He still taps into that dreamy style when it fits, but he’s not limited by it.

If there’s one thing that’s stayed consistent in his work, it’s his attention to the background. Wide shots. Space. Surroundings that speak. For Rickhardo, location isn’t just scenery, it’s part of the story.

“The main theme I always end up returning to is a wide shot of the area I’m in. I always prioritize shooting with a great background.”

A$AP Rocky, Gritty Shoots, and Honest Reactions

When it comes to inspiration, Rickhardo doesn’t hesitate, A$AP Rocky is his guy. It’s not just about the music, it’s the whole package. The visuals, the fashion, the vibe. There’s something about Rocky’s ability to be loud and stylish at the same time that pushed Rickhardo to explore a more bold and flashy direction in his own work. It’s art that demands to be seen, and Rickhardo wants to create images with that same kind of presence.

One shoot that stuck with him on a personal level was a project he did with model Tommy Nigro. The concept? A black suit, worn in an abandoned location. Gritty. Sleek. Raw. The idea had been sitting in his head for months. Finding the right model and location took time, but once everything came together, it hit just right.

“It came out perfect exactly how I envisioned after months and months of waiting. Perfect model, perfect shots, perfect location. Huge shout out to Tommy and Eduardo.”

For Rickhardo, that shoot was more than just pictures, it was a reminder that trusting the vision pays off.

Still New, Still Hungry

Rickhardo's only been in the photography world for about eight months. He’s not pretending to know it all. In fact, he’s soaking up every bit of advice he can get. But if there’s one piece of advice he’d pass on, it’s this:

“Be kind and be respectful and be yourself.”

It’s a mindset that cuts through the noise. No ego, no pressure, just realness. Rickhardo's not chasing clout. He’s chasing improvement. Growth. Reaction. He doesn’t want blind praise. He wants people to say what they really think, even if it’s not all love.

“I want people to like them, I want some people to dislike them, and tell me why.”

Because that’s what keeps him going. That’s what fuels the next project. The next experiment. The next breakthrough.

And to anyone reading this, whether you’re a model, a brand, a stylist, a photographer, or just someone figuring it out, Rickhardo's message is as simple as it is solid:

“Keep making dope shit and don’t stop.”