I'M HERNAN

I was born and raised in the colorful city of Caracas, Venezuela, the year considered the birth of Rock & Roll. 19 years later I earned a College degree in advertising, although my original plan was to study filmmaking, not available there at the time. I applied for a scholarship and managed to send myself to the U.K. to study filmmaking at the London Film School, in the gorgeous neighborhood of Covent Garden. There I learned with accomplished artists, who taught me filmmaking, professionalism, respect for the craft, and teamwork.

Once back in the Valley of Santiago de León de Caracas, rapidly became one of most sought after and recognized cinematographers in Venezuela, started by photographing short films which earned awards, continued to grow into Feature Films, and then to the commercial world that brought me a wider market through South, Central & North America. Eventually, I moved to New York City, where I have been based since 1995. My name is Hernán Toro, and I am a Director of Photography.

Through my Narrative film career I have shot over 20 feature films most notably "Mob Town," "3 Noches,” "First We Take Brooklyn,” "The Mortal Instruments: City of Bones.” Recently “Spiked,” “Hamlet/Horatio,” “I Love Us.” On the commercial side, nearly 900 TV spots, several music videos, shorts, and documentaries. In the last few years, between films, I dedicate my time to teach Cinematography to newer generations of filmmakers at the New York Film Academy.

I have had the honor and pleasure of photographing great talented actors, and in wonderful locations, including: Liam Neeson, Harvey Keitel, Ashley Green, Michael Rapaport, David Arquette, Danny A. Abeckaser, Jamie-Lynn Sigler, Robert Davi, Aidan Quinn, Jennifer Esposito, Katie Cassidy, James Madio, P.J. Byrne... And, have shot for brands like: Apple, Amstel, BellSouth, Camay, Claro, Coca-Cola, Coppertone, DisneyWorld, Ford, Garnier, Heinz, Helene Curtis, Kraft, Lipton, L’Oreal, Mastercard, Nestle, Pantene, Pepsi, Pert Plus, Presidente, Rolex, 7 up, Sony, Toyota, Wrangler..., in places like Patagonia, The Amazon, The Andes, lots of Island thru The Caribbean, Canada, Texas, NYC, LA, New England, Florida, Mexico, Central/South America...

I continue to apply my eye, knowledge, and passion to cinematography. I am also a still photographer, which is what brought me here. I have had works exhibited in over a dozen collective photographic exhibitions in Museums and Galleries, thousands of photos published in fashion magazines, catalogs, and in three architectural books. Now, I want to share with you some of my personal Decorative Art work, in this Gallery.