Born and raised in Puerto Rico, I grew up at the beach like most every other island boy. I'm the youngest of 4 brothers, and the one they call "The Photographer".

 

Growing up around artists helped me acquire a better perspective of what I wanted to do in life. So, in 2000 when I graduated from high school, I moved to Fort Lauderdale and went to the local Art Institute where I studied photography. At the time the only way to support myself was working at school as a lab technician. It paid off, as it helped me gain experience in key areas like Photoshop, darkroom, lighting, etc.  It also helped in creating closer relationships with the teachers, whom I assisted with their students; further helping me to practice what I was learning in class.

During my time in college, I won a number of photography contests. Then finally, in the summer of 2004, I graduated with an Associate Degree in Photography with a "Best in Show" portfolio award. Today, I am a "Hall of Famer" at The Art Institute of Fort Lauderdale.

After graduating, I worked as a media and photography assistant for a few months. Later on that year, I decided to move back home to Puerto Rico, where I started working as a photographer.

 

In 2007, I won my first Press Contest with my fashion editorial for "Imagen Magazine", one of the many publications Casiano Communications ran at the time. Time went by and it wasn't too long before my name was at the top among other great local fashion editorial and advertising photographers. Freelance work was booming at the time, and in 2008 I won 2nd place at the "Armando Mandín" photo contest held by the Senate of Puerto Rico.

 

I kept working hard, polishing my skills as a photographer. Then In 2010, a new found love! Cycling! This was a love-at-first-sight type of thing. I felt I had found the other part of me that was missing; something that could keep me physically and mentally in shape. I would train every morning before work. 

 

My passion for cycling grew real fast, and before I knew it I was competing and getting better at it. In 2014 I founded a movement called “#labicicura”  (the bike cure), a new and pioneering group of aficionado and professional cyclists who go on long mountain bike rides, train together, grow together and race together. Soon after, I created a blog for the now growing group where every member could write about motivation, health, bike maintenance and parts; and also upload their photos from their latest ride. We also do fundraisers for cancer patients from time to time, and anything else that keeps us motivated to ride.

 

I am Leonardo Thillet and this is my life.