João Catarino, a renowned social media creator from Cabo Verde, has successfully transformed his passion into a full-time profession. With a significant following of around 47,000, Catarino has built a recognized presence on social media platforms through a unique blend of photography, fashion, beauty, style, and humor. His journey began about ten years ago when digital content formats were vastly different from what they are today.

Catarino's relationship with social media predates the popularization of short videos. Initially, photography was his primary medium for sharing moments and showcasing his style. After Facebook, he joined Instagram, where he reconnected with part of the community that already followed his work. Over the years, he has adapted his communication style to the changing social media landscape without abandoning photography, which remains one of his favorite areas.

The creator's content now combines fashion, beauty, style, and humor, allowing him to explore different forms of expression. A photograph can highlight a visual, while a story shows a moment from daily life, and a video enables him to work on the more playful side of his personality. With a critical eye towards his work, Catarino admits to revising his content multiple times before publishing, ensuring that each post meets his standards.

The COVID-19 pandemic marked a significant turning point in Catarino's career, as it did for many professionals. With the decline in work with brands and the suspension of many projects, Catarino found new ways to stay active on social media. He began sharing tips on taking photographs at home, adapting his content to the limitations imposed by the pandemic. This initiative helped him maintain a connection with his followers and coincided with a phase of growth in his digital presence.

Catarino's family also plays an important role in his content, particularly in more spontaneous and relaxed moments. His sister, who works in the content creation field, often accompanies him in this universe, and they share experiences related to video recording and production. His mother and grandmother also feature in some content, mainly in family-oriented and spontaneous moments.

Despite the evolution of platforms, Catarino continues to prefer photography and primarily uses Instagram, where he built most of his community. He values stories for allowing immediate contact with his followers, enabling him to show daily moments, reactions, and situations that may not fit into a more polished post. In video production, Catarino participates in both recording and editing, enjoying the rapid editing process that allows him to transform an initial idea into shareable content.

Catarino's digital identity is not confined to a single area; while fashion and style are significant, humor has become an essential tool for communicating with his followers. His career demonstrates how digital content creation has become a professional activity, evolving from shared photographs on social media to a full-time career that accompanies platform transformations and content consumption habits.

Key points

  • João Catarino has built a community of 47,000 followers on social media.
  • The COVID-19 pandemic was a turning point in Catarino's career, leading him to find new ways to stay active on social media.
  • Catarino's content combines fashion, beauty, style, and humor, allowing him to explore different forms of expression.

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SaharaWire Newsroom
SaharaWire

Reporting for SaharaWire from the Nairobi bureau.