Categories
Reflections

Photographer masters audio, thanks to NPR Next Gen Radio

When the NPR Next Gen program was first introduced to me, I was a bit apprehensive.

I had little to no audio experience and felt that my writing could use some work, but I applied on the idea of working alongside a mentor. I liked the thought of a week-long project focusing on a subject in many different media.

From the start of the week, I felt encouraged by the Next Gen staff to pursue my ideas, but they always did an excellent job of pushing the story beyond the surface level. In the past, I had never worked on one particular story for more than a few days, so this program showed me what it takes to put together a whole piece that I am proud of.

Coming from a photography background, I always appreciated multimedia stories, but had not taken the time to work with audio. I was nervous at first, but with practice, I slowly became more comfortable with the equipment. Once going out to conduct the audio interview, I realized it was just another way to tell the story of our subject, Orlando Olarte.

My mentor, Gabriela Saldivia, worked with me to improve a lot of different skills, but more specifically, my interviewing habits. At times our subject did not answer the question during the first attempt, but Gabriela helped me rephrase the question in a way that allowed for a fresh response from our subject.

In the past I struggled to convey the true essence of the subject, however with this project I feel the audience gets a great representation of Orlando Olarte. The combination of audio, photography, writing and illustration makes a complete package that provides an insightful look into the life of our subject.

The power of storytelling has always inspired me to get out and meet people, and now with another skill in my bag, I have the ability to tell a comprehensive story.

Categories
Stories

How new experiences led a Peruvian globetrotter to the San Fernando Valley

Peruvian immigrant Orlando Olarte talks about finding success in the San Fernando Valley.

Six days a week, Orlando Olarte drives his 2006 PT Cruiser less than a half mile to his insurance office in the San Fernando Valley.


Orlando Olarte, 78, with his 2006 PT Cruiser on Jan. 7 2020. Olarte expressed the importance of having a car in Los Angeles, “without cars you are nothing,” he said. (Photo by Logan Bik)

Wearing his infamous fedora, the 78-year-old gets to his small, two desk office at 9 a.m. and works until 7 p.m.

A self-made man, Olarte immigrated to the United States in the late 70s. He runs a successful insurance business now, but this was not something Olarte could have envisioned for himself in high school. 

“The only problem in my country [was] you know, unemployment,” Olarte said. “It’s very hard to find a job. When I finished my high school, I was thinking to go into engineering but gosh, it was impossible. I went to the test and everything, but who’s going to support me? So I had to do something.”

Along with high unemployment in Peru, financial pressure from Olarte’s family forced him to pursue a stable job that wasn’t necessarily his dream.

After working for the police force for a few years, he became a land surveyor. Starting in the Amazon jungle, he prepared land for oil extraction.

“Working in the jungle for the oil exploration was very special work, because you have to go to the wild forest, there’s no people in there, totally wild,” Olarte said. His work took him to far-flung places like the island of Malta and the Sahara desert.

In between contracts, he decided to take some time to visit his family in California. Olarte’s sister, a real estate agent, encouraged him to buy a home in Los Angeles.   

“She said ‘don’t be stupid, you know for investment.’” Olarte recalled. “So, you know, we buy the house that we are [in] right now.” 

Olarte rented out the home while he lived abroad. After one work assignment in the world’s largest desert, Olarte received a year of vacation. He decided to spend his time in California, near his family.

The world traveler had many new experiences in the United States.

“My first pizza was here. In Peru there was nothing, in those times. And then it comes and I mean, it was good. It was delicious. I enjoyed it. With a soda!”

Orlando Olarte

This new lifestyle inspired Olarte to work towards citizenship, with the support of his employer. 

“Luckily, later on for me, it came so easy. I mean so easy, I didn’t have to do nothing,” Olarte said.


The Peruvian immigrant came to the United States in 1977, where — after a long career as a land surveyor — he opened an insurance company, World One Insurance Agency. (Photo by Logan Bik)

Leaving the oil company, Olarte decided to try something new, which led to working in the insurance industry. He later opened his own company, World One Insurance Agency, where he mostly has Spanish speaking customers. 

“My business is insurance, especially auto, home,” Olarte said. “That’s what I do and I enjoy it.” 

After living in America for over 40 years, Olarte said there are things he misses about Peru.

“I would like to be living close to the ocean,” Olarte said. “Because I love seafood. Especially fish and I am not eating fresh fish, for I don’t know. I miss it a lot.”

But the desire to travel and see different parts of the world is still there for Olarte. “I’d rather go to places that I’ve never been, that’s my thinking.”

He admits he’s surprised by how his life turned out. “I am not a businessman, honestly,” Olarte said. “You know there was something there, take it.”

The ideal of hard work started at a young age for Olarte, and has continued to follow him today.  

“Well, I am not thinking of retiring because, you know, what will I do?” Olarte said. “When you get older, going home is doing nothing and you get older faster. That’s my idea. I’m not going to be home, forget it. Just to eat and sleep.”