We’re excited to introduce you to the always interesting and insightful Walter Sosa. We hope you’ll enjoy our conversation with Walter below.
Walter, thanks for joining us, excited to have you contributing your stories and insights. What did your parents do right and how has that impacted you in your life and career?
My parents did everything right. When growing up they allowed me to be myself one hundred percent of the time. They supported all my interests and made sure I had everything necessary to be successful in those things. I am very proud of coming from a family of immigrants. My parents came to this country to give me a better life and I owe everything to them. At 18 they came to a country where everything was foreign to them while at 18 I was blessed to pursue higher education and start a career in photography. Although sometimes they did not understand my choices, especially when it came to deciding to study photography in school, they stood by me. The arts were not something they had ever been formally introduced to and therefore they were scared for me since it was something unknown to them. Now as a senior in college and a couple exhibitions under my belt, they have grown to appreciate art and see the importance of my work. I love them and am so blessed to have them by my side.
Great, appreciate you sharing that with us. Before we ask you to share more of your insights, can you take a moment to introduce yourself and how you got to where you are today to our readers.
My name is Walter Sosa and I am a First-Generation American. My family came to this country from Guatemala and I take lots of pride in that. When it comes to my photo work I have done almost everything. I have dabbled in documentary photography, sports, music, portraiture, and so much more. I am a firm believer that we are all students in this life. My curiosity and will to learn have gotten me to the point where I am in life right now. I love learning as well as teaching. When working I try to make my space as welcoming as possible. I try to build genuine connections with everyone I work with and refrain from seeing people as clients. I love being human. I love uplifting others and this work is very collaborative. Having a healthy, supportive space creates amazing work.
My passion lies in storytelling. I do documentary photography in Guatemala. In this place I consider home, I photograph the beautiful people, culture, and traditions that make me who I am. Growing up, I did not really have any photographic records to identify my family. Sometimes it frustrates me because I feel I am missing a huge part of me. My Guatemala work is important to me because it allows me not only to learn more about myself but also gives future generations a view of what life once was in a place that I hold so close to my heart.
What’s the most rewarding aspect of being a creative in your experience?
I believe the most rewarding part of being an artist is being able to see your growth within yourself. I look back at my old work and laugh at myself for the decisions I used to make. Whether it be with shooting, editing, etc. because I have everything on my social media I can assess constantly where I lack and improve myself. Social media works as an archive for me and is a very useful tool. Looking back at my work from two, or three years back makes me very proud of how far I have come. I can see how I have grown as a photographer as well as how I have grown as a person.
Do you think there is something that non-creatives might struggle to understand about your journey as a creative? Maybe you can shed some light?
As someone in college with no steady job yet, I am just as clueless as the next student ready to graduate and be out in the real world. I work really hard to be successful outside of school. I spend my weekends networking or shooting as much as I can for paid gigs as well as free work. I feel like regardless of what anyone studies your life is never linear when it comes to growth. You may outgrow who you thought you wanted to be in the future and lead a completely different life. As a creative, I believe it is scarier because you really have to advocate for yourself to get jobs. If you are not confident with yourself and your work it is really hard to make it out. First impressions are everything. Being approachable is the first step in having others advocate for you. If you have a positive impact on others you will know because your name will be mentioned in rooms you are not even in. Personally, I have worked really hard to have positive people who value me around me. It is not necessarily people doing the same things I do, essentially it’s the people who will constantly go out of their way to support me. My journey as a creative would not be what it is without the village I have built around myself.
Contact Info:
- Instagram: Waltvswalt