Alright – so today we’ve got the honor of introducing you to Pati Barreto. We think you’ll enjoy our conversation, we’ve shared it below.

Pati, thanks for joining us, excited to have you contributing your stories and insights. What’s one of the most important lessons you learned in school?

I was a very shy and introvert kid in school. Since I remember, my biggest obstacle was to reach out to teachers, asking questions. I scared of being judged and especially to give the incorrect answer.
My lesson learned hasn’t been from when I was in school, but mostly the tips and tricks my teachers always gave me and I never took them.
I’ve been a photographer for 20 years and my journey started when I moved to Miami for the first time. I joined Miami Ad School and I was the youngest student on Campus and in the Photo Design program (known today as Photography and Video).
I was fresh out of high school and I finally found myself in an environment I felt comfortable.
I’ve always been an artist and my parents always stimulated my capacity in creating, drawing, painting etc.

In 2004, I’ve never felt more at home as I was in Miami during my entire Photo program.
I’ve learned, experienced and I was scared. It was finally a “good” scared and I started getting out of my shell.

Since I was so “green” as a creative compared to all the other students – most of them already had their Bachelor’s Degree and were getting their portfolio together – I only knew the information given to me. Which meant, that I didn’t have yet arrived at a level to ask all the questions to make me a better creative.

Today, as a Photography Teacher at Miami AD School (MAD School), I insist on my students to research, find things that they like, new challenges, get references, new objectives and what makes them continue on their journey that they are.

I feel that if I went back in time, I would take so much more advantage of the things and resources I had available at then time than what I actually did.

As always, we appreciate you sharing your insights and we’ve got a few more questions for you, but before we get to all of that can you take a minute to introduce yourself and give our readers some of your back background and context?

For about 20 years, I’ve been able to dedicate my life to my passion. Photography has given me a new world and a horizon I can reach and create.
I started as the youngest photo student at the MAD School, found friends that had similar and completely different visions than me – yet artists – and I felt in place.
Photography came as a breath of fresh air and I felt I finally belonged. From Advertising, to Documentary, Product Food and Architecture Photography, I felt the opportunities were endless.

During my years in college, I started experiencing more with studio, playing with lights, expanding things to Photoshop and I felt the Advertising world was surreal – literally – and I loved it.

While I had the opportunity to work at Southern Living magazine in 2010, things shifted a little bit and another portal opened up. This time, I worked with amazing photographers and stylists in a world of sets and natural light.
From food to decor, environmental portraits and still life, the artistic side of photography bloomed for me.

For the past 5 years, my knowledge in lighting and eagerness to try new things has been my strongest feature.
I’ve been working with amazing mentors that believe in my potential and give me green light for anything new.

Recently I’ve been working directly with Creative Directors, and that has been an incredible journey for my commercial career. We develop cohesive campaigns, relevant connections between various products and shoots and everything comes together yet with that creative and engaging feature that advertising carries with it.
I’m mostly proud of being able to expand and share those experiences with the new students I have a the MAD School.

Let’s talk about resilience next – do you have a story you can share with us?

I believe every artist has to reinvent themselves after a major event happens.

Besides the fact that we live in an era that information and technology upgrades faster than evolution, we also have our personal moments that mark a new chapter in our lives.

My biggest push was 5 years ago. I Decided to move from Brazil back to United States. I was clear that photography didn’t have the recognition there and I was having a difficult time in my personal life.
Making the decision to move back was relieving.

In 2019, I was determined to start my career in Food Photography. The biggest issue was: I didn’t have social friends, a networking group neither a recent educational structure to rely on. All my creative friends that I met were successfully following their paths somewhere else after 13 years from the MAD School Program.
Starting from scratch is tough, though having the Golden Ticket to build things my own way says it all.

I reached out to food photographers in the region that I could shadow, and talk and exchange that knowledge.

That’s when I met my mentor. Libby Volgyes has been my guide in the industry since then.
She gave me guidelines, introduced me to some of my current clients, has given me opportunities to explore and expand.

COVID struck us really hard, as the main focus of her business was restaurants, resorts and any food establishment.
My adaptive move from the was to focus on private sessions, focusing on families, maternity shoots and anything I could get photos of. During 2020, networking has become the real challenge and achieving new clients was even harder.

During 2021, I came across a social group that gave me a new direction.
I’ve joined Brickell Women and it really set a new chapter for my career. The group founded by Nichole Walz consists of amazing women, who are exceptional professionals, mothers, friends. I can’t deny that I carry this group very close to my heart.
Being part of Brickell Women unlocked a networking platform to me that helped me improve a lot of my personal and communication skills.

If you would’ve asked me 5 years ago, where do I see myself, I believe I wouldn’t answer that I would be this far in my career and personal life.

Can you open up about how you funded your business?

One of the greatest things I had the chance to do is to be part of the Goldman Sachs 10k Small Business program.
It’s a 12 week program where they go over each section of your business to see how you can improve it, in all possible tangents.
I was recommended by Nichole to be part of it (as she’s also a true believer in my work and im blessed to have her as a friend).
I had zero idea in how to put a business together and I was just my second Golden Ticket to join the amazing group of 24 business owners and learn from them. With insight, planning and the correct structure.
I’m proud to say that this year I founded my own company – Triangl Studio LLC.

As a fresh new business, I have the tools to put together, thrive and invest on my passion.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.patriciabarreto.com
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/patibarreto.foodphotography/
• Linkedin: https://www.instagram.com/patibarreto.foodphotography/