We’re excited to introduce you to the always interesting and insightful Adriana Arguijo Gutierrez. We hope you’ll enjoy our conversation with Adriana below.
Alright, Adriana thanks for taking the time to share your stories and insights with us today. Can you tell us the backstory behind how you came up with the idea?
My immense empathy and observant qualities as a kid made me fascinated with the human condition. Whether it be somber baroque art, surrealist cinema, or 80s synth/new wave, I was (and still am) so captivated by how people from all walks of life cement their existence. I wanted to establish relationships and make something of my own. Naturally, being a photographer meant I could do both — I share my art, and in turn, I’m invited to capture moments in time and meet people I otherwise might not have known. My love for life’s diversity is what started it all.
My younger self never intended to establish a business, but given that I’ve been making photographs and short films ever since I was old enough to hold a camera, it was only a matter of time before my community got to know me and my art. I was 16 years old when I created my brand. After photographing several events at my high school, I realized I needed a place for everyone to view my work, hence my new Facebook page, Instagram profile, and website — all set up and managed by myself since 2016. Getting my start in a small town had its advantages as my first set of clients were either my friends, classmates, or teachers. That didn’t completely rid me of the nerves that came with doing my first few paying shoots, but knowing my clients personally certainly helped me establish a comfortable workflow early on. My priority has always been to make my clients comfortable. I heard so many stories about how uncomfortable picture day was for the students and staff, which made me want to perfect my own client experience.
As I approached my senior year of high school, I started planning for college. It’s hard to believe that I nearly applied to STEM programs thinking I had to go into a traditional career, but I’m grateful for my parents and mentors who supported my decision to go into Media Arts after being accepted into my top school. At the end of the day, I couldn’t picture myself doing anything else. I live and breathe visual arts; It’s in my blood.
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?
I was born in Mexico City, but I’ve lived most of my life in Eastern Massachusetts where I currently serve the majority of my client base. I brand myself as a “portrait & event photographer” which means I pretty much do it all! I’m proud to say that I’ve worked with high school seniors, families of all shapes and sizes, couples, college graduates, business owners, politicians, athletes, and artists. I’ve also covered over 370 events, including weddings, sports, concerts, nightlife, corporate events, galas, and conferences.
Over the years I’ve learned how to approach my job in a laid-back but creative manner. I’m always looking for ways to break the mold while embracing the qualities that make my work timeless. I let my clients express themselves, try out any ideas we have in mind, and naturally fall into the prompts I give. I know how to create an easy-going environment where my clients don’t feel like they have to explain themselves. My job isn’t just photographing strangers and going home: I pay attention. I pick up on their body language, their little quirks, and how they speak about the things they’re passionate about. So when we’re ready to start shooting, I take everything I’ve soaked in and I do my very best to translate that essence into a photograph. It’s like muscle memory for me. People from all walks of life come to me because they see themselves in my work — both creatively and demographically. I’m able to collaborate with a wide range of people because I understand the nuances of being photographed as someone who’s underrepresented or misunderstood. I understand that a queer person doesn’t want a cis/hetero-normative representation of themselves, and I understand the importance of preserving people’s true-to-life skin tones in the way I both shoot and edit.
Photography can shape how we view ourselves and how we move through the world, so I always keep this in mind when photographing anyone. The most rewarding part of my job is instilling confidence and joy in others, without a doubt.
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?
It’s not talked about enough, but I think to be a successful photographer or visual artist, you must first connect with yourself. I’ve had so many personal breakthroughs in the last five years — partly due to being a young adult, but also because the start of the pandemic forced me to acknowledge the unknown. None of us knew what the near or distant future would look like, and that forced me to look within to a degree I hadn’t before. Asking myself the tough questions (why I am the way that I am, what I want to accomplish in life, and how I can treat others and myself with more patience) allowed me to expand my creative processes. What started as a passion for taking pretty photos turned into a real devotion to thinking outside the box and weaving meaning into everything I make. Anyone can take a picture that is pleasing to the eye, but the real challenge is crafting something that makes people feel.
Looking back, are there any resources you wish you knew about earlier in your creative journey?
Maybe not exactly a resource, but it certainly helped me approach my shoots in a new way! I wish I had known to reference cinematography earlier in my journey. I’ve always been a huge lover of cinema. In my free time, I write analyses of whatever films I’m watching, and I’d say at least 50% of what I write is about camera work or mise en scène (the arrangement of actors or other elements in a scene). It’s not enough that my camera shoots at 30+ megapixels or that my lens can drop to f/1.2 (although those specs are helpful). Any photo I take with my best gear under decent lighting will look okay, but what matters more is being able to compose a scene in a way that enhances whatever message I want to tell about my subject. That is why I love experimenting with composition, low vs. high angles, and lens filters! They help me translate my point of view into something more tangible.
I also wish I had taken inspiration from traditional film stocks earlier! My favorites — Kodak Portra 400, Ektar 100, Fuji Pro400h, and T-Max P3200 — are quite true to life and gentle on skin tones, but can also be bold and vibrant with the right amount of contrast. That’s exactly what I go for in my digital photography to keep it timeless yet unique to me.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.adrianaarguijophotography.com/
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/adrianaarguijophotography/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/adrianaarguijophotography
- Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/adrianaarguijogutierrez
- Twitter: https://x.com/arguijo_adriana
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@adrianaarguijogutierrez
Image Credits
Image Credit for “20240627-Branding-Portraits-Adriana-Arguijo-Photography-CR01” → Kayla Simon Photos