We caught up with the brilliant and insightful Camila Saldarriaga a few weeks ago and have shared our conversation below.

Hi Camila, thanks for joining us today. Do you manage your own social media?

Social media is a tricky thing, I manage it all on my own and at times it can be overwhelming. With every platform there are tips and tricks for growth, and it’s hard to keep up with all the updates. So it doesn’t get too overwhelming I try and block out one day a week to batch create content. The goal is never growth for the sake of numbers but more so for the sake of getting my work out there as much as possible and exposing it to whoever I can. A lot of my network of peers in photography I have met through social channels as well as my network of models to work with for shoots. So making sure I foster a community on my social media platforms is vital to me, so that I can expand my network and expand my opportunities.

Awesome – so before we get into the rest of our questions, can you briefly introduce yourself to our readers.

I am a Cinematographer & Photographer based in Miami, FL. I am constantly working in different mediums including; Film, Fashion and Photography.

I got my start in photography as a teenager working on shoots with my friends and starting to build up my experience working in different scenarios while having fun building up my portfolio. I studied and received a BFA in both Film & Television and Fashion Design at Savannah College of Art & Design. During my time in college I learned more and more about the Film Industry and chose to go the route of being a Cinematographer. I devoted myself to creating stunning visuals to coincide with unique stories. Working on various projects from narratives, to documentaries, commercials or fashion films; never afraid to delve into a new genre. Though working on a variation of genres my passion lies in documentary filmmaking; dedicated to the untold and overlooked stories out there.

Most Cinematographers and Photographers specialize in a niche, but I would consider myself a jack of all trades. It’s always been tough for me to pinpoint an interest and stay with it because I am fascinated by so many fields and I love working on a variation of projects. Now while you may think because I am a jack of all trades, I’m a master of none. But I disagree. As someone who has tested the water in different fields I have challenged myself to learn new skillsets and constantly be growing my abilities with both my cinematography and photography. Thus making me a well rounded film maker and photographer capable of really bringing any vision a client pitches to me to life. I am happiest with a camera in my hand documenting stories and ideas, so why limit myself or box myself into exclusively doing wedding photography or concert photography when I thrive doing photo or video no matter the environment.

For you, what’s the most rewarding aspect of being a creative?

For me one of the most rewarding moments of being an artist is bringing to life a concept I’ve had for awhile. As an artist I have time periods where I am flooded with ideas and others where I am having a creative block. I try my best to write down or create mood boards for my concepts the moment I get them so I can always revisit that idea when I am ready. Sometimes it’s a few days from when I first develop the concept to when I get to work on it and other times its months. That moment I get to bring to life a concept is most rewarding for me, that stage of doing and being in production and seeing your vision become reality never gets old to me.

What’s been the best source of new clients for you?

Networking!!!

Tell your friends, tell your family, tell your coworkers, tell people your business! You never know who they may connect you with. Or you never know what great opportunity you may have unlocked for yourself by sharing with a new individual your business while networking.

My best source of new clients have all been through word of mouth or stemmed from a conversation I made with someone new at en event. Don’t be afraid to go to events in your industry and network. Never see businesses such as your own as a threat but rather a peer you can look to. You may have things you can learn from them and how they manage their business and likewise. Or even better then might send new clientele your way as this clientele may be better suited for what you specialize in.

Contact Info:

• Website: http://www.shotbycamila.com/
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/camishootsfilm/
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/perolykecami
• Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/camila-saldarriaga-97380b124/
• Twitter: https://twitter.com/perolykecami