Hi! My name is Margarita, and I believe that photography is the easiest way to"cheat" at drawing and painting! The masterpiece is already there! You just have to notice it, and capture it with a simple click of a button. In that, I feel that I have been a photographer long before I ever got my first camera. I started drawing and playing music much earlier in life when I was a child.. But, even then, I've always felt as if my eyes were like the camera lenses.
Having a grandpa for a “pro-photographer” may have inspired that sense. Ever since I was little, I watched him carry his heavy "Zenith" (on a worn-out leather strap around his neck… everywhere), and capture amazing candid moments (which otherwise would have been lost forever.) But, I didn't realize I had that same creative calling until much later.
I wanted to be a filmmaker at first...and just like my grandpa, I used to carry my analog Sony camcorder around my neck everywhere. I filmed everything that inspired me, and collected hours of footage for future editing. It wasn't until after college, when I got my first compact digital camera, that I started to realize what a huge immediate impact photography had on people, and how natural it came to me! Of course, I continued to explore my passion for making films. After my grandpa passed on in 2008, I started to work on my first documentary "In Heaven and In Our Hearts", (which was partially shown on RTN in 2010). That film was supposed to explore the right way to pay respects to someone who's gone. Producing that film made me feel better, but it was never finished. I couldn't find the perfect way to end it. Regardless, I thought I’ve done my best in keeping my grandpa's memory alive by just making it.
But, fate had a better idea!
Few years later, as I was trying to break into the field of the graphic design, I was given an opportunity to take some photos for a children's art exhibit... and the rest was history! Ever since, I’ve felt blessed to call myself a "professional photographer", working for a great non-profit organization YANY, which supports and promotes the arts in the public schools - a cause that's near and dear to my heart. I feel lucky to be able to photograph children's acting performances, their photo and art exhibits, dance recitals, and choir rehearsals. I candidly capture their amazing happy smiles, and triumphant moments of creativity (which only another artist can understand)!
I feel blessed to not just be able to do what I love, but to do it for a great cause! I hardly ever pose my subjects, as I am really interested in capturing the beauty of life's most real moments (which otherwise would be lost forever.) Now, just like my grandpa, I carry my heavy "Canon" (on a worn-out leather strap around my neck). Every time I do, I feel as if my grandpa is still here, and I realize that I have found the perfect ending for my doc!
Although it's the end for the film, in real life, it's only a happy beginning! I have finally found my true creative calling, and in addition, I get to keep my grandpa's bright and shining memory alive by continuing to do what he loved!
My personal motto whenever I take photos, is to look at my subjects not with my eyes, and not with my camera lens, but with my heart. Only then, can you really capture the unique essence of their souls!
Thank you so much for reading and please contact me with any questions..
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