Today we’d like to introduce you to Madeline Arenas.
Madeline, let’s start with your story. We’d love to hear how you got started and how the journey has been so far.
I was born & raised in Pangasinan, Philippines. Art has been a huge part of me growing up. My loving mother thought I had a great left hand when it came to an art and sent me to art class at the early age of 7. Since then, I can see art everywhere through my eyes. I developed interests in photography when I was in elementary years, my first camera was Kodak Ultralite (Film). Throughout the years, I was told, there is no money on art. So, I have set aside my passion and pursue a different career path. By 2003, I purchased my first digital camera. Photographing became my hobby, I would capture the beauty of nature, my favorite being sunsets.
I started Cubrix Photography when the recession began January 2008. My first child was only 1 month old back then when I started taking his photos with little to no props. With no incoming income from my previous web development firm, I have to rapidly think, my camera was my only valued gear I have that makes money. I immediately started posting on Craigslist LA/SF/IE/OC – on a daily basis with my son as a sample portfolio. That’s how I first started to get my first batch of clients.
By 2nd quarter of 2009, I drove to San Francisco once a month to sustain my daughter’s baby formula & diapers supply for Dylan & Kyla. There was a season, I had barely no bookings and I was forced to sell some of my photography equipment so we can go Costco to buy our necessities. By the year 2009, I was nominated and rank top 5 out of 32 portrait photographers in Los Angeles. http://la.cityvoter.com/cubrix-photography/biz/266901. The awards continue 2011 (3/57), 2012(1/61), 2013(1/45) & 2014 (2/29)
Expertise picked Cubrix Photography as one of the top 23 out of 1,336 newborn photographers serving Los Angeles (2017 & 2018)
As of today, my business runs based on “referrals/word of mouth”, I average 10-14 sessions per week including newborns, baby milestones, family, headshots, marriage proposals & special events. I still travel to San Francisco yearly, expanded to Great Neck, NY for past 3 years, travel 2x a year. I am currently launching my first newborn + children Photography workshop in Manila Philippines this July 2018.
Overall, has it been relatively smooth? If not, what were some of the struggles along the way?
Top quality camera gear isn’t cheap when I started 10 years ago; when you’re just starting out, it’s not really something you can afford. I started with Canon Rebel XT with a kit lens, after the first year, I was able to save & upgrade. Now I use Nikon D4.
Props & Backdrops aren’t cheap either, you have to be resourceful & creative to be able to see ART around you. Until to this day, that’s what I do. I look around the client’s house and see what I can use for props.
With the advent of cheap digital SLR’s & editing apps, and to top it all off with portrait mode on the iPhone 8plus. Everyone wants to be a photographer. I have to work harder year by year to able to make my artistry stand out & to be able to separate myself from other portrait photographers.
What’s the hardest part of your job?
Familywise, not able to bring my children to weekend birthday parties, not able to witness my son hit a home run, missed so many family gatherings. Home portrait studio, when the elevator is not working – stairs is the only way to bring props/equipment/backdrops back and forth. For event photography, imagine smiling for 5-8 hours straight to all the guests who wanted to take photos.
Let’s explore some of the challenges you’ve faced along the way. What was the most difficult part of your career so far? 2016 was the most difficult part of my career. I lost my dear grandmother who has nurtured me since I was 3 months old. She had played a big role as to who I am today. It was a struggled for me to accept that she was no longer with me. I am blessed to have most of my clients who understood me during the most difficult year.
Cubrix Photography – what should we know? What do you guys do best? What sets you apart from the competition?
Cubrix Photography is a mobile portrait studio, I travel anywhere in LA & OC. San Francisco/San Jose yearly. Great Neck NY – 2x a year. Newborn photography is my specialty. I also do baby Milestones, Children, Family fine art portraiture as well as corporate headshots, marriage proposals and special events. I bring the portrait studio to you. I am geared with photography light equipment, tons of backdrops & custom made and vintage props.
What sets me apart from others: I am on the spot portrait artist, I have trained myself to see art everywhere. So making an art to my subjects is perfectly simple. As far as children photography, I do have a sense of humor that easily connects my toddlers to smile.
What is “success” or “successful” for you?
Success to me as a portrait photographer: Is when, you get appreciated, received handwritten love notes, long text from your clients saying how much they loved the photos you took, continuous raves at social media & word of mouth referrals, and most especially a hug from a client after the photoshoot.
Success to me as a working mother: Is when you able to still find the time & strength to play tickle fight when your children asked for it despite how sore your muscles from chasing toddlers, bending your back to get the good low angle shot on newborn and walking back and forth to ensure you capture most of the guests at events and able to handle some crazy drivers from LA going home at my family in Norwalk. Success for myself: I had a dream when I was a very young child..is to become an Artist and I’m actually doing it. That, to me, is a success.
What about “Wow-moments” – any moments that stick out? Any moments when you felt like you had made it? My “wow-moments”. Every time I see a mounted photograph on my client’s home. I feel like I have an art gallery right in front of me.
What advice do you wish to give to those thinking about pursuing a path similar to yours?
*An artist will be always an artist, in spite of everything. Pursue it, no matter what. (No Matter what, you are emphasizing that you are definitely going to do it, even if there are obstacles or difficulties.)
Contact Info:
- Phone: (909)510-2002
- Email: [email protected]
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Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/
cubrixphotos/ -
Instagram: instagram.com/photographer.madeline
Getting in touch: VoyageLA is built on recommendations from the community; it’s how we uncover hidden gems, so if you know someone who deserves recognition please let us know here.
