Today we’d like to introduce you to Mariangela Quiroga.
Thanks for sharing your story with us Mariangela. So, let’s start at the beginning and we can move on from there.
I am from Colombia and have been very lucky that my parents have always empowered and encouraged me both in my music and my photography careers!
First I chose to do my BFA in Piano Performance. While I was in college, I got into the Colombian Youth Philharmonic and during my spare time, I always wanted to take portraits of my fellow musician friends. As time went by, I got very inspired by photography and saw many more possibilities. After around two years of doing it as a hobby, I decided I wanted to turn it into my career.
Then, I applied to the MFA in Photography at New York Film Academy and continued my education! I moved first to New York and later to L.A. Since I have been here, I’ve had the opportunity of working alongside many successful portrait photographers that I look up to. I feel very fortunate to make a living from what I love and continue building my career in such a great community.
Great, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
I like to think that life is all about the process, how you approach the highs and lows, and how creative you get to make a solution or to get better at something. One challenge that I have faced is anytime my photographs are not chosen at a photo competition, it’s always hard to boost my confidence after that. But I am a very positive person and always try to see these challenges as opportunities, you never know what good comes out of a “bad” situation. I also think it’s been an awesome road, nevertheless, it’s always very hard for me to be away from my family, my closest friends and my boyfriend, but I always have in mind that I am following my dream and I am so lucky because somehow, I always end up meeting new, inspiring and amazing people!
Please tell us about Mariangela Quiroga Photography.
Mariangela Quiroga Photography is my brand. I specialize in portrait photography. I just love people, we are complex creatures and every interaction with my subjects is different. What I feel the most connected to, is taking portraits of musicians, artists and I am getting more into fashion photography as well.
I am very proud of what I have accomplished so far, I have been published a couple of times on magazines, have been on set for some short films and music videos as unit still photographer, but my best reward is when my clients and friends can see past the photo and actually see the story that my team and I are telling through the imagery and they are in sync with it.
My background in music gives me more sensibility at the time to take the photographs. I try to listen closely to my subject, I am always interested in their story and I am always looking for different ways in which I can use the light to help me tell the story that I am hearing and seeing.
Do you look back particularly fondly on any memories from childhood?
Wow! There are so many! I love to travel, so every trip has been incredible. One of my favorites was visiting the Glaciar Perito Moreno in Argentina. The sound of the ice falling is impressive, nature is so majestic!
Being an only child is great because you learn to be very independent but at the same time having a huge family made me enjoy so much to be surrounded by lots of people. So there are a bunch of great moments that I remember while playing at the orchestra, going on tour, traveling with my family and friends and enjoying those funny birthday parties at home. You know, as I get older, I tend to appreciate more of the little things in life, so it’s hard for me to point out just one memory.
Contact Info:
- Website: www.mariangelaquiroga.com
- Phone: 3472488161
- Email: [email protected]
- Instagram: @mariaqphotography
Image Credit:
Mariangela Quiroga, Raquel dos Reis, Paola Baldion
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