Daily Inspiration: Meet Amanda Torres

Today we’d like to introduce you to Amanda Torres.

Hi Amanda, it’s an honor to have you on the platform. Thanks for taking the time to share your story with us – to start maybe you can share some of your backstory with our readers?
I’m a 23-year-old Latina filmmaker from the Inland Empire, and my love for film started very early. As a kid, I was fascinated by movies and the process of making them. I initially thought I wanted to be an actress, but I was just as drawn to filming things. My mom would buy me small camcorders, and I spent a lot of time recording everything around me and experimenting with making short videos to post online. When my dad bought me my first real camera in middle school, that experience really shifted things for me. I realized I felt most at home behind the camera.
From there, I continued exploring filmmaking through photography and video production classes in high school and eventually earned a bachelor’s degree in digital media with a focus on film and television production. College helped me better understand myself as a filmmaker, especially once I began lighting and working on projects centered on women’s stories. That’s when I started to appreciate the artistry of composing images and shaping light, and I became inspired by cinematographers who could transform ordinary spaces into something visually meaningful. That was the moment I knew I wanted to pursue cinematography.
My path forward was shaped by curiosity, hard work, and learning wherever I could. One of my first professional opportunities came from my professor, Morgan Sandler, who helped introduce me to working sets and gave me early hands-on experience. From there, I was fortunate to work alongside generous crews and cinematographers who allowed me to learn in the grip and electric department and later as a camera assistant and camera operator.
Mentorship has been especially important in my journey. Over the past two years, Mike Marasco and Kasandra Baruch have mentored me closely, inviting me onto larger productions and teaching me through real-world experience what it means to lead with intention, collaboration, and care as a cinematographer. Their guidance and trust helped me grow not only technically, but also in confidence.
I’m deeply grateful to the people who took time to teach me and believed in my growth. Each opportunity built on the last, and through consistency, humility, and learning from others, I’ve been able to step more fully into my role as a DP. I’m still learning every day, but I’m thankful for the momentum I’ve built and excited to continue growing in the next chapter of my career.

Can you talk to us a bit about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned along the way. Looking back would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?
It hasn’t been a completely smooth road, but I also wouldn’t say I’ve faced any extreme obstacles. The biggest challenge for me has been internal. Like many creatives, I’ve had to navigate the mental battle of questioning myself wondering if I’m doing enough, if I’m good enough, or if I truly deserve the opportunities I’m given. Building confidence and trusting that I’m exactly where I’m meant to be has been an ongoing process, and I still have moments where I remind myself of that.
Another challenge was balancing practicality with passion. While I was in film school, I was working three jobs while attending classes full-time, and on any free days I had, I was trying to be on set or working creatively. That period taught me discipline, time management, and how much I was willing to invest in this career.
Taking the leap into freelancing was probably the most intimidating step. There was a lot of uncertainty financially and creatively and questions about whether people would trust me and see me as a professional. Looking back, it was also the most rewarding decision I’ve made. It pushed me to grow quickly, trust my abilities, and fully commit to my craft.
Overall, I’ve learned that moments of doubt and fear are part of the creative journey. Staying focused on the work, continuing to learn, and showing up consistently has helped me move forward. I’m grateful for where I am now and genuinely excited about the path ahead.

Can you tell our readers more about what you do and what you think sets you apart from others?
I’m a Latina cinematographer and photographer, and my work is rooted in having a camera in my hands and using it as a tool for connection and storytelling. I’ve always been especially passionate about working on projects centered around women and exploring themes that reflect the real struggles, complexities, and experiences of being a woman. From the beginning of my journey, I knew I wanted to tell stories that could make a difference or at the very least, start meaningful conversations particularly around subjects that often aren’t given enough attention or aren’t portrayed authentically in the media.
One of the most fulfilling moments in my career came from my short film The Walk of Shame. Hearing that the story helped people feel seen or less alone reinforced why I’m drawn to this kind of work. While there isn’t one single project I’m more proud of than another, I feel a deep connection to every piece I’ve created. Each project represents a moment of growth, a creative risk, or a lesson learned, and I’m grateful for every opportunity I’ve had to make the work that I have.
I don’t necessarily think there’s one thing that sets me apart, aside from my personality, my genuine love for filmmaking and photography, and the stories I’m drawn to tell. When I look at my body of work, I see a clear through line in my visual taste, style, and the way I approach an image. What excites me most is seeing how that style has evolved over time. When I look back at my earlier work, it carries the same heart, but the craft has matured alongside me, reflecting where I was then and where I am now.
At this stage in my career, I’m inspired by new experiences, new perspectives, and a deeper sense of purpose. I’m excited to continue pushing myself creatively both through commissioned work and independent projects and to stay engaged with my community in a meaningful way as I keep growing as an artist.

Do you have recommendations for books, apps, blogs, etc?
wouldn’t say there’s one specific app, book, podcast, or resource that’s directly shaped my life in a big, structured way. A lot of my inspiration comes from more organic places. I read a lot of poetry, and that’s been really meaningful for me creatively. Poetry feels like a different form of storytelling raw, intimate, and emotionally honest and it’s helped shape how I think about expression, vulnerability, and voice in my own work.
I’m also a huge fan of photobooks and visual art in general. I find a lot of inspiration in seeing how other artists compose images, use light, and communicate emotion through stillness. Absorbing work from different mediums feels really grounding and creatively rewarding it reminds me that storytelling doesn’t only exist in film.
More than specific tools or platforms, I’m inspired by experiencing other people’s art, paying attention to how they see the world, and letting that influence how I approach my own creative process.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://mandilenz.com
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/mandilenz/