Meet Clara Chavez

Today we’d like to introduce you to Clara Chavez.

Clara, please share your story with us. How did you get to where you are today?
I first developed my passion for photography when my father converted our bathroom into a makeshift darkroom. I observed liquids mixing together to produce magical images and became intrigued with the process. As a young girl, my father exposed me to the amalgamation of cultures and sub-cultures that make up the diverse landscape of Los Angeles. We did not own a television- instead, I would read, write stories and venture out to absorb the sordid and beautiful idiosyncrasies all the while nurturing my imagination.

I had never seriously pursued a career in photography, I would always be shooting, however, at that point in time, I was not ready to use my gift. For a good part of my young adult life, I worked in customer service, I have a down to earth personality and I love putting a smile on someone’s face, it seemed like a natural setting for me. When it eventually came time to selecting a profession, I thought I wanted to be a stylist. When that did not work out, I went back to being a receptionist-this time I was working the front lines of one of the most prominent LGBT centers in the city and I absolutely loved the community and the work I was doing. While I loved the work, management was a different story and I had to leave a job that I truly loved.

When one door closes another opens, my partner proposed that I go back to school to pursue my gifts and with that, I went back. While I was there and I had been through such a rough ride, I made sure to invest every ounce of me into my studies. I used the opportunity to tap into my pain and turn it into experimental but relevant artwork, I took advantage of the access to concepts, feedback, and the tools only school can provide and learned about different mediums I could use for my visions. Recently I graduated at the top of my class with my Associate in Science in Photography, by chance I fell in love with video, I earned a couple of scholarships and certificates all while exhibiting at various art galleries along the way. Good times 🙂

Has it been a smooth road?
Hell Nah! It has not been a smooth road! I was in a toxic relationship throughout my 20’s which led me to stray from the path I had in mind. I was consumed and it felt like I was dragged through the gutter. When I finally decided that I no longer wanted to reside in such darkness and I had had enough, I decided to attend cosmetology school, there I aimed to become a professional hairstylist. However, when I got my license and started assisting at prominent salons it never felt right, I felt out of place, I always felt like an outsider. I felt like my mind and soul were going through a shift of consciousness, I was experiencing a metamorphosis.

Since I had gotten out of this terrible situation, I needed to heal and get to know this new me, in some ways, I was looking for a cultural and spiritual link. I was brought to the United States from Mexico when I was two years old and I lacked a connection to my own roots. It’s like you’re not from here and you’re not from there at the same time. In an effort to form bridges, I began attending cultural events and at this very crux, I met quite a handsome and charming man by the name of Jose Luis, an Aztec dancer that was also an art teacher-I was smitten. Since then I have evolved and learned a lot about myself and my identity, I now practice meditation, ancestral connections, and I have tapped into a sensitivity that has always been there but have been taught to ignore. I use these facets in my photography, as we are all connected and it’s about listening and learning from one another- that is where the strength in our humanity lies.

We’d love to hear more about your business.
My main focus is portraiture, I capture female entrepreneurs that are powerful women of color a.k.a. “Fempreneurs”, I like to get to know my clients first so we have good energy flowing between us, I capture their essence, their gifts, and the passions they share with the world. I employ various tools within my arsenal to add experimental qualities to my imagery. Prior to my portraiture work, I focused on landscapes and nature, now I fuse the microcosm and macrocosms and engage the power of these forces. I am trying to invoke the inner goddess- we’ll laugh, we’ll cry and we’ll dance through it all, I guarantee that we will have a great time. Yay!

Is our city a good place to do what you do?
The city is full of creatives and the photography market is saturated, especially with phones and their ability to compete with professionals, it is not easy to break out and make a career out here in LA. I do believe that if you put yourself in situations where the need does exist, then you can flourish but it will not be easy and there are tons of competition out there, but if you narrow in on your niche, you can get your business moving in the right direction. It may take you a while but with some persistence, anything can happen. I think the city is a great place to be we have a lot of events, access, and opportunities just make sure they fit with your mission and goals, one must also be open to mistakes and using them as opportunities to learn from, that would be my best advice.

Contact Info:

• Website: clarachavezmedia.com
• Email: clara@clarachavezmedia.com
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/clarachavezmedia/

Image Credit:
Clara Chavez Media

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