Check Out Victor Arriola’s Story

Today we’d like to introduce you to Victor Arriola.

Hi Victor, thanks for sharing your story with us. To start, maybe you can tell our readers some of your backstory.
I got started in a completely different career path than where I am today. It definitely wasn’t, isn’t an easy path, but it’s been so worth it. I went from a law enforcement background to now being a freelance photographer/photo editor!

Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
Not at all! My first biggest struggle was leaving my full-time job. I had to commit to finding my path outside of the norm. It’s never an easy path to be a freelance creative, especially when generational trauma comes into play. I was expected to have a full-time job with a 401k to be considered “successful”. But I did it and am still doing it. It’s been the most fulfilling thing I’ve ever done.

The second biggest hurdle is being a freelance photographer (in a good way though)! Many freelance creatives don’t just practice one discipline; we have to market ourselves, be social media managers, and the list can go on. Even then, it’s worth it, to me at least, seeing myself grow and show myself how much I can achieve on my own and with the help of others.

Alright, so let’s switch gears a bit and talk business. What should we know about your work?
I’m a photographer and photo editor. My greatest passion is observing basically everything. With a camera, I get to capture what I observe to show others how I see the world.

What makes me most proud is that I know my main focus in life is to represent those who are underrepresented. I want to see more BIPOC in all forms of art. I am doing my absolute best to represent those in the community I grew up in, as well as those around the world who grew up and are growing up in similar backgrounds/lifestyles.

I specialize in editorials. I love fashion, photojournalism (especially within LA Chicano community), and BTS/still photography, whether in Film or music videos. It is so meaningful for me to connect with a human and capture moments that we look back to on a screen/print. There’s a connection with subjects and a camera that you feel when you’re there behind the camera (it’s kind of addicting).

How do you think about luck?
I feel like I’ve been lucky to be a lucky person. Nothing is or has ever been easy for me. But I think I tend to be at the right place at the right time; in terms of when I’m photographing and with creating meaningful connections with people I could work with. That in itself isn’t really luck. It’s been a lot of asking and rejection, but when something works, I’ve been lucky to make the best of it and bring more from it. I’ve also been lucky to meet amazing people that trust me and put my name out there!

Contact Info:

• Website: https://victorarriola.photography/
• Instagram: @victorarriolaphotography
• Linkedin: www.linkedin.com/in/victor-arriola-66217b1a4

Image Credits
Victor Arriola