Life & Work with Aya Alvarez of Chicago

Today we’d like to introduce you to Aya Alvarez.

Hi Aya, can you start by introducing yourself? We’d love to learn more about how you got to where you are today?
Everyone always tries to make this deep connection with art and photos. I think that some people genuinely have that. Others , you can totally tell they are trying to fit in the square. I feel like at this point in time , I don’t have a deep rooted story or connection to cameras or photography like everyone claims to have.

I just like taking pictures. I like to play with color and manipulating images.
Creative control is something that interests me. I think that photography is a type of art that you can do SO many different things with.

Alright, 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?
No , it has not been a smooth road.
I think one of the main struggles that I have faced is standing out.

In a saturated market like Chicago , it’s really hard to stick out. I think that I’m still trying to find my style. I’m also constantly putting my work out there.

Thanks – so what else should our readers know about your work and what you’re currently focused on?
I used to love making abstract work. Now I think I specialize more in commercial and event work.
I honestly love what I’m doing now. I feel like I can be a lot more creative with how I am shooting one subject.

I love one-on-one collaborations with people. My favorite part is when a person comes back to me with more ideas. They are always so excited , which makes me excited. It feels great.

We love surprises, fun facts and unexpected stories. Is there something you can share that might surprise us?
“Oh no worries ! I can fix it in post.”
I say that ALL the time.

I don’t think people know how long I will stare at a photo in photoshop after editing and ask myself “How am I going to fix this?” or “Why did I say I could fix this?”

It’s a great challenge to myself , not sure why I almost always do that to myself , but I do.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://ayanicolealvarez.wixsite.com/aya-nicole-photograp
• Instagram: https://www-fallback.instagram.com/ayaniccole/
• LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ayana-alvarez-041120352/?skipRedirect=true
• Other: https://xyzchicago.com/