Today we’d like to introduce you to Tanya Sanchez-ramirez
Hi Tanya, can you start by introducing yourself? We’d love to learn more about how you got to where you are today?
Hello, my name is Tanya Sanchez-Ramirez and I am a first-generation Mexican-American photographer. I was born and raised in Bellflower then later moved to Cypress. I recently graduated from California State University, Long Beach, with a Bachelor of Fine Arts in Photography, and I am currently pursuing a teaching credential to become a high school art teacher.
I began to get into photography when I was in my senior year of high school. Like many people that age, I struggled with deciding what I wanted to do in life. I just loved being behind the camera and being able to project how I felt visually. Growing up as a bilingual and as a first generation student, I found it difficult to code-switch and be able to expand my thoughts into writing. Photography felt like a universal language where I could project my thoughts without using words, but I was unsure if I was able to have it as a career choice.
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 always been easy being in the world of photography and art industry, especially since both are largely male-dominated. Around my fourth year as a photographer, I found it challenging to switch between my personal artistic vision to the more restricted corporate style required for commercial work. Overtime, I learned how to have a balance between the two. Another significant struggle I faced was imposter syndrome, which I believe many creators can relate to. I often caught myself thinking, “I need this specific lighting setup or that expensive lens,” when in reality, creativity can not be bought. For anyone just starting out in their creative journey, I highly encourage surrounding yourself with a diverse group of creatives. It’s one of the best ways to grow!
Appreciate you sharing that. What else should we know about what you do?
Most of my gallery work centers on the heavy topics of femicide and the machismo culture in Mexico. As a Mexican-American artist, I feel a strong responsibility to bring awareness to these historical events and question these social issues. I felt inspired after taking a trip to Guadalajara, where I began investigating the vast number of femicide cases in Mexico. These cases represent a small fraction of the number of the many women who have disappeared or lost their lives to gender-based violence. My work honors their stories and brings awareness to these injustices. This work will be available for viewing at a group art exhibition around December this year at CSULB. I hope to continue making art work about similar issues within my community and expand accessibility for others to view it.
I also feel fortunate to have had many diverse, commercial opportunities to add to my portfolio of work such as event coverage, portraiture, and product photography. I also have a special connection to the car community, whose support has helped me evolve as a photographer. This support even led to one of my happiest moments–photographing for Rolls-Royce!
Can you talk to us a bit about happiness and what makes you happy?
Simple moments in life make me happy, like going out with my friends for karaoke, spending time with my boyfriend, or cooking with my family. These everyday experiences bring me a lot of joy because they remind me of the meaningful connections I have with the people I love. I also get a lot of happiness from discovering creative and well-designed products. I have a small collection of weird bags and earrings that I’ve gathered over time. Lastly, I find joy when I am doing my observation hours with my high school students. I have noticed when I help my students understand how to edit in Adobe products and they go help each other. We are creating a cycle of learning and teaching which I am proud to be a part of.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://portfolio-quuyrmk.format.com
- Instagram: @tanya.in.focus
Image Credits
Image of Tanya Sanchez-Ramirez (Black and White) by Jesse Hernandez
