Today we’d like to introduce you to Barbie Chavez.
Alright, so thank you so much for sharing your story and insight with our readers. To kick things off, can you tell us a bit about how you got started?
I started off at 12 years old, getting my first camera. I wanted to be like my older brother, who was in high school and used to vlog during his school breaks. My passion for filmmaking took off from there. My friends and I would make little YouTube sketches every week. I knew from early on that I had a passion for telling stories and a longing to be a director one day.
I started photography as a way to express myself creatively while studying abroad in college because while I couldn’t study filmmaking while I was finishing my Spanish degree in other countries, it was easier to tell a story through photos than making an entire film. That’s when I fell in love with photography and I haven’t let go of it ever since. I didn’t think I cared for photography when I was younger but now I feel torn between my two loves. Photo vs Video. Or why are they tearing me apart, maybe they are both in harmony with me as I continue to grow as an artist and pursue both forms of art.
After graduating college, I worked at videography agency in Walla Walla, Washington for a year, growing my skills by shooting all kinds of content for businesses around the area. As much as I loved my crew there and how fun the work was, I knew my calling was back home in Los Angeles where I could pursue more creative ideas. I know I want to make films that highlight the Latino experience as well as tell stories about all kinds of people that need to be heard.
Now, I am a freelance videographer and photographer based in LA, with a style that’d I’d like to call funky fresh. (hehe)
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?
Obstacles for me have been getting clients on a regular basis due to the nature of the style of my portraits. They’re more editorial/funky fresh than a wedding or family photographer’s photos would be. Moving away from traditional styles creates a more niche client base but I’m not afraid to keep pursuing the style that I like most.
As far as being in the filmmaking world, that industry is hard to crack into. I’ve worked on sets as a production assistant, but it is not creatively stimulating. However, I enjoy being on various TV sets and movie sets, soaking in whatever learning I can when it comes to lighting and camera technique. I hope to make my way up to the camera department soon.
Thanks for sharing that. So, maybe next you can tell us a bit more about your work?
I do fashion and portrait photography and videography for all kinds of things. I love making short films, documentaries, music videos, and even promos for businesses.
I love playing around with photoshop to make my images more creative. I love edgy and funky editorial photography.
I think what sets me apart is my love for creativity and storytelling, my passion for helping small businesses, and my drive to become an established filmmaker/photographer one day.
I am most proud of the mini-documentaries I make because those stories are about the little things that pack lots of emotions. Personally, I want to uplift the voices of the Latino community and POC in general.
Alright, so to wrap up, is there anything else you’d like to share with us?
Idk I think it would be easier to talk about this on a phone call HAHA
Maybe I’d like to say that through it all, I am extremely grateful to have a support system like my parents and friends who push me to keep going even when I feel like giving up because being a creative you risk a lot, you risk stability. And as an artist, you’re constantly critiquing your own work, even though to others they may think it’s amazing.
Contact Info:
- Website: www.createdbybarbie.com
- Instagram: www.instagram.com/createdbybarbie
