Meet Cindy Romero

Today we’d like to introduce you to Cindy Romero.

So, before we jump into specific questions about the business, why don’t you give us some details about you and your story.
My journey into photography began over ten years ago. But it wasn’t until seven years ago that I became intrigued by fashion and beauty editorials. I started out like many of us did before the age of Instagram, by seeking models willing to collaborate with me on Model Mayhem. That, alongside taking photos of friends, a hobby soon became my passion.

And from a passion it has now become my full-time job. By no means, do I consider myself having “made it” yet, but about six months ago, with the support of my husband, I decided to take the plunge into converting my craft into my career. I am currently working with modeling agencies within the LA area to help them develop the portfolios of girls in their rosters. I work with small clothing brands in LA, creating content with their merchandise. And one more recent part of my job has been working alongside micro-influencers to create content for their pages and their own personal brand.

On a more personal note, as a Latina, I’m very aware of the lack of representation within the fashion and beauty industry in regards to women of color. So a lot of my personal work has been strategically created to raise our women and praise them for their beauty.

We’re always bombarded by how great it is to pursue your passion, etc – but we’ve spoken with enough people to know that it’s not always easy. Overall, would you say things have been easy for you?
It has absolutely not been a smooth ride. I don’t think its ever easy to achieve longevity and stature. In my opinion, the photography industry is saturated by anyone with access to a camera. Which is just about everyone if you think about it, considering we now have cameras in our pockets, also called cellphones. With this saturation, comes clientele thinking that just anyone can do the same job as a photographer. Capturing the right moment doesn’t just mean being there with a camera. It begins even prior to a photoshoot, it commences with conception, location scouting, moodboards, amongst other things.

As a photographer that is passionate about her work and seeks to form an actual life-long career out of it, I don’t just point and shoot when we work together. I aim to capture you in your best light, in your best angle, to enhance your best features and diminish your insecurities. I make sure that the surrounding, be it in-studio or on-location, is all working together to flatter you, and not distract from your spotlight. To circle back how this is a major obstacle, its now next to impossible to have people appreciate your work and be willing to pay you for it. Most often, people will settle for mediocrity because its free, than to spend a couple of bucks to achieve something beautiful. It’s hard to make a living and stand out when there’s just so much content flooding our feeds, making it unnecessarily hard for your work to even be seen.

But, it’s moments like these, when we feel unseen and overlooked that most give up. It’s when the struggle gets more intense that we break down and give up on ourselves. And I know that’s currently the stage where I’m at in my career. Just giving up and getting a regular job seems like the better option. But its the easier option, and the easy path is never fulfilling. So I’ll just be here struggling and going against the current until it’s my time to shine. And I suggest the same to anyone that is in the same position as me right now. Struggling is a privilege because after struggle comes success to those that stick it on through.

So let’s switch gears a bit and go into the Cindy Romero Photography story. Tell us more about the business.
My photography, I believe, speaks for itself. Its a story; its a moment in time encapsulated for eternity. I specialize in fashion and beauty because I grew up admiring fashion week and browsing through hundreds of magazines editorials and brand campaigns. Which is a goal of mine, that will become reality in due time. Like mentioned before, I specialize in creating a platform and representation for women of color. The industry has been run and powered by white people for far too long, representation needs to come from within. It needs not only to put colored models forward but to have creatives behind these shoots, be artists of color as well. I work with makeup-artists and wardrobe-stylists that not only are they “minorities” but understand females of all color, all nationalities, all ethnicities, and all bodies. Which is something I will continue to do until I am old and wrinkly. Representation means it needs to be established from within the industry so that mistakes like black-face & cultural appropriation is never overlooked when you can provide authenticity.

Has luck played a meaningful role in your life and business?
Personally, I believe luck and fortune is created by our own drive and perseverance.

Contact Info:

• Phone: 3237126821
• Email: [email protected]
• Instagram: @cindygromero

Image Credit:
Portrait of me (orange close-up) taken by my husband, Marco Roman, Everything else is my intellectual & creative property.

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