Today we’d like to introduce you to Sal Mendoza.
Sal, let’s start with your story. We’d love to hear how you got started and how the journey has been so far.
I started taking photographs when I was really young. I first started with several film cameras. I remember developing the film myself and waiting to see how the picture was going to turn out. I was never really good at it, but it was fun nonetheless. I never thought I would be taking pictures for events and clients. To me, photography was just a hobby; something I did for fun or to pass the time. As I grew older and started to attend college, I decided to major in film. With this in mind, I got myself a DSLR with the intention to start shooting video and teach myself how to edit. As I began taking classes at California State University Dominguez Hills, I enrolled in several photography classes and fell in love with photography again. I started taking pictures of family members and friends and started to post my work on my social media. A good friend of mine saw my work and asked me to shoot their wedding; I was both honored and nervous. The rest as they say, “Is history.”
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?
I have had the blessing to work with a wide variety of clients, all who have trusted my taste and vision. There is nothing more liberating when a client allows you to show up and just do your thing. It is always important to understand their expectations (don’t get me wrong), but it is always fun when they just let you roll with it. The only challenges I would say, is equipment. When I first started out, I learned that a kit lens could only do some much. Every shoot is different and requires special gear; for example, if you are shooting a wedding I would use a Prime lens for the portraits. If you are shooting a big event that and you want to capture everybody in the photo, you will need a wide-angle lens, and if you will be shooting a night, you may need some lighting equipment.
We’d love to hear more about your business.
I consider myself an event photographer, I love shooting portraits. However, I also do product photography. I don’t like to limit myself to one genre of photography. I am always looking to challenge myself as well as to expand my business to other opportunities. I think what sets me apart from other photographers is that I am a film student. With this in mind, I tend to frame my shots as if I was shooting a scene from a movie. I also like to be spontaneous, sometimes I do not even make it aware to my subject that I am about to shoot them. This helps to make a more natural scene and has always worked for me.
What were you like growing up?
Growing up, I remember I was interested in so many things. Video games, comic books, movies, music, photography, etc. It was so overwhelming because I wanted to do it all. I am also a clown, I love making people laugh and being random. I love listening to people’s stories and I love to help out in any situation that I can.
Contact Info:
- Address: 1524 Nairn Ave
- Phone: 3234805360
- Email: [email protected]
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/salmendozaphoto/
- Facebook: www.facebook.com/Sal.Mendoza.Photography/
Image Credit:
Sal Mendoza
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