Today we’d like to introduce you to Savannah Garcia-araniva
Hi Savannah, please kick things off for us with an introduction to yourself and your story.
I’ve been a creative at heart for as long as I can remember. Whether it be dancing, singing, drawing, or painting, I’ve always loved expressing myself through the art of creating. I also grew up very fortunate to have a plethora of memories captured by my parents and other family members. I loved sifting through boxes of photos with my parents, cherishing the moments of life they captured and hearing the stories that came with them. Each photo, physical proof of moments in time that you’re able to share with others beyond that exact moment–I fell in love with that idea of being able to capture and share memories through a singular photo. I was fortunate to receive my own camera, a small blue digital canon around the age of 9 and I began capturing memories of my own. I remember bringing my camera with me everywhere, from field trips to family outings, excited to capture everything around me. Although photography has always been a prominent pillar in my life, there were times during high school and my early years in college in which I didn’t even pick up my camera for months at a time. Whether it be because life got busy between classes and jobs, there were times in which I thought that my days of being a photographer were over. I had never shared my work seriously and didn’t showcase any of my work beyond the occasional Instagram post. It wasn’t until this past year when I left a job I didn’t feel fulfilled at, where I decided to dive headfirst into believing in myself and my creative potential. I never thought that photography would come back into my life in such a pivotal way. I created my own brand, began showcasing my work at various galleries, and met an amazing community of creatives who truly do keep me going during rough times. I also realized photography can be used as a means to highlight issues and uplift communities. I’m currently working a full-time job as a receptionist for a dental office, and although I know this isn’t my end-goal, I know my younger self would be proud for finally having the courage to pursue what I actually want out of life–despite the struggles I’ve experienced along the way.
Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
It absolutely has not. I’ve experienced a variety of struggles throughout life, all different journeys as I’ve learned different lessons throughout the years. One of the biggest struggles I’ve experienced recently was being unemployed for 6 months. I was a recent college graduate, filled with existential dread knowing that I had no idea what I wanted to do with my life–but not willing to admit that uncertainty to myself. I thought of so many different versions of the person I could be and the career paths I could take, but none of the imaginary lives I conjured felt fulfilling. When I left my job at the time, I fully anticipated being able to find another job within a month; not realizing that life had different lessons in store for me. I decided to make the most of the new abundance of time I had and decided to create my own business while continuing to search for jobs. This time period was full of emotions: the highs of beginning to share my work in galleries, and the heart-dropping rejections of jobs I had already begun fantasizing about working in. There were nights I’d sob to my partner, angry at myself and devastated about getting my hopes up about yet another job opportunity. I took every rejection as another push to continue investing in myself and my business. Although I’ve been a creative for as long as I can remember, this was the first time in my life I feel I fully embraced myself and took this love and passion I had seriously. I’m the eldest daughter in a Latino household, first generation U.S. citizen, and a first-generation college graduate. I’ve always struggled with external validation, wanting to be the perfect everything to everyone that I felt I needed to stifle my own dreams to meet their expectations. It took me being unemployed for months to finally submit myself to my passions. Now, I face the challenges that come with having a full-time job, running my own business, and making time to live life. As stressful as the past few months have been, I’ve never felt more grateful to experience the good, bad, and everything in between that life has to offer. I’ve realized there will always be struggles in life, but the perspective in which you view them changes everything. I have a newfound appreciation for the struggles that come with living life, as the darkest times often give way to the brightest memories.
Thanks – so what else should our readers know about La Hija del Valle?
Growing up, I felt like the San Fernando Valley didn’t have much to offer–I felt like everything to do and experience was in the heart of LA and I spent so much of my time wanting to leave the valley, that it blinded me to the beauty, culture, and community that can be found within it. The name of my brand, La Hija del Valle, is me reclaiming my home: a community I proudly represent regardless of where I am. There are a couple of products and services I offer under La Hija del Valle: I conduct photoshoots, hand-paint hoodies, sell prints of my photos, and I recently began exploring the role of a creative director. I’m currently looking forward to creating my first line of apparel this year, combining my photography with messages that people can proudly wear. I love combining different mediums with each other, as it’s a way for me to combine the love I have for different creative outlets. I’m most proud of bringing this brand into existence–I’ve always dreamed of having my own business, and although I don’t have everything figured out yet, (and to be frank I’m not sure if I ever will), I’m living much more authentically now than I was a year ago. The logo of my brand itself is an homage to the car club community I grew up around, inspired by the plaques they display on the back of their cars to signify the chosen family they belong to. My brand is inclusive, and supportive of everyone who’s following their dreams & aspirations. Living authentically isn’t always the easiest, and I’m genuinely so proud of anyone that is reaching for their goals & working towards the life they want to live.
What do you like best about our city? What do you like least?
There’s so much I love about LA, but one of my favorite things is the immense sense of community. Whether you’re walking around the local tiendita or finding familiar faces at community events, the love that the people of LA have for each other is unparalleled. We’re there for each other when members of our community are hurting, and we come together to support each other’s dreams. I’m always so grateful to have been raised in LA & the valley, because the feeling is incomparable. The things I don’t like about the city have more to do with systemic issues rather than the communities themselves. Two things that come to mind are gentrification and the disparity of wealth. The change in demographics has been evident in communities throughout LA, mid-city being one of them. Seeing long-lasting members of the community being priced out is maddening, and it’s hard to grasp how millionaires can exist in the same square mile as those who can’t even afford a roof over their heads.
Pricing:
- 1 Hr Photoshoot: $150
- 8×10 Print: $40
- 5×7 print: $20
- Hand-painted hoodie: $120-$200
- Stickers: $3
Contact Info:
- Website: https://lahijadelvalle.bigcartel.com/
- Instagram: @lahijadelvalle // @savy.g
- Other: https://lahijadelvalle.myportfolio.com/
