Today we’d like to introduce you to Zach Anaya.
Thanks for sharing your story with us Zach. So, let’s start at the beginning and we can move on from there.
I’m 21 years old. I started the end of my junior year of high school self-teaching myself everything through photo and video. From there, I graduated high school. Got a job as a lifeguard/swim instructor and used that money to go on several trips. These trips turned to meeting new people, companies and so much growth at once creatively. From Oregon to Japan by the end of the year. As the months went on, I’ve met people along the way that are some of my closet friends yet and wouldn’t be where I’m at today without them. By learning connections and building on that, I’ve used my work to self-market myself even with a low following to work with companies such as MVMT, Naturebacks, TeamLTD, etc.
Overall, has it been relatively smooth? If not, what were some of the struggles along the way?
Never a smooth road. It was a very difficult road to get where I’m at today and will be another difficult road to be full-time and where I want with this career later on. There is a lot of risk and opportunities. It just depends on your will and if your going to put down the hard work for the outcome you want. I struggled with knowing and trusting this as my career by fading away from swimming, being a fire paramedic, and having faith in a path that seemed in possible.
We’d love to hear more about your work and what you are currently focused on. What else should we know?
My business is myself. I use my work through photos and videos from world travels or just my best work from road trips. I use my creative eye to self-market myself through the business world by having contracts, sponsorships and long term relationships with companies to follow them and they also support my trips along the way. I’m known for travel photography and filmmaking. I take what’s dark and make it light whether it be photos or videos by stories. I’m proud because four years ago, I would have never seen myself having my own website, long term relationships or contracts with companies. What sets me apart from everyone else? I dig deep down on the hard work and my dream/vision of what I see and making this my fulltime career while being pressured with a low following on Instagram/YouTube but making it work out. Connections are so important to me. The people first before the work. I have a huge background in working with the best and just being a friend to these people. A number should never tell who you are but the heart that guides you.
What is “success” or “successful” for you?
I have a motto I live by. I call it the 3 P’s. Passion, Patience and Persistence. Passion: having a love for what you do and finding ways no matter how hard it gets to always have fun in the process. Your work/opportunities will follow if you focus more on the heart. Patience: it takes time and a lot of patience for things to go through, or don’t or keep grinding your work till something happens. I promise you not if you take this for granted then you will go very far. Persistence: to be always constant on building on your work, your business plans and you as a person is what makes you stand out from the others more. The consistent hard work and endless nights with no sleep with all pay off in the end. Trust in the process and have faith.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://zachanaya.com/
- Email: [email protected]
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/zachanaya/?hl=en
- Other: YouTube: zachanaya
Image Credit:
Me with waterfalls in background: pic by @johngrs; Sand dune shot: set up by me but shot by @jcrdbl
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