Today we’d like to introduce you to Patricia Martinez.
Hi Patricia, we’d love for you to start by introducing yourself.
Hi! You can call me Patty, Patricia is my mother whom I was named after. I am primarily a portrait photographer.I started my business in photography as a part-time thing to allow me to spend more time at home and raise my boys. When my youngest son began to dance I focused my lens on dance and never stopped. In 2018 San Diego Ballet asked me to be their resident photographer and it has been a fun Journey being a part of a professional and creative dance company.
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?
Looking back to how I got to where I am seems clear. However, having lived it was like a twisty and stumbling road. In my heart, I wanted to be an artist and, in my mind, I knew I should pursue anything else. It didn’t take long in college for me to decide to get an art degree instead, and it was encouraged by my husband to be. I just knew I had to do something in the creative field, but I did not know exactly what. I enjoyed everything as long as I got my hands dirty. I decided that making a living would be easier in the digital arts. Then I learned that I don’t enjoy sitting behind a computer for hours on end. So, I guess a 50/50 compromise between actively getting dirty and editing on the computer is what I ended up with being a photographer. Photographs have fascinated me since my childhood. I loved the nostalgia an image can evoke even though one has no relation to it. I realized then the importance of photography for capturing the important moments and all of the in between. I fell in love with the craft of photography when I started tinkering with my mother’s neglected rangefinder. My first rolls of film were a big failure which just made me more determined to get it right and I am still determined till this day to always improve my craft.
As far as my photography business the bumps have come on the business side. Mainly my issues came from me jumping into running a business without any knowledge. I learned how to run my business along the way.
Can you tell our readers more about what you do and what you think sets you apart from others?
This is a tough question, especially in such a competitive and saturated profession. I guess being a resident photographer for a ballet company is not very common and I could say that puts me in a niche of sorts. 2022-2023 will be my fourth season with San Diego Ballet. I have really enjoyed my time collaborating with such a creative company. In the beginning of the pandemic, I also got a spot in the Arts District at Liberty Station where San Diego Ballet resides. It is an honor to be alongside talented artists. The halls of the buildings feel like art galleries and it’s open to the public!
Are there any apps, books, podcasts, blogs, or other resources you think our readers should check out?
I think YouTube is a great and accessible resource if you are a visual learner like me or just in general. As a photographer, being a part of the Professional Photographer San Diego Chapter has been beneficial in more ways than one. I highly recommend joining a peer group.
Contact Info:
- Website: www.canelaphoto.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/canela_photography/
- Yelp: https://www.yelp.com/biz/canela-photography-san-diego
Image Credits
Macey Groener
Amie Webber
TJ Black Dominika
Ethan Black
Macey Groener
Kanna Kitsunai
Isabelle Glavin
Anna Shishkin
Isabella Lara
