Meet Armando Diaz of Photographer

Today we’d like to introduce you to Armando Diaz.

Armando, please share your story with us. How did you get to where you are today?
My name is Armando Diaz. As a San Diego based photographer, I take great pride in my photography and capturing moments in time through the things I see and people I photograph. For most of my life I have been a shy person, one could say, an introvert.

Today that is different, I am different. I engage with others and the world through a new found devotion in photography. In 2001 I took a photography class at City College SD to include film and I liked it, but I became distracted with “the party” of my youth and photography fell away from me. In 2006 my father passed away. I turned into a heavy drinker with multiple run in’s with the law.

My life was a wreck and I did not care about anyone but myself. I was detached and separate from my skill set, my potential and who I was as a human being. 2014 is when I quit drinking, cleaned up and discovered my passion for photography again. That day, I picked up a mirrorless camera in 2015 the Sony A6000, was life-changing. This wasn’t anything like my first actual point and shoot camera. It was like learning to ride a bike again for the first time, I had to relearn everything from scratch.

I am a self-taught photographer, hungry for new skills and opportunities always. I have thwarted myself out there, on the street to engage with strangers, the landscapes of beautiful San Diego and fully mesh myself in all new adventures in photography, I just shoot, then shoot again and then… some more. I am now highly networked with other local photographers Make- up and hair artist’s, Models and involved in group events.

As of the last year, I have focused on portrait photography which I highly enjoy. It is always more for me to learn. Today, my confidence continues to build, my connections are strong and I am booking frequently and feel blessed to be such an amazing part of this community, blessed to have new found friends and know how much photography has added to my life.

I have found my calling an I plan to continue listening. I truly hope my story will inspire another person out there, hope is real and lives do change . My past was a grand experience that has opened me up a to world of newness and my eyes to a new perspective. I know who I am today and I know Photography is what I am meant to do.

I look forward to what new adventures in photography lie ahead and in meeting new individuals and like minds in creating in this grand community of San Diego. Life is good.
-AD

Has it been a smooth road?
Certainly not a smooth road, My Challenges and Obstacles are dealing with anxiety, still being shy but I’m breaking out on my own. I’m always learning new lighting techniques and what and when to use different modifiers.

I’m certainly not a great post process editor and retoucher, I know the basics but I’m getting more into high-end beauty and different styles. With hard work, determination, and education I will soon find my knowledge and skills improving and my practice rising to a standard that sets me apart from the rest of the pack

So, as you know, we’re impressed with Photographer – tell our readers more, for example what you’re most proud of as a company and what sets you apart from others.
My photography started with a lot of landscape and street photography. I have had interest in people and their everyday lives, I would often walk the streets and meet certain people and homeless people and I would ask them a little about themselves and ask if I can take their photo. A lot of times I am hesitant because I’m pretty shy, sometimes it worked out sometimes it didn’t.

I specialize in portrait photography now, as San Diego is full of great photographers but a lot of them are Wedding, engagements, and family photos. I want to bring more of the fashion side of portrait photography in San Diego. I’m always learning and willing to try new styles to shoot whether it be high fashion, conceptual fine art, cosplay etc. I’m always trying to switch it up.

Let’s touch on your thoughts about our city – what do you like the most and least?
The perks about San Diego is the weather of course! it’s usually around 72 degrees and always sunny. We can shoot a beach portrait session in the middle of winter and hardly be cold. San Diego is smaller than most cities so it’s easy to access for different locations. You can drive from the beach to the mountains in 1 hour and everything in between. Oh and the Mexican food !!

There’s not much to dislike about this city, but my main argument would be that San Diego, of all the major cities LA, SF, CHI, NY, they have an art culture. I think our lack of an art culture is because the general conservative frame of mind is here. But its slowly starting to build up with places like Bread & Salt and La Bodega art galleries in Barrio Logan as well as places in North Park popping up.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.armandodiazphoto.com/
• Phone: 619-467-6470
• Email: armandodiazphoto@armandodiazphoto.com
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/a.diaz_flickz/
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ArmandoDiazPhotography/

Image Credit:
Carla Nicholson, Mikaela Holmes, Jordan Brown, Melissa Staub, Sherazade

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