Oct-Nov 2017 Featured Dance Photographer
Patricia Martinez - Canela PhotographyPatricia Martinez – Canela Photography
This month’s featured photographer is Patricia Martinez of Canela Photography. She has some stunning work and a funny story to share. We hope you enjoy her interview and pictures. Leave a comment!
Business Name: Canela Photography
Owner: Patricia Martinez
Telephone and website: (858)945-0665 www.canelaphoto.com
Social Media Info: https://m.facebook.com/CanelaPhotography/
@canela_photography
DA: Why did you get into Photography?
Patty: Photography has been a lifelong fascination of mine. As a child, I could lose myself in photographs for hours. At around 9 or 10 I found my mother’s rangefinder in the storage closet. She let me keep it with a warning that she wasn’t able to figure out how to get consistently good images. I finished off the film that was still in the camera. After developing I realized that most images were bad, out of focus or blurry. It was the challenge of figuring out how to capture an image that got me hooked.
DA: What is your favorite location to shoot?
Patty: I don’t quite have one location that is my favorite. I do have favorite elements like cloudy, blue skies, a beautiful sunset or a good mural as a backdrop.
DA: Who inspires you as a photographer?
Patty: At the moment I find inspiration in the dancers I photograph. Ballet requires dedication and sacrifice and the results are beautiful. I admire the amount of work that goes into a few hours or moments on stage. To try and capture some essence of the dancer is what inspires me.
DA: Do you have a personal favorite shot (or two)?
Patty: One of my favorite shots is from a concept shoot we did of Bella at a mural. I had admired the colors and the artwork of this mural for a while. It has a giant pair of eyes that just look at you and even though they are larger than life, they are beautiful and unimposing. I feel it was a successful shot that captured the concept we intended. Collaborating with Bella always yields excellent results.
DA: If you could have the perfect photoshoot…who and where?
Patty: Wow, this is a difficult question;, especially for a recovering perfectionist… Perfection, in my opinion, is unattainable and a heartbreaker. I’ve come to learn that I can only see “perfect” in retrospect. If this is a dream photoshoot, I would say Sergey Pollunin in Camden Town, London.
DA: What is one piece of equipment that you could not live without?
Patty: I definitely could not live without some form of a picture taker. My son said to me “the camera to a photographer is like the heart to a human” and I agree.
DA: Any advice to help dancers relax when having a photoshoot?
Patty: It is important for the subject to be comfortable in order to truly capture them. I find it helps to start off with simple poses to warm up and get to know each other’s rhythms. Involving the dancer artistically and collaborating helps too.
DA: How can someone get in touch with you?
Patty: The best way to get in touch with me would be via direct message on Instagram @canela_photography
DA: What is the best place to view your work online?
Patty: You can see some of my work on Instagram @canela_photography or on my website www.canela_photography.com
DA: If you have any funny stories to share we’d love to know 🙂
Patty: I learned to not walk and take pictures the hard way. Many years ago when I got my first digital camera. We went for a trip to New York. I was feeling quite liberated with the new fact of limitless images and instant gratification. At the same time, my companions were non-photographers and didn’t share my necessity to stop and take pictures every ten steps. While walking in the subway to catch our next train, I was trying to photograph things. It was not rush hour so the subway was relatively empty and so I thought it was safe to walk and photograph. At the same time, a very rushed New Yorker ran into me. The next thing I know is the searing pain in my face and I’m going backward. I managed to stay on my feet camera safely in hand. I faintly registered his rushed apology. I didn’t even get a good look at him as my eyes were watery and I was more concerned with the state of my nose. I had no time to dwell in the embarrassing moment because I had to catch up to my people. Nobody had a clue of what had happened to me.
So glad we got a chance to talk to Patty! Please check out her photos below and leave a message for her in the comments! Have an idea for our next feature? Use the contact form and let us know!
Dance On!! – DanceAdvisor.com 🙂
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Congratulations Patty, you are amazing and so talented! I LOVE shooting with you! Well deserved!!
Wonderful job, the scenery makes you want to be there too, beautiful, congrats.
Congrats Patty! Your amazing we just love all of the pictures and the locations that you & Carolyn venture to.