My Journey

I was born in Guanajuato, Mexico. I was 3 years of age when my family left the country. My mother liked to take pictures and I could spend hours looking at the photos she had taken. She would keep them in a large blue suitcase with nothing else but photos. It has always impressed me how time changes things without us noticing, until we see an image of what someone was and what they have become. And these images become more and more impressive and special as time passes.

I was 13 years old when I went back to Mexico for the first time. I bought two disposable film cameras for my exciting trip. I thought it would be enough for a 2 week trip. Boy was I wrong! I remember my shots counting down very quickly. I was very careful with how I used my remaining shots. This made me compose and think about what I was shooting and if I really needed that memory or not. Even though I wanted to take a picture of everything, I had to choose what really was important and what would make a story. I would actually ask myself: is this worth keeping forever? If it was not worth it, I would not press the shutter button. These images made it to my mothers collection of photos. I still look at them from time to time.

At a car show in Dallas GA

After this trip I did not continue to take pictures until I got my first smart phone in 2010. This was the main feature I liked about the phone. What I was really into was images that could potentially tell a story with the compliment of typography and cars. Photo editing apps were becoming popular at the time so it made it easy for me to edit on my phone and share on social media. This was a big pass time late in the nights when I could not fall asleep. Every new phone I got revolved around the camera system. I continued to use my smart phones until I got my first digital camera in 2019.

I remember being very intrigued by the Fujifilm x series, that a few photographer I followed at the time were using. I needed something that would motivate me to go out and shoot. Something that allowed me to improve in manual mode. Something that was low key and would allow me to photograph the streets. (my favorite type of photography) With a low budget I went with, nothing other than, the Fujifilm x100. this was hands down a huge jump in my photography journey. I took it everywhere! This camera made it so easy to enjoy shooting in manual mode. I highly recommend any Fujifilm camera to anyone starting with photography or anyone that wants to improve their knowledge and understand ISO, shutter speed and aperture.

Since then I have stayed with Fujifilm. Although I have experimented with other cameras such as Nikon and Canon, I always return to Fujifilm. Nothing against other cameras but it is just what I got used to using. It still motivates me, it is less intimidating, user friendly, and very great image quality.

Sad to say that this story is to be continued. But for now I want to challenge you. Buy a one time use Kodak film cameras and make the best out of the limited shots you have. This exercise will push you to press less and think more. And not to mention that it is fun! If you enjoy it, I recommend the reusable Kodak M35 35mm Film Camera Ultra F9. Post on Instagram and tag me. Can't wait to see see your images!

#fujifilm #filmcamera #kodak