Today we’d like to introduce you to Cambria Raggio.
Cambria, can you briefly walk us through your story – how you started and how you got to where you are today.
“You are a mess, but you’re a beautiful mess.” Those were the words that changed it all. Never before have I been so profoundly impacted.
I’ve always been drawn to the full spectrum of human emotion. There is something so beautiful about the chaos, mess, and redemption of the human experience. I didn’t know it when I was younger, but my belief in this beauty would lead me to find what I am most passionate about: telling stories and being involved in them.
I was at the end of high school when I, like everyone else, was faced with the task of determining what to do with the rest of my life (simple really). The problem was I didn’t know and I had hardly thought about it. It felt like my oncoming adulthood had shown up unexpectedly soon. My childhood aspiration that I had always held onto was to become a veterinarian. As it turns out, I was not inclined to follow that path (math and science were not my strengths). I was left sorting it out when I discovered two things: I loved telling stories and I loved being part of people’s stories. I found both of these desires were right in front of me the entire time, but I had never noticed. In high school, I took videography as an elective. In that class, we learned the art of filmmaking both technically and emotionally. We learned how to edit, import, export, render, etc. but we also learned how to tell a good story. I became enthralled with the art. Beyond this though, Mr. Clark, the teacher of the course, showed each of us that he was invested in our future. He made a difference in my life as a student and I realized that I wanted to make that same impact.
Today, I chase the dream by pursuing my two passions: a storyteller as a photographer and videographer at Cambria Bailey Photo & Film and a teacher at the junior high level. In both worlds, I get to work with people, be involved in their story and, in the case of photo and film, find a way to tell people’s stories in an authentic and real way.
That’s the key.
Anyone can tell a worthwhile story, but the best stories are the ones that are honest and authentic. It took me too long to figure that out. When I started taking photos and making videos, I was a secretly self-absorbed teen capturing my friends and I being silly. It all changed though when I got to college. While on a retreat in the mountains, 9 words would change my life forever. “You are a mess, but you’re a beautiful mess.” A beautiful mess. It changed everything. Suddenly, I didn’t see my struggles as something that negatively impacted me or made me less valuable. I didn’t feel the need to wear the mask of perfection to make an impact. I could be broken and still have an incredible story to tell. Those words not only affected the way I viewed my life but also my purpose in my work.
It’s easy to hide behind our social media and make our lives seem so much more perfect than they are. When we do this though, we are missing the real beauty in life by cutting out all the undesirable parts like they are weeds to our garden. In truth, the messy moments are the moments we and the people around us can learn the most from. When we boldly live out and tell our stories with authenticity, we inspire others to do the same.
In both my art and teaching, I remain convicted to the calling of being authentic. I teach my students to see life for what it is, to always seek to grow, and that they add value to the world. I encourage them to be their true selves always. In my photography and filmmaking, I seek the same for my clients. My desire is to capture a moment in time for my clients, to step into their world and help them hold onto a memory. However, what I want most out of each photo and film I make is for that client to feel their story was told with intentionality and that they got to be who they truly were.
I’m thankful every day for the opportunity to make a difference, whether in the lives of my students or in the lives of my clients. I hope that at the end of it all, I encouraged those around me to feel their story has weight, no matter how difficult or easy the road has been.
Life is a mess, but it is a beautiful mess.
Overall, has it been relatively smooth? If not, what were some of the struggles along the way?
The biggest factor in the near derailment of the things I am passionate about has always been doubt. Doubt that I had what it takes, doubt that I had something to offer, doubt that people would be receptive… there are so many ways that we can kill dreams before we even start, but doubt is one of the most prominent.
Doubt shows up most when I begin to compare myself to others in my field. I see photographers capturing stunning images and filmmakers sharing the most inspiring stories and I fell behind. I instantly began to wonder if I even deserve the title. Particularly as a young woman, I feel the need to prove myself and “catch up” to everyone else.
The truth is we are never behind. One person’s path to success is going to look dramatically different from others around them. Just because you may not be as far along in your work as you had imagined you might be, does not mean that you are failing. Seeing others around you succeed does not mean that you will never accomplish the same goals.
Your journey is your journey. Everything will come together as you press on towards your goals, but only on its own timeline, not yours or anyone else’s.
What should we know about Cambria Bailey Photo & Film? What do you do best? What sets you apart from the competition?
As a photographer and videographer, I have the privilege to shoot a wide range of sessions from individuals, families, and couples to weddings and events. In all my work, I strive to tell the story as it happened. I often tell my clients to “pretend that I am not here” or that I am “just a ghost.” I work hard to reflect this in my art by shooting photos and videos organically as they are produced.
During my sessions, I give my clients directives that get them moving and interacting, rather than just posing them like a still life. I find that there are two advantages to this. First, it gives my clients the opportunity to represent themselves authentically. This isn’t a “cookie-cutter” photo session; it is a photo session tailor-made to represent you. Second, it makes it fun. Let’s be honest, not everyone loves having their photos or video taken. By making my sessions interactive and even playful, it takes the stress out of feeling like the spotlight is on those clients who are maybe shy about being in front of the camera.
Choosing Cambria Bailey Photo and Film to photograph or film your event is choosing to have your story told with intentionality. I’m going to work hard to make sure that all the memories we capture represent you and tell your story in the most authentic way possible.
Who do you look up to? How have they inspired you?
First and foremost, the most inspiring woman in my life is my mom. The older I get, the more I realized how much she sacrificed to give me the best life possible. She taught me so much about perseverance in the face of adversity, loving others well, and using my gifts to make the world a better place. I can’t count the number of times I would have given up if it weren’t for her. She’s my constant in the chaos of life and I am so thankful.
Second, I am so incredibly thankful for my friend, Abigail Tonda. From the time that we met in college sitting on a bench talking about everything we were afraid of out of the future, I knew that we would be friends forever. She has been by my side through it all and even in times when I didn’t deserve it. She builds me up, gives me hope when I feel lost, and has shown me the blessing of unconditional love. I can’t say enough about what her friendship means to me.
Contact Info:
- Website: www.Cambria-Bailey.com
- Email: cambriaraggio@gmail.com
- Instagram: Cbphoto_Film
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/CBPhotoFilm/
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