Today we’d like to introduce you to Diana Quijada.
Hi Diana, can you start by introducing yourself? We’d love to learn more about how you got to where you are today?
Growing up I’ve always been surrounded by media all my life. My mom loved taking pictures of me when I was younger and would record home videos on her sony handycam. My love for photography has always been with me and it’s such a blessing that I’m able to make this my career.
I remember being fourteen in my yearbook class doing photojournalism as a credit course, but I didn’t expect to fall in love with the whole process. The interviews, going to events, documenting and overall creating a story. I decided to stay in yearbook for the remainder of high school and became the editor in chief of the yearbook my senior year. I saw the passion I had not only for photography but also for telling other peoples stories. I attended Houston City College and graduated with an Assocaite of Applied Science in Digital Communications, specializing in Digital Photography
I’ve also been a music lover my whole life which sparked an idea to me-Why don’t I become a concert photographer? Its technically a two and one! So one day I decided to sneak my camera inside a venue, and that’s when I knew this is what I wanted to do for the rest of my life. Since then, I’ve worked in music venues such as White Oak Music Hall, House of Blues, Concert Cafe, Toyota Center, and many more. I would want to say I did this on my own, but i’m so blessed to have the support of my friends and family who have been by my side when I decided I wanted to make photography my career.
I’m sure it wasn’t obstacle-free, but would you say the journey has been fairly smooth so far?
It definitely has not been a smooth one! It feels like those unexpected pot holes that we have all over Houston where a road can be smooth and them bam ! You hit one. For me, one of my struggles is self doubt. I always ask myself if I did the right thing by choosing this as my career but I always tell myself that everything happens for a reason. I often think that in order for me to get where I want myself to be, there will be a struggle and to be honest thats okay ! Nothing is given, everything is earned.
Thanks – so what else should our readers know about your work and what you’re currently focused on?
As I mentioned earlier, i’m a photographer ! I mainly specialize in concert photography but also do events and portriats here and there. I’m very proud of myself for getting myself out there. Nothing stops me from not doing something I want to. There would be times where I would email managements and would get no response but it never stopped me from not wanting to photography. I love the thrill of creating a concept for a photoshoot and love collaborating with models to get the perfect series of images they’re wanting. I shoot primarily digital but love shooting in film and developing ! I do prints in the darkroom as well as know how to do cyanotype printing ! I love getting hands on with physical media.
Something that i’m very proud of is my participation in Houston exhibitions. My very first one was ” B.T.S” with The Open Door Gallery at the Houston Latino Film Festival. This exhibition was dedicated to showcase what goes on behind film sets that the audience doesn’t get to see. I entered pieces from two films, ” Break Even ” A CineTex Production and ” Beat It 2 ” by WAJ Productions. I didn’t think much of it and decided to just enter and I got in ! This motivated me to continue submitting my photographs and being a featured artist at these exhibitions. I’ve been featured in ” Capturing Houston” by Monad Gallery and currently have a piece up at the Red Bud Arts Center called ” Orca at White Oak Music Hall” as part of the “Emerging Artists” exhibition. I have an upcoming exhibition which i’m very excited for but cant say anything about it, so just wait!
Any advice for finding a mentor or networking in general?
Get yourself out there ! Im so blessed to have had a mentor to have guided me while at Houston City College, Andrea Millette. It’s important to find someone who truly believes in you and she made a difference in how I decided to take on my photography career. I was always very shy when it came to try and ask for help but I learned that I can’t do this alone so having someone to guide you through times like these is very needed!
During my last year at Houston Community College I took an Internship at The Montrose Studios where I met another mentor of mine Maria Alducin. She has guided me through every aspect of this business. Not only did I learn a lot from her on the business side, but also life lessons.
Im truly blessed to have met two wonderful women in this field I can thank for making me the photographer I am, so just be yourself and always ask for help when needed. You never know who you’re talking to and what a difference they can make in your life.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.visuallydi.com/
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/visuallydi/
