We had the good fortune of connecting with Ana Garcia and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Ana, we’d love to hear more about how you thought about starting your own business?
I’ve always wanted to pursue a career around being creative and what better way to do it than starting your own business. I wanted to offer something that others don’t. Life happens so fast and we could miss the little things as well as the big moments. I loved the idea of capturing them for you to enjoy it on a regular basis. The thought of seeing my photos in homes and offices of others brought me joy. It meant that they truly loved my work and wanted to have that daily reminder of that memory.

Alright, so let’s move onto what keeps you busy professionally?
I have always loved art. I took art class each year in school and received my bachelor’s degree in fine art, specifically drawing. My series was using abstract lines in a chaotic but confined way. I suffered from daily headaches and used drawing to alleviate the pain. The dynamics of a headache are locked in a chaotic confinement. This controlled system of mark-making contained my condition by turning an uncomfortable negative state into a creative positive one. I’ve always had an interest in photography too. I carried a camera with me every where I went since I got my first 35mm point-and-shoot one in my early teens. I took classes to learn how to develop my own film and print my photographs. The camera doesn’t do all the work, It is just a tool. You need to learn to use the camera to its fullest. The best way is to practice and figure out what each function does. I used what I learned from my professor and books to use my camera to document what I love. I love photographing nature, landscapes, sunsets, beaches and much more. I feel that everyone should see the beauty in nature. My work captures those places so you don’t miss it and can enjoy it on a regular basis. The way I feel about nature is also the same way I feel about those moments in time we share with one another, family, friends, and ourselves. Without it being documented, one may forget what happened, how you looked, and how you felt, years down the line. I want to help you capture and preserve those memories and events and to share with loved ones for years to come.

Any great local spots you’d like to shoutout?
I just love this question. I believe South Florida has so much to see on a daily basis. There is something to see for everyone. The first thing that people think of when they hear Miami, they think of the beach. While the beach is not technically in Miami, it is in Miami-Dade County, in neighboring cities. You can go to South Beach, Miami Beach, Key Biscayne, and Cape Florida to name a few. Broward County has some beautiful beaches too. There’s Hollywood, Pompano, Fort Lauderdale and Dania. Besides the beach, there are National Parks that I would take you to. We have Biscayne and Everglades, as well has Big Cypress National Preserve. I have taken photos at each of these places over the years, especially the Everglades. You can see how much they grow and change. Now for everyone’s favorite question to ask on a daily basis… where do you want to eat. Well South Florida has all kinds of options. If you’re not from around here and a local is taking you somewhere to eat, I would say they will probably take you to eat Cuban food. I will forewarn you. If you have never had a shot of Cuban coffee, just start off with a small one. The caffeine intake might have you bounce off the walls. After you’ve had it quite a few times, you’ll get used to it and want it a couple of times a day, if you’re a coffee drinker.

The Shoutout series is all about recognizing that our success and where we are in life is at least somewhat thanks to the efforts, support, mentorship, love and encouragement of others. So is there someone that you want to dedicate your shoutout to?
I want to give my first shoutout to my artist friend Gianna DiBartolomeo. We went to college together where we studied art. She has always encouraged me to put my work out there, both my drawings and my photography. When we are making new work or exhibit them, we show up to support each other. She is very kind, inspiring and supportive. Her art involves emotion that happens all around us. Her concept on how to present these emotions are amazing. She finds a way to speak about these emotions visually when we can’t find the words. My next shoutout is to my favorite community, Tuesdays Together Miami. I have been part of this community since their first year. It is a community filled with amazing people who encourage one another and I get to call them my friends. The Rising Tide Society hosts local meetups, called Tuesdays Together, all around the world. The meetups are for creative small business owners who have a desire to share their knowledge, learn from their peers and grow together. We are a community that share common interests and goals. We don’t network to develop contacts. We educate and empower one another in the spirit of community over competition. Our neighbor chapter is the Tuesdays Together Fort Lauderdale which I also attend their meetups. We have joint quarterly meetings together too. I leave every meeting feeling very inspired. You can feel the support and empowerment.

Website: https://www.anagarciaphoto.com/
Instagram: https://instagram.com/anagarciaphoto
Twitter: https://www.twitter.com/anagarciaphotog
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/AnaGarciaPhotography
Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC_PDCrC0eZw8vcPr4lRRtLw
Other: Blog: https://www.anagarciaphoto.net
Pinterest: https://www.pinterest.com/anagarciaphotos
Stock photography: https://www.shutterstock.com/g/anagarciaphoto
Drawings on Saatchi Art: https://www.saatchiart.com/anagarciaphoto