Meet Ana Inés de Barruel Saint Pons | Photographer

We had the good fortune of connecting with Ana Inés de Barruel Saint Pons and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Ana Inés, what do you want people to remember about you?
What was your thought process behind starting your own business?

There were several things. First, I connected a lot with photography during a period in my life when I traveled and lived outside my country. Second, after becoming a mother I felt an urgency to manifest what I really wanted for myself. I was determined that I wanted to dedicate myself to photography in a professional way and build my business. This implied not only continuing to learn photography but also other necessary tools, such as: marketing, how to sell my services, social networks, etc.

What’s one thing about your industry that outsiders are probably unaware of?

I think there are people who may not know the photographic process in its entirety, and maybe that’s why they reduce it to something simple. But there are many others who really value it and are willing to pay for high quality work.

Risk taking: how do you think about risk, what role has taking risks played in your life/career?

I think that, like everyone, I have mixed emotions. On one hand I am very fearful, but on the other hand I have drive and courage, since the emotional cost of not taking risks is much, much higher. Going that way will undoubtedly have frustrations and uncomfortable sensations. But my goal is to try, to get through fear. There, on the other side, there is the person I want to be.

Other than deciding to work for yourself, what was the single most important decision you made that contributed to your success?

Traveling and living in other places was undoubtedly one of the best decisions I made in my life. The limits of our culture: our neighborhood, our group of friends and family. They are just that: limits. It’s great to be able to go beyond these limits and be permeable to other ways, to other cultures. It is a fabulos way to enrich ourselves and get to know ourselves.

What is the most important factor behind your success / the success of your brand?

I am genuine, I always try to contribute with something new, something that exceeds the limits. I show my vulnerability by opening up to others and I believe in working together with the client, I like the sharing part of the process. That human and sensitive feedback between us is what makes the work incredible.

What’s the most difficult decision you’ve ever had to make?

When I got pregnant with my first child I decided to return to my country, although my husband did not want to return, he supported me in my decision. I felt the need to be surrounded by my family and friends, since it was a unique moment. I felt a very strong urge to go back to my place, to the origins. I don’t regret it, but I would like to have another experience abroad again.

Work life balance: how has your balance changed over time? How do you think about the balance?

For me, balance is the harmony between what I like to do, what it costs me to do it and what I must do. Or in other words: sacrifice. This time of my life is marked by a great satisfaction of being able to grow in what I like, while taking care of my children and my house on a full time basis. All this could not be possible if it weren’t for my husband and my family, who help me, encourage me and support me every day to be able to grow in this challenging world that is the entrepreneurship.

Do you have a favorite quote or affirmation? What does it mean to you / what do you like about it?

Yes, I am a big fan of quotes, they are very helpful I think. One that I love is: “I beg your pardon I didn’t recognise you – I’ve changed a lot.” By Oscar Wilde. I love this Irish writer. He usually depicts episodes of everyday life with a lot of humor and ingenuity. I’m very fond of this quote because it is very daring, the author managed to cleverly solve this dynamic of projections between people and the passing of time. Many times we believe that the ones who change are the others, but in fact the ones who change are us and so does our way of perceiving reality.

Why did you pursue an artistic or creative career?

Because it is my place of happiness and my natural tendency. I don’t have to make a single minute of effort to do it. Having discovered that I can live on something that I am passionate about, only makes me want to continue learning and be better. And it puts me on a level of certain privilege and at the same time a lot of responsibility, because I will probably succeed to the extent that I really make an effort towards it.

What do you want your legacy to be? What do you want people to remember about you?

I want people to be able to be authentic, to show themselves as they are. Don’t be afraid to go for your desires, and if you are afraid, go anyway with fear. It seems like a utopia but I defend this with all my heart. We are all creators and artists of our own lives. And only being genuine we will be able to find that person who needs us, our value, our talent, our services, or our friendship. We just have to generate the space to be inspired by the resources that enhance that state. In my case, it’s music. And at the same time, fundamentally, to make the error and the frustration part of the process. I say all this more to myself than to others, but I want to share it because I would like people to remember me for being a good person, someone you can trust, a good friend.

Let’s talk shop? Tell us more about your career, what can you share with our community?
I am proud to be able to be an entrepreneur while being a mother. Both are tough challenges. Professionally I feel I still have a lot to learn and experience. No, it’s not easy, but it’s good that it’s happening, so I can learn more. I have learned that you have to be very patient and tolerant with yourself. My brand is something that is not yet defined, it’s something I’m still exploring, there are many areas in photography and I love many of them. I am passionate about portraits, street photography, documentary and travel and lifestyle photography.

Any places to eat or things to do that you can share with our readers? If they have a friend visiting town, what are some spots they could take them to?
I would take him on a city tour in the city and then to important places, classics. But what I would most like to show are those places frequented by locals. Places to eat, listen to good music and also museums. But the most important thing is to walk as much as possible.

Who else deserves some credit and recognition?
All my family, specially my mother and my husband.

Website: https://anadebarruel2bf1.myportfolio.com/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/anadebarruel

Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/anadebarruel

Image Credits
all photos are mine