As a child, when she was given a camera for seven years, looking through the viewfinder, she was fascinated to see the world that way. And although it has not been his initial profession, since he studied Nursing, then became Matron And I study Humanities, now the Photography It is his work, his passion and his lifestyle.
It was always like that, really, but circumstances led him to learn about other studies that today have given him a better knowledge to take pictures that he does. Began his career path, seriously, in 2008 after two years of learning as an amateur. Although in 2010 he worked in a photo studio, since 2011 he has returned to work as before (at home and reaching all places in Spain).
He tells us that, in this way, creativity is much greater when changing spaces and adapting to the needs of customers. Although he loves documentary photography of people and portrait, before society what I do wedding photography and, with much love, family and children's photography. During this time he has made exhibitions, received some awards as a photographer and also participates in the Special Souls project, which I told you in Xataka Foto, today.
BABIES AND MORE: Why photography of children and babies?
ANA CRUZ: The photography of children and babies for me is the link of love that I feel for the little ones, for my ease of relating to them, the link between my other facets such as Matrona and the type of photography that most It allows me to express myself freely and with great creativity.
Within children's photography, which part do you like the most?
Within children's photography I enjoy a lot with all ages. I think every little one has his moment. Newborns for how special they are, babies 6 to 10 months for their expressiveness without limits and from 2 years because they simply do not stop and you can do a thousand things with them. These would be the best ages for me, because of my photography.
How do you prepare a session with a baby? and with a child?
I prepare all the sessions with the parents. I ask them what kind of photographs they like, what they have seen on my website, what jobs have caught their attention, what facet of their little one they want to highlight more: fun, intimate, their routines, in short, what they want.
Space is also important for photography, props for sessions and clothing. Both are issues in which I try to advise parents. For example, the light in the place where we are will give a variety of possibilities that will influence the most artistic part of the photographs. Many parents leave me free on these issues and I think it is a safe bet to have good photographs because I am always looking for as well as experience, which gives me a skill that parents do not usually have.
I currently use several means to be in contact with parents and prepare the photo session together: email, telephone, face-to-face appointment, conference by Skipe or the acquaintance wasap.
What does an experienced photographer contribute to a family and / or children's photography session?
On the one hand we all have an imprint and an expression of the reality we live. And on the other we know that each photographer, when he has technical skills, can create a personal and unique style. The photographs we take express how we are and how we look. For me photography is a means of communication and with it I express myself.
The empathy of the photos with the client, in this case the parents, is what leads them to ask for a photo session. That is why the experience not only gives me some technical skills but a greater expressive capacity for how I see the world of children and the family.
For me, photography is a precious opportunity to give parents images about how I see their little one, who he is and how they are as a family. At this point I think that my photographic ability intermingles, my knowledge that I acquired through the humanities degree, a sensibility exacerbated by my midwife profession, and my particular passion for babies and children. The parents who hire me know that they will receive for this reason some photographs with a special sensitivity: spontaneous, delicate, close and with a lot of emotional charge.
Tell us some funny anecdotes that occurred during a children's photo session?
A lot of anecdotes, especially for children's reactions. Anecdotes that mark my work in a few special way because all the sessions leave me with a unique memory, as are the children. I am unable to choose, but if I talk about each job I could tell you the experience with great love. With the little ones you have fun, even with them you learn. They have a very particular language and a vision of their surroundings that I appreciate very much as adults sometimes move away from the true nature that moves us.
I love to remember how I take the photos I play with the little ones, how the parents are surprised to see their son interacting with me or the love that he and I take each other sharing that couple of hours that the photo session lasts. I make them protagonists in the photo sessions and they make me their accomplice of games.
With these ingredients the magic is formed and very special photos are taken for the family. Children's photography makes parents excited and the kid has those photos for his whole life. I find it so beautiful that I feel grateful in each session. It is true that all parents could take beautiful pictures of their children, although a view from outside by another person: by a photographer, it will show them a more complete and different perspective not influenced by their own subjectivity.
Thank you very much Ana, it has been a pleasure to have you and tell us through your photographs.
To you for the opportunity you have given me to show my work. I would love that children's photography had more echo and relevance in Spain.
In Xataka Photo | Special Souls, discover your most supportive photographic side
