Anatalia Anaïs Zavaleta
Anatalia Anaïs Zavaleta
Photographer / Content Creator / Mixed Medium Artist
Los Angeles, CA
www.anatalia.co
instagram @az_fotos
WHAT DO YOU DO?
“I create to tell a story.”
I’m a commercial photographer focusing on beauty, portrait, and lifestyle. Creating fun content like collages, gifs, and short videos is just some of the perks of my abilities.
WHAT STEPS DID YOU TAKE TO GET TO WHERE YOU ARE NOW?
As a kid, I was either with my nose in a book or a sketchbook in my hand. I drew comics and read them to my parents, and did little dance parties in my room. My mind has always had narratives in it’s head pushing to come out. Luckily, I was born into a family of creatives where my parents pushed me to find my passion. After scamming my family over who did and did not give me lunch money, I was able to save up for my first camera in the 5th grade.
From this point on, I was the photographer friend. I tested out of high school at 16 and found myself a mentor through a Photo Booth job at the circus (yes, it was as cool as it sounds) Through his knowledge, and my own self learning I was able to become a house photographer at a small local theater and a headshot photographer.
I have worked countless jobs from this point to now - whether it was being a full time executive assistant at a biomedical company or being an usher at film festivals, the one constant of being a photographer pushing me forward. I finally found myself working at Milk Studios, giving me the art school education to polish my real world experience.
I was raised by a family of immigrants, being first and second generation American - I bring an emphasis on diversity and community. Along the journey that has brought me here, it is the lessons, the hardships, and the adversity my family has faced that pushes my work to be inclusive and authentic.
How do you stand out in your field?
More often that not, I’m told I’m one of the funniest people someone has met. I bring energy, excitement, jokes, and a vast knowledge. I’m a quick thinker, a problem solver, and I have had a diverse work history that bleeds into my work.
WHAT ARE YOU WORKING ON RIGHT NOW?
Easing back into the working world, I’m assisting and shooting product photography. On the personal side, I’m home developing backlogged film, starting a zine, filming a short with my siblings, and dabbling in any new art style I haven’t had the time to try.
WHAT'S YOUR STYLE/PERSPECTIVE/TASTE? DO YOU HAVE A PROJECT THAT REPRESENTS THIS?
I love campy, extra, and adventurous. When it comes to portraits what matters most is representing the person themselves. However, if it’s for myself I was raised on John Waters, David Lynch, and Wes Anderson - and Tim Walker being my biggest inspiration I try to create a world in each image.
WE ARE ALL SLASHIES WITH MULTIPLE SKILLS, WHICH ONE DO YOU WISH YOU COULD DO MORE OFTEN?
Writing - words have always been one of my first loves. Since I was 12 I have said I wanted to be the female Clint Eastwood “Write, direct and produce my own movies” As of now, I mostly use my writing for free form poetry but would love to focus it for comedy and film.
WHAT IS FRUSTRATING YOU RIGHT NOW?
I have this idea in my head that I’m more sellable in person, so it definitely is a struggle right now to not only have to network through digital but even collaborate/work that way.
IF YOU COULD HIRE SOMEONE FOR $20/HR, WHAT WOULD YOU HAVE THEM DO TO MAKE YOUR DAY EASIER?
I would have them handle my schedule, and do research for clients and grants.
LET'S BRING OUT THE TIME MACHINE. WHAT DO YOU WISH YOU COULD HAVE TOLD YOURSELF, WHEN, AND WHY?
Every step of the way I would say “Stop overthinking, you know what you’re doing” I am so worried about not knowing, I don't always realizing I’m already doing it.
IF YOU COULD TALK TO AN EXPERT TO GAIN MORE INSIGHT ON SOMETHING, WHAT WOULD IT BE ABOUT?
For the nerd in me, a lot of theory questions. But overall, a lot of networking, cold call/email questions.
WHAT KIND OF OPPORTUNITIES/PROJECTS ARE YOU LOOKING FOR?
I love working with companies I can support that use their voice to empower and inspire their local and global communities. And a project that is reoccurring is my fave.
DESCRIBE YOUR IDEAL JOB/CLIENT/COLLABORATION.
I love working with a team that feels collaborative and we’re all friends on set. I want to work for companies that I love to shop for.
Companies that inspire creativity and personality while giving back to their local communities are ideal for me! Being from LA - I love to work with LA brands / artists and further uplift my home.
HOW SHOULD SOMEONE APPROACH YOU ABOUT WORKING TOGETHER?
Email is great! If you want to get right to business, or shoot me a dm thru my ig @az_fotos! Talk to me like we're old friends and it'll be smooth sailing.
HOW DO YOU STAY CREATIVE?
I listen to myself - sometimes I'm stunted because I'm in the wrong medium for the emotion. So it really has been just learning what feeds what art for me.
This member profile was originally published in August 2020.