Meet Nissania Trujillo

Today we’d like to introduce you to Nissania Trujillo.

Nissania, before we jump into specific questions, why don’t you give us some details about you and your story.
Long before I was ever an idea, my pops wanted to get away from his not so ideal family, travel the world, and take photos. He only ever got as far as Mexico. He met my mom a few years ago and convinced her that is how they would make it in the world.

With his old Canon film camera in hand, and a basic kit lens. They would go door to door in the pueblos and randomly ask whomever was there if they wanted their photo taken. Most people would refuse of course. They are old farmers and have never seen a camera in their life. Some just fed my parents instead because they were wasting away from having literally only a few pennies to their name.

Fast forward to me existing now, as a little girl. As far back as I can remember, I would spend hours looking through these hundreds and hundreds of photos my dad took. To this day, they are expertly composed and very artistic. I grew up in rural town of Rainbow Valley AZ, not a lot of fancy stores or technology. So those photos and my dad’s collection of movies on laserdiscs and what is now vintage music on CDs are to me what shaped me. It is what I refer back to in my mind, how these songs and photos make me feel whenever I look and listen to them.

So, after high school, I went to ASU for film school. During that time, I worked Copper Postdigital. One of the greatest moments there was becoming assistant editor to the movie they did post on, “Blood Into Wine.” About Maynard James Keenan from the band Tool and his vineyard. Which, did I mention Tool is to this day my soul’s lifeblood in music? Since then, I’ve worked in several companies from GoDaddy, Blade, and freelance. I’ve continued to push my film career and I’ve never stopped taking photos along the process. I am currently trying to get my photography business more sustainable and looking to venture into more concert and travel work.

Has it been a smooth road?
It is never a smooth road trying to create a career in anything artistic. I started out in college with basically no money. We just didn’t have any. At some point, I had a full course load of school work and three part-time jobs. And no car.

Then things get a little easier, slowly. I met a friend who no longer needed his car. So it was gifted to me. I got a little bit better job, and I graduated. I learned from a very early age that hard work can get you where you want to go. What I am still learning is that it takes time. I was doing fairly well in my career: better pay, better jobs, better experience. But added to all that is meeting people who do not want you to succeed. I’ve seen pettiness and cattiness in its ugliest forms. Laziness rears its head in people and they rather take away accomplishments than work themselves to get to the level they want.

We’d love to hear more about your work.
My business is still fresh and still in the works to getting my name out there. We, as in I and a few trusted hands, specialize in family photography and commercial video. I am the camera girl, editor and colorist. What set’s us apart is that I like to focus on the artistic side of the image. Make it a little rough, organic and not necessarily too polished and therefore the same. All while still keeping the traits that make my images and footage look professional and quality work.

Recently I made a music video for an upcoming musician. It was a zero budget but I really like how it turned out.

Here is a link: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xOEjUki1xUU

Is our city a good place to do what you do?
I think Phoenix is a great place to start out in the film and commercial business. We are not a large community and we don’t have a lot of work, but there are some amazing professionals I’ve gotten to know over the last decade. And to me, what sets us apart is how we all act like a family, passing along whoever has the drive and passion our knowledge, and sending each other work when we can.

Contact Info:

• Website: www.nissaniatrujillo.com
• Email: nissaniaphotography@gmail.com
• Instagram: nissaniaphotography
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/nissaniatrujillophotography/

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