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MEET PHOTOGRAPHER AMANDA SAVIÑON.

Photograph taken by Elias Alcántara

pas·sion·ate pho·tog·ra·pher adj/noun:

-One who practices the art of photography; especially: one who nurtures this art with his/her emotions, such as love, joy or fervor.

“Just because you own an expensive camera, does not mean you are a good photographer.” I've read that so many times and regardless of that being true for some people, it’s totally NOT the case for Amanda Saviñon. Even though she owns an amazing camera, she’s a great photographer. Her love for photography started years before being a photographer became somehow “popular”, “in”, and even before most people (like, myself) discovered the beauty of capturing a moment that will never come back.

Expected to graduate with her photography major in May 2012; CUNY lehman College student Amanda Saviñon is currently studying abroad for a semester at the “University of Chile” in Santiago (I know, Lucky her)

As she wastes NO TIME, she’s been there for 4 months and has already traveled throughout Chile with her boyfriend Elias (whom she admires and mentions a lot.)She even photographed President Barack Obama on his last visit to Chile and I can’t forget to mention that she got her photography Press Pass for Lollapalooza Chile 2011 to specially photograph the lovely Kanye West (Yes, I did say lovely.)

Anyways, here are some questions I had for her:

Olga Briceño: I know you're from the Dominican Republic, but how long have you lived New York City?
Amanda Saviñon: I am still a Dominican citizen but I have been living in the States since I was 2 years old and I am 21 years old now.

OB: Are you a self-taught photographer or did you have a mentor?

AS: I have always loved photography and have tried to learn all I could about it, but it wasn’t until I got to college that I learned everything I wanted to know and more. I go to Lehman College of the City University of New York (CUNY).

OB: What inspires you to take pictures?

AS: Ah man, people! I love people, people’s emotions, people’s comfortable and uncomfortable environments, everything about people. Most importantly; I like to capture it on camera. Its raw, real and there is something the camera sees in a person that no one or nothing else sees.

OB: Do you have a favorite photograph that you’ve taken?

AS: (Laughs) Every person I photograph has that one interesting photo that blows my mind. That is my favorite photo, the one photo when I know “I can stop shooting; I have what I want.”

OB: Who is your favorite photographer?

AS: Alfred Stieglitz is a big one, Irving Penn, I can go on forever and ever.

OB: What is your dream job?

AS: Working for a magazine - be the go-to or on-call fashion photographer for that magazine and eventually have my own publication.

OB: What's next for you in your career?

AS: I will be graduating from college in May of 2012. From there I want to build up and work for getting a job that I love and that I consider a hobby more than a job. I refuse to settle so I hope that small fact takes me far enough.

OB: What motivates you?

AS: Every single day - I see the progress I’ve made and that motivates me. Elías (my boyfriend) he inspires the shit out of me, to go all out, to do what I love, to forget about what others think; but to always keep that clean reputation. He tells me everyday that I can do exactly what I want to do and if I put work in I will get my results.

OB: Who do you look up to?

AS: Elías because he like I has gotten very far in life simply by self motivation.

OB: Who gave you your first camera?

AS: [Laughs] My boss bought me my first camera as my year-end bonus. I was happy and I didn’t care that my reward was not money, I was glad it was my beautiful Nikon.

OB: I know you love to travel so what's your favorite city?

AS: I love traveling, I do, but no city has beat New York City [Where she resides]

OB: I know you did a photo internship at Disney, how would you describe your experience?

AS: Well, I met a lot of great people who are art driven, ambitious about life, and made the "boring Florida life" fun actually. I loved meeting the families that came to visit the parks, but the internship itself was not very productive for me. I felt as though I had no room for creativity and a “great picture” was any picture that had a “straight big castle” I was over it after the first two months.

OB: What makes you happy?

AS: People who live their lives, different cultures, new food, airports, WiFi, Elías, photography, the sun, busy days and just life in itself; simple things.

OB: What would you tell someone that's trying to pursue a career in photography?

AS: Simply do it. Do you love it? Do it. Is it going to make you as much money as it would if you were a Doctor or a Lawyer like your family wants you to be? Nope. Should you still pursue? by all means! Be it, live it.

Editor's Note:
I'm lucky of being able to call her a friend and there's no doubt in my mind that she's going to be successful and IS and WILL continue to be a great inspiration for anyone who meets her. She's the perfect example of a person who talks about her dreams and works hard to make them come true. A true one of a kind passionate go-getter-fearless-dreamer; That for me, describes Amanda Saviñon.