We recently connected with Mateo Serna Zapata and have shared our conversation below.
Mateo, thank you so much for joining us today. Let’s jump right into something we’re really interested in hearing about from you – being the only one in the room. So many of us find ourselves as the only woman in the room, the only immigrant or the only artist in the room, etc. Can you talk to us about how you have learned to be effective and successful in situations where you are the only one in the room like you?
Take a deep breath in. Exhale slowly.
I am alive and fully experiencing this wonderful thing called life.
I am alone in this moment, and I am keeping myself company.
The thoughts I choose to focus on are for my own benefit and well-being.
Above all else, I am human.
My purpose is to grow and evolve continuously.
My mission is to express myself fully and authentically.
Appreciate the insights and wisdom. Before we dig deeper and ask you about the skills that matter and more, maybe you can tell our readers about yourself?
“You don’t make a photograph just with a camera. You bring to the act of photography all the pictures you have seen, the books you have read, the music you have heard, the people you have loved.”
— Ansel Adams
I find inspiration in this quote which motivates me to always strive for my best. Photography, specifically capturing light, is my way of comprehending the world around me.
I believe that everything has patterns and that we, as human beings, are simply geometry interacting with energy in the form of light. Although we may appear different, we are more similar than we realize, yet still express ourselves in our unique ways.
Through the lens of a camera, I capture the vibrancy of colors and the intricate details of anatomy. However, my intuition leads me to portray these elements in a way that is open to interpretation.
There is so much advice out there about all the different skills and qualities folks need to develop in order to succeed in today’s highly competitive environment and often it can feel overwhelming. So, if we had to break it down to just the three that matter most, which three skills or qualities would you focus on?
-Starting with why. -The importance of community.
-Exercise.
-Your why is your purpose. It’s your reason to get up in the morning and ‘get to work’. It is the fuel to your engine. It has to be so powerful, and you have to believe it so deeply that you tackle every obstacle life throws at you. Why are you doing what you’re doing? Why do you want to do what you want to do?
Why? Answer this for yourself. Discover your self. Know who you are.
-Community is strength. Find community/build community. Share ideas and help each other grow.
Collaborate.
The world is big enough for everyone to thrive. We must do so together by remembering that everyone has something to teach you, so shut up and listen.
Alone you’ll go fast; Together you’ll go far.
-Give yourself the strength necessary to keep on going. Push-ups are one of the best exercises; you are literally PUSHING yourself UP!
Build your foundation (body) strong! Find the exercises/movements that work best for you (what you love to do).
Keep on moving, and train your body AND YOUR MIND to be resilient.
Take care of yourself to then take care of the world.
One of our goals is to help like-minded folks with similar goals connect and so before we go we want to ask if you are looking to partner or collab with others – and if so, what would make the ideal collaborator or partner?
I am always looking for humans to collaborate with. Specifically, humans that use their bodies to express themselves: Performance Artists, Dancers, Musicians, Athletes, Gymnasts, muscle builders……. and creatives that capture the body and movement: photo/video, paint/draw/tattoo, sculpt, choreograph.
You can email me at: mateo@mszfoto.com
Contact Info:
- Website: mateoseza.com
- Instagram: @mateo.seza
- Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/mateo-serna-zapata-07b716120/
- Other: https://www.mateosernazapata.com/
https://vimeo.com/mateoseza
Image Credits
Mateo Serna Zapata
