We recently had the chance to connect with Miguel Almario and have shared our conversation below.
Hi Miguel, thank you for taking the time to reflect back on your journey with us. I think our readers are in for a real treat. There is so much we can all learn from each other and so thank you again for opening up with us. Let’s get into it: What are you most proud of building — that nobody sees?
Although I’m not currently building anything physically, what I’m most proud of building – and am still currently building – is myself. I try to do my best to keep an open mind on new perspectives and experiences, and I think the growth I’ve experienced in my creative and personal life helped shaped me into who I am and what I strive to be.
Whether it’s handling setbacks, staying committed to my goals, supporting others and my loved ones, I feel that the work I continue to do internally is what enables me to grow, express myself, and live life more authentically.
Can you briefly introduce yourself and share what makes you or your brand unique?
My name is Miguel Almario, and I’m a Filipino filmmaker and photographer based in Baltimore. As a visual artist, I strive to capture the vastness and beauty of the world around us while exploring the many layers of the human experience – especially through voices and perspectives that I think get often overlooked.
I started photography about ten years ago, where I “borrowed” my dad’s camera and took it with me to the Philippines for vacation. During my stay, I was completely drawn in by the beauty of the landscapes and everyday life unfolding around me in my home country, so I used my camera to capture fleeting moments that resonated with me. Around the same time, I was also becoming a cinephile – I spent countless nights watching films with friends, and learned how different filmmakers told stories through their own techniques.
As I continued taking photos, I eventually found myself embracing analog photography, which had a big influence on my shooting style. Shooting on film encouraged me to be more intentional and present with my shot, and allowed me to be more candid with how I interact with people. It helped me embrace imperfection and to see the world that feels both personal and cinematic.
My work primarily ranges from street and landscapes, to narrative-driven work and cosplay. For me, it’s a mix that allows me to further explore different facets of identity, culture, and storytelling.
My goal has always been to provide a unique perspective that feels authentic and immersive in its core, all while exploring themes that I hope a wider audience can resonate with. With every project, I hope to challenge how we see the world, each other, and ourselves.
Thanks for sharing that. Would love to go back in time and hear about how your past might have impacted who you are today. What relationship most shaped how you see yourself?
I think my relationships with my close friends helped shaped the person I currently am and wish to become.
One friend in particular, Antione Robinson (AKA Riley Escobar), has had one of most profound influence on me as a person and an artist. As a content creator himself, he encouraged me to step out of my comfort zone and fully embrace my passions. He once told me to “Just send it. Put yourself out there – you never who might resonate with what you do.” As an introvert myself, that mindset shift made a huge impact on how I move through different creative spaces and connect with others within them. He helped me believe in the value of my voice.
Another great friend of mine, Larvel Freeman, encouraged me to stay grounded and authentic in my creative journey. His personal motto was to “keep it real,” and an actor, Larvel brought a deep emotional presence to the work we did together. He gave me the space to experiment both technically, but emotionally. Over the years, working with him and building our friendship helped me dig deeper and bring more vulnerability into my works.
Both Antione and Larvel played a direct role in my creative and personal journey. We’ve collaborated on countless portrait sessions and film projects, but more importantly, they’ve helped shape how I see my work and myself. Their honesty, encouragement, and drive reminded me how vital it is to surround yourself with people who believe in growth, authenticity, and purpose. And for me, that has made all the difference.
Was there ever a time you almost gave up?
There were two times where I almost gave up due to sheer burnout.
One of the most significant was when I stepped away from cosplay photography. Although I dabbled occasionally with street photography, cosplay was where I began taking my photography seriously. It allowed me to explore a fascinating subculture through an analog lens, which I thought was a unique approach at the time. But over time, a mix of negative experiences and growing pressure led me to feel disillusioned and drained. By the end of 2022, I told everyone I was quitting, and at the time it felt like the right move. Stepping back gave me the space I needed to create on my own terms, and experiment with other styles and subjects, particularly street, landscapes, and narrative filmmaking.
As time passed, I realized that something was missing. There was still a part of me that felt connected with cosplay and the people within it. Eventually, I made my return with the knowledge of establishing better boundaries, a healthier mindset, and the understanding that it didn’t have to completely define me. I now perceive cosplay photography as one of many creative avenues in my practice that can peacefully coexist with my other work.
The other time I felt the need to step back was after completing my second Japan series, “Where the Cherry Blossoms Bloom, Part Two.” When I created Part One the year before, I saw the potential to really expand creatively — to push the visual language of Japan in a way I felt was bolder, more experimental, and more in tune with its culture. I returned with higher ambitions, but I was also carrying some emotional weight with me on that trip, which made the experience — and the work — more laborious.
In the end, I came away believing that Part Two was the best work I’ve created so far. But it also came with a feeling of finality — the series was the culmination of everything I’d been working toward since I first stole my dad’s camera and took it with me to the Philippines. At that point, I finally asked myself “where do I go from here?” That uncertainty hit hard, and I found myself creatively and socially drained.
I talked about my burnout with my close friends, and they all reminded me that it’s okay to take a break — not just physically, but mentally and emotionally. They encouraged me to take care for myself, to return only when I was ready, and to start small without placing huge expectations on myself. As of this publishing, I am still currently getting over the cusp of that burnout, but what they said is true: creativity doesn’t always need to be constant and even intense. Sometimes, it just needs space to breathe.
So a lot of these questions go deep, but if you are open to it, we’ve got a few more questions that we’d love to get your take on. Is the public version of you the real you?
I think so.
Social media encourages us to curate and maintain a certain image, but I try to show up as myself – flaws and all. I don’t feel the need to hide my true self, but I also try to give myself space to evolve, make mistakes, and show grace to both myself and others. I’m not perfect at it, but I just see that as part of the process.
Before we go, we’d love to hear your thoughts on some longer-run, legacy type questions. What is the story you hope people tell about you when you’re gone?
I like to think that my work will resonate with others one day, and that someone might be inspired to explore the world and connect with others with candor.
But more than anything, I hope to be remembered as someone who loved deeply – as a friend, and hopefully one day, as a husband and a father.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.arsonisticfilmcompany.com/
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thismiguelalmario/
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@arsonisticfilmcompany
- Other: Bluesky: https://bsky.app/profile/thismiguelalmario.bsky.social
Image Credits
Models:
@1shinobi
@authenticallyanais
@hintofsage_
@larvelfreeman
@riley_escoescobar
All photos by me
so if you or someone you know deserves recognition please let us know here.
