Today we’d like to introduce you to Sofia Putrino.
Sofia, we’d love to hear your story and how you got to where you are today both personally and as an artist.
A lot of times you’ll hear people say they “always knew they wanted to be a ….”. Well, I didn’t really always know I wanted to be a photographer. Actually, my major in college was International Security! What I did know though, was that I absolutely loved taking photos of people having a good time. Smiling, dancing, kissing, laughing, etc. I loved getting those ‘candid’ shots of the people I was around. I started this photography journey with a Canon AE-1 film camera which was gifted to me by my uncle (who is also a photographer), and my fun little side hobby started growing into a passionate business. I took Caroline (yea, that’s what I named my camera) with me everywhere. Burned through dozens of rolls of film and had hundreds of lessons learned. If you talk to anyone who started out with a film camera, you’ll learn that it was the best teacher they’ve ever had. I had rolls of amazing beauty, and rolls of total crap.
I learned HOW to use my camera, and HOW to see light through the lens. Caroline accompanied me on my honeymoon to Thailand, and then to my first engagement session. After a year or so into this hobby, I was then gifted my first Canon 5dMkiii (I know, I hit the gifting jackpot here), but this time from my husband. After that, well, the rest is history. Since then I’ve not stopped shooting. Engagements, Weddings, Newborns, Families, etc. My passion to capture that smile, those dance moves, those kisses – it’s only gotten stronger. I pride myself on making all my clients feel comfortable and natural in front of the camera. I want to be able to document YOU as a couple, and when you look at your images, think “oh my gosh, that’s SO US.”
We’d love to hear more about your art. What do you do you do and why and what do you hope others will take away from your work?
Again, I want to capture YOU. I love all my clients, but I especially love my couples. I am a BIT of a romantic. Okay, I’ve watched basically every rom-com there is and loudly express “AWWWW” at every happy ending – swoop you off your feet – kiss. So, naturally, that’s what I want to capture too! Love is amazing. It’s difficult, it’s beautiful, but most of all, it’s DIFFERENT for every single person. Love isn’t the same, and definitely isn’t expressed the same in every couple. I really want to capture whatever your expression is. Usually about one third of the way through my session, I figure out exactly how it is that you two communicate and love each other. Whether it’s through a pick-her-up-kiss, or a sweet nuzzle into her neck; I see it and snap a picture of it. How do I pull it out of my couple, though? Well. I make a FOOL of myself. If you aren’t willing to be natural in front of your clients, they won’t feel comfortable being natural in front of you. And well – I’m naturally a fool. I do silly things or say silly things to get them relaxed, then I put them in poses, and ask them to talk to each other. Most of the time, this starts out as what feels like a weird pose, then turns into a belly laugh and big ole’ kiss. Which then turns into that “SO US” photo.
Artists face many challenges, but what do you feel is the most pressing among them?
COMPARISON! It is so easy for artists to compare themselves to the others in their industry. Photography, music, design – you name it. We get so caught up in whatever is popular and whatever is ‘trending’ that I think it’s so easy to lose sight of what you actually love doing. I’ve been guilty of this too! Recently I found myself editing in a style that just was NOT me, but it was the style that was being featured, and getting those likes. It took a little perspective from my husband to bring me back to being ME and creating what I loved.
Do you have any events or exhibitions coming up? Where would one go to see more of your work? How can people support you and your artwork?
This is 2018 bro! Catch me on Instagram! @sofiaannphoto is where you will find all my wildly in love couples, and all my work is kept (mostly) up to date on my website, www.sofiaannphotography.com. You can support my work by recommending me to your friends! The interwebs is great and all, but 90% of my work comes from referrals. It’s absolutely true what they say, a referral is the best compliment.
Contact Info:
- Website: www.sofiaannphotography.com
- Phone: 619-890-8242
- Email: sofputrino@gmail.com
- Instagram: www.instagram.com/sofiaannphoto/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/sofiaannphotography
Image Credit:
La Jolla Wedding- styling: @breeandstephenphoto
Sunset Cliffs Elopement & Beach Session- styling: @samericastudios
Getting in touch: BostonVoyager is built on recommendations from the community; it’s how we uncover hidden gems, so if you know someone who deserves recognition please let us know here.
