MARGARET SANDIEGO
INTRO
My name is Margaret Sandiego and I'm a photographer from Berkeley, California. I started photography my freshman year with my first inspiration being my older sister. She started photography when she was in high school and fell in love with it. Since I was around 4 years old, I've been intrigued by cameras and photographs. I love being a goofball in front of the camera and always somehow knew when and where a camera was. Fun fact, during the 2010 San Francisco Giants World Series Parade, I got on the front page of the San Francisco Chronicle. It took me a while to find my voice as a kid, but one quality that I still have today is being an observer. I observed the world around me even when I didn't have the words to articulate it. Art is a form of storytelling; there's always more to the story. To me, photography is my way to showcase how I examine the world and one of the best ways I know how to show and not tell.
My Story
My photography journey started in May 2020. At first, it was just something fun and experimental to keep me occupied during quarantine, which sparked my interest in signing up for one of the beginner photography classes at our high school. Thanks to my older sister, Clarissa, who gifted me her old DSLR, from when she was in high school. Originally, it was supposed to be a film photography class, but obviously, it turned digital. Over a few short months, I fell in love with being behind the camera.
To continue my education in photography, I selected and got accepted into our wonderful CAS ( Communication Arts and Sciences small school program) at our high school. This past school year in my computer art class, I learned how to navigate Photoshop, critique art, plan/brainstorm for projects, and speak in artistic language. Countless hours of patience, perseverance, and failure built me into the artist I am today. From battling the rainbow pinwheel of death with our school wifi to taking the time to come after school to learn new Photoshop skills and techniques, and the late-night hours spent finishing projects. I am forever grateful for the skills that I've acquired from this class and will continue to use them in my future as a photographer. In the past recent months, I've worked events and was even spotted for a possible internship.
This is what I work for, to capture those memories and time for people to reminisce on. To live in the moment while still having a small reminder of it. I believe part of my life's purpose is to bring people together through storytelling using whatever mediums I can best communicate through. To quote one of my heroes, Jon M. Chu, " Creating is the most joyful thing. You're taking everything the world has imputed into you and you now get to contribute. You're adding to the algorithm of life".
I'd like to shout out to people who've made my photography possible dust far. To my first photography teacher and biggest supporter, my older sister, Clarissa San Diego. I love you and thank you for always believing in me. Mr. Norberg, my freshmen photographer teacher, who taught me the basics and got me started. I will always take into account how weird, silly and creative you aspire all of your students to be. You said it best, " Strong heart, mind, and soul". Coach Parker, thank you for having faith in me and giving me the opportunity to continue to develop my skills as a student photographer. Last, but not least Mr. Musaji. My sophomore computer art teacher, I can't thank you enough for investing in me and teaching me almost everything I know in Photoshop. To always pushing me to grow as an artist and that everything is a work in progress. Without all of you, I wouldn't be half the artist I am today. In forever gratitude to you all.
Lots of love,
Margaret xxx
