Today we’d like to introduce you to Santos a.k.a. Sanzei.
Sanzei, please share your story with us. How did you get to where you are today?
I’ve been drawing and shooting photography since I was a kid, but photography has become the main medium in which I choose to channel my vision. My first art and photography influences; my parents. They both planted the artistic seeds that allowed two of my three brothers and me to endure within the arts.
Around the age of eight, my mother handed me a 35 mm film camera with a fixed lens and cheap plastic filters. No really, cheap they just blurred the images. Regardless I was immediately driven to explore more about the subject around me. My creativity flourished as I began shooting from unusual angles and perspectives. The process felt important, it felt right. One day while playing with my 35 mm camera my beautiful mother began to pose for me. Her amazing smile and confident stances slowly became silly and absurd. We both began to laugh, it was fun. Every once in a while she would ask me to take pictures of her, I always looked forward to these rare days of joy. These are some of my fondest memories I shared with ma as a child. These moments will forever be the most influential of my photography life.
I miss her I hope she knows how instrumental she was in who I am today. 🙏 Then, as a lifelong artist, I have always kept photography on my mind. In the 90’s I would ride around the city with my college friends capturing moments with my Canon Rebel X. This was my first Canon SLR and with it, I learned the basics while taking college courses in photography. Although fun and interesting keeping my film supply were difficult, to say the least. You see for a college student that could only afford to eat tomato sandwiches for dinner, 35 mm film was expensive to buy and develop.😶 I felt I had to put the camera down until I was in a better financial space. Now that I think about it, I’m sure I still have undeveloped rolls around here somewhere. When digital cameras came around I was again intrigued, no cost on film and development? That’s Great Right! 👍Yes, but by then I was all in on the art and graphic design world. So it again became more of a hobby. Family and friends always supported my photography sometimes buying me the gear I didn’t need.😉 But, it let me know that they all saw what I felt a true passion for the craft of photography.
Throughout the years, I continued to treat photography mostly as a hobby. Until I met someone who not only believed in me but went ahead and booked a show for me. But I can’t, but I’m shy… Okay, I guess I have no choice. In 2015, I decided to make photography a priority, not just another thing I did on the side on occasion. So forward I went, all of the techniques and methods I have developed within the arts, I now implemented into my photography. And for anyone that says photography is not art 😠 Okay, I’ll be nice but know this, just like any other form of art, photography requires dedication, vision, repetition, and attention to detail. I have always known this as an artist. From Acrylic Paintings to Graffiti and even creative writing I understand the amount of work needed to master a craft. Anyone can take a snapshot, but what I strive for is photographic artistry.
Now, at the moment, Landscape Photography is my main focus but I enjoy other forms of photography like Street & Portrait. In South Florida, I am somewhat limited to beaches so I’m forced to work under harsh environments. 🙄 Okay, maybe I’m exaggerating a bit but getting up for sunrises or chasing good light is not an easy task. 😁 As a student of the arts & photography, I am always learning while eagerly looking for the next masterpiece. Soon, I plan to travel the world so that I may capture and share with you my interpretations of our amazing earth.
Thanks, Anita for believing in me. I have worked in many Media Companies as a graphic artist and animator among many other positions within the creative arts. So now, I implement everything I know from visual arts and graphics into my photography. Around 2010 I decided that it was time to focus on developing my own “brand”. I began SanzeiDesigns in 2010 and shortly after in 2012 Sanzei Photography. As of 2015, I have shifted most of my creative energy into photography and am now making a living out of it full time. My fine Art Gallery Photography pieces are featured in Saatchiart.com and TurningArt.com among others.
Great, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
As I continue my journey, it has not always been easy. At times, financial woes have made it difficult for me as a freelance artist but I stay determined and focused on one day running my own gallery. I have started several online companies and some have done okay, others have honestly failed, but I have learned to keep moving and trying new angles. I am more determined than ever to succeed within the fine art community.
June of this year, my beautiful mother passed away and for a few months, I felt lost and could not focus on my work. I thank my family and friends for being here for me. And most of all for believing in me and supporting my skills for when I have doubted it is my loved ones that kept me going.
Please tell us about your work.
With Sanzei Photography, I produce Fine Art Quality pieces for businesses large and small, across an array of industries. As well as home decor and design. Soon, I will be expanding into Fine Art Portrait Photography and Acrylic Paintings. With Sanzeidesigns I specialize in graffiti and character t-shirt designs. I will be most proud when I open up my Gallery but for now, I am proud of the people around me that appreciate my vision for Sanzei Enterprises LLC.
My main goal at the moment is to eventually open up an Art Gallery which provides upcoming artists a place to display at a reasonable cost. Sanzei (A Fine Art and Fine Art Photography Gallery) I have not put too much thought into what sets me apart from others, I simply just focus on my path.
Is there a characteristic or quality that you feel is essential to success?
Persistence in acquiring my vision, focus on mastering my crafts and a sincere appreciation to all who support my journey.
Contact Info:
- Website: www.sanzeiphotography.com
- Phone: (772) 675-0998
- Email: sanzeidesigns@gmail.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/sanzeiphotography/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/sanzeiphotography/
- Twitter: https://twitter.com/SanzeiPhoto
- Other: https://www.saatchiart.com/santoslopez
Image Credit:
All Landscape, Cityscape, and Beach photography by Sanzei – Santos López
My Portrait Photo was taken by Noel de Christian
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