Today we’d like to introduce you to Cheyenne Araujo.
Cheyenne, let’s start with your story. We’d love to hear how you got started and how the journey has been so far.
I have always been a creative soul. Arts and crafts and other art classes were something I enjoyed throughout high school. I moved to Arlington, Virginia, in 2017 with my sister for university, where I forgot about the calmness art and design brought due to the stress and challenging nature of adjusting to a new environment. I would explore the city, capturing streets, flowers and museums on my phone so I could reminisce on how it made me feel whenever I was feeling down. Coming from Malawi, a small African country, I was so used to warm weather that winters in the DMV were brutal for me. As a result, I spent most of my free time in the artificial, warm botanical gardens in DC. I would snap pictures of all the flowers that I thought were gorgeous (that was basically all of them).
After reflecting on how being there made me feel after looking at the pictures I took, I wanted to step up my photography game. I managed to convince my parents to get me an entry-level camera. With this, I taught myself the basics behind photography – ISO, shutter speed and aperture are some concepts I managed to learn by watching numerous YouTube videos. I was lucky enough to have friends and family who supported me. My sister and aunt were some of my first muses. With the help of some mentors and motivators (Elisa Davidson, André Correa, Nick Reynolds are notable individuals), I was confident enough to successfully collaborate with bloggers and influencers in the DMV area. My work was noticed by some fashion businesses (Kuchena and The Akazi Project), which gave me the opportunity to have my work published on their sites.
As I continued my studies and worked as a server, I simultaneously mastered my craft. I saved my income, investing in better lenses and camera gear. I landed prom gigs and personal portrait shoots, all of which I left with a new lesson. I saved more to eventually launch my own website, where I organized my work for a user-friendly experience to see my projects.
My latest project has been publishing my first photobook. Being in the middle of a pandemic, I have been hesitant to shoot with clients, so I decided to channel my creativity to a project I have been manifesting for some time now. It has been very difficult to be a young woman, an international student, and still work and have a social life, but I can say that photography has undeniably balanced it all. I have connected with inspirational people and made interactions that I will remember for eternity because of my passion for this art.
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?
Buying camera gear is the biggest obstacle if I am honest. My dad bought me the first camera, which taught me a great deal of the craft. I worked as a barista and saved to upgrade lenses etc and eventually collected an arsenal of cameras. It was hard because, as a young woman who wanted to be somewhat independent, I had other goals- traveling was a big one, and so finding the discipline to carefully spend and save any income was a bit challenging.
I would say that being a student can also be a challenge when trying to start up a business. At times I am so swamped with school work that I neglect my artistic side. I will go through spells of disinterest in my craft due to my workload. I have to constantly remind myself that I need to prioritize non-academic activities too.
We’d love to hear more about your work.
I think the brand that I have created for myself is one that has a goal that is to genuinely allow others to see themselves in a way that they might not have been able to before. I am very minimalistic when it comes down to the editing of pictures, which clients at first have reservations about. After they look at their untouched pictures, they are amazed. An inner glow is sparked, which is what drives me to continue.
Do you look back particularly fondly on any memories from childhood?
Wow, I have too many. I think going on road trips to Lake Malawi with my family every Christmas, easter or any public holiday. It was filled with laughter and good food that it is something I miss being in Miami by myself.
Contact Info:
- Website: www.cheyennearaujo.com
- Phone: 949-295-7098
- Email: cheyenne.araujo.mw@gmail.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/_cheyennearaujo/?hl=en
- Other: https://cheyennearaujo.com/about-1
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