Connect
To Top

Life and Work with Macarena Munoz

Avatar photo

Today we’d like to introduce you to Macarena Munoz.

Macarena, let’s start with your story. We’d love to hear how you got started and how the journey has been so far.
My story begins in Santiago, Chile where I was born. As a first-generation American whose parents migrated from Chile in the late 1990s to Washington, DC — a huge part of my identity, drive and work ethic comes from my family’s culture and background. Our struggle to make it work in a new country gave me the ability to take risks and try new experiences.

Ever since I was a young girl, I’ve always had a passion for art. I started drawing, painting and taking photographs at a very early age. It was in 9th grade, where I took my first photography class and absolutely fell in love with capturing special moments and creating beautiful captivating images.

While I loved the arts, I struggled with the idea that I could actually turn it into a career. I decided to take a different path and follow a career in Nursing. I went to college in Washington, DC and started my degree in Nursing. After a few years into my degree, I had a change of heart and decided that it was not the path I wanted to follow. I wanted to really pursue a career I could be passionate about, use my creativity and love for art. 

It was then when I started to make custom wedding cakes for family and friends. The wedding cake industry became a huge passion of mine as I could utilize all my artist ability and make a business out of it. In my quest to learn everything about the business after graduation, I began an internship with Maggie Austin Cakes. A renowned cake artist from Washington, DC and all over the world. I was lucky enough to work on a featured cake for Martha Stewart Weddings. Which is still something I am super proud of to this date.
After graduating college, I started my own wedding cake business. While I loved making cakes and had some success in the business. My life had different plans for me.

Me and my fiancee would ultimately decide to move across country to start a new life in Colorado. A few months of not being sure where my career was going to take me, I learned I was pregnant with my son. Needless to say, he became my number one priority and I put my career on hold. After he was born, I became inspired to capture every little moment and detail of his life. It was then when I decided to take what I had learned in my photography classes, pick up my DSLR camera and start creating beautiful images of his first year of life. The more I dove into photography, the more I fell in love with it and the more I wanted to learn. After doing it for a little over a year, I was ready to make it a full-time career out of it. I was lucky enough to get a job as a newborn hospital photographer. This opportunity gave me the experience I need to ultimately grow and start my own business shortly after doing newborn and family lifestyle photography.

In a way I feel as my past struggles and journey were necessary and fundamental to my growth as an artist, professional and business owner. My journey has been filled with ups and downs but it has led me in a career where I get to use my passion, artistry and creativity. Photography allows my creative energy to flow and connect with all kinds of different families. While my story may seem a little all over the place, I wouldn’t change a thing. My journey has ultimately led me to my true passion and its where I am today.

Overall, has it been relatively smooth? If not, what were some of the struggles along the way?
My path has definitely not been a smooth ride. It has been filled with more downs then ups. The biggest struggle for me has been my lack of direction when I first began my career. Between wanting to be a nurse, cake designer/baker and then photographer — I jumped back and forth on different career paths. I think what really opened up my eyes and put things into perspective was becoming a mom. I wanted to be a role model for him. Show him that more than anything, if you work hard and follow your passion you can become whoever and whatever you want to be.

He was driving force to narrow something down that not only was I passionate about but would also allow me to spend as much time as I could with him. Although being a creative, a mother and entrepreneur is not easy. It gives me a balance of all three things.

My advice for any young women who are just starting their journey is — you are the one in control of your own life. Make it what you want, sure there will be plenty of times where you will fail or keep going back and forth and even lose sense of what you want to do. Just get back up, don’t be afraid to start something new and eventually you will find something that you’re passionate about. Eventually, you’ll become the person you are meant to be.

Please tell us about Macarena Munoz Photography.
I am a lifestyle photographer in Highlands Ranch, Colorado. Specializing in images that capture families love, connection and happiness. I love to create images that are genuine and candid, showcasing true raw emotions. I am mostly proud of my ability to direct and pose my clients without making them feel as they are posing at all. Most of the time the best images come the moments right or before me directing a pose.

As a creative, In a market full of many talented photographers, I try to find different ways that set me apart from the rest. This is why I specialize in emotionally driven lifestyle portraiture. My goal for every session is for families to enjoy the moment. To showcase how families interact with one another and to ultimately let go and have fun with the session. The most beautiful images come from moments where families truly let their personalities shine through.

I find inspiration from many different sources throughout the session, its what I find exciting and different for every family I photograph — Whether it’s a unique location, the sunlight hitting the landscape a certain way or the family interactions with one another. I let my inspiration and creativity lead the session.

What advice would you give to someone at the start of her career?
If I could give a young woman any piece of advice it would be three key things. First piece of advice is … Stop comparing yourself to other people. Your career and life is unique to you. Stop letting timelines and comparisons to others get in your way of your own path. Secondly, I would say is to try remain positive. Through all your hardships and tribulations, try to remain a positive outlook on life. Getting down and back up again needs to happen in order for you to get where you need to be. Lastly, never lose sight of your passion and what makes you happy. Many times we lose sight of what truly makes us happy in life. Never let loose that as its what will drive you to the life you want to live.

Pricing:

  • Family sessions begin at 150
  • Newborn sessions begin at 300
  • Maternity sessions begin at 300

Contact Info:

Image Credit:
Macarena Munoz Photography

Suggest a story: VoyageDenver is built on recommendations from the community; it’s how we uncover hidden gems, so if you or someone you know deserves recognition please let us know here.

Related Items

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

More in