Interview with Mariana Ricaud : a Landscape Photographer and an Ambitious Women

1. Can you tell us a little about yourself, your blog(s)/website(s),and your aspirations and your hobbies!!
I was born in Mexico City in 1979. Up to three years ago I had a career in marketing and worked for global companies, but I decided to leave my career to become a full time photographer and traveler, which are my true passions in life. It hasn’t been easy but I strongly believe that success and happiness come when you follow your dreams and absolutely love what you do for a living.
I´ve been very fortunate to have had the opportunity to travel around the world, I´ve visited so many amazing places and met so many incredible people that have inspired me to follow my dreams and to want to share my experience with others.
I love my country and I have always wanted to share its wonderful landscapes and culture with people around the world, so I now own a company (Photo Travel Mexico – www.phototravelmexico.com) that organices photography expeditions in the most beautiful places around Mexico.
My work has been published in newspapers and magazines, and shown in galleries in Mexico City. You can see some of my work in www.marianaricaud.com or follow me in www.facebook.com/FotografiaMarianaRicaud

2. How you first got involved in with photography, are you an imaginative person?
I´ve loved photography since I was very young. I remember having a Fisher Price blue plastic camera and wanting to capture every second of my family trips. I guess I felt the need to hold on to places by photographing them so I would never forget them.

3. What does photography mean to you?
Photography has changed the way I look at the world around me, especially nature. It´s made me appreciate like never before my surroundings, and has made more conscious and preoccupied about how we are slowly destroying our amazing planet. I´m  happy to have the opportunity, through Photo Travel Mexico and our partners, to promote sustainable tourism and to contribute to Mexican local communities that live in extreme poverty.

4. Photography is your passion or profession or both?
Both. I´m proud and thankful to say my passion is my everyday job.

5. What do you find most challenging about photography about your topic?
I´m an outdoors and nature lover, that is why I´m mostly a landscape and nature photographer. Nature is unpredictable; you can’t control things as you could in a studio. You can spend hours or days under extreme or uncomfortable conditions, sun, rain, snow, you name it, and still don´t get the shot you want.  It can sometimes be frustrating, but when you do get your shot, it makes it all worthwhile.

6. How do you get the person, place or thing that is in front of the camera onto the film, chip or paper in just the way you want?
As I said before, nature is unpredictable, so you have to work with what you have and try to make the most out of it. But you can always use filters and polarizers to help you get a better shot.

7 . Which photographers influenced you, and how did they influence your thinking and photographing?
As many landscape photographers, I am a great admirer of Ansel Adams. I absolutely love Nick Brant´s wildlife photograph and Christian Vizl´s underwater photography. They capture the true essence and greatness of nature in a very beautiful artistic way and use their talent to promote consciousness about our hurting planet.

8. Any specific tips you have for newbie photographers?
First of all, get to know your camera and lenses and make them your best friends. Find a topic you are passionate about and shoot, shoot, shoot. Practice makes perfect.

9. What motivates you to continue taking pictures economically, politically, intellectually or emotionally?
I really can´t imagine my life without a camera. What motivates me is knowing there is always a new place to visit and photograph. I always expect the most beautiful surprises from nature.

10. Five adjectives that describe you.
I don´t think I could describe any person with specific adjectives, as we are changing every day, we always have the possibility to reinvent ourselves.

11. Do you get easily provoked by positive/negative comments?
Not really. As any form of expression, photography can be subjective. I don’t seek public approval; I do it mainly for myself. There will always be people who like your work and people who don’t.

12. You have a website also, please tell me about that?
I have a personal website with some of my work, as all my prints are for sale: www.marianaricaud.com
And my company´s website www.phototravelmexico.com for all those passionate travelers and nature lovers, newbies or advanced photographers, who would like to travel with me and my team around Mexico.
Anyone can contact me as well through Facebook  www.facebook.com/FotografiaMarianaRicaud  and www.facebook.com/phototravelmex

13. What motivates you most in life?
Definitely traveling and photography. I love exploring new places, learning about different cultures, eating food I´ve never ate before, meeting new people…

14. So whats next in your list?
Personally, I´d love to travel to New Zealand and India. Both have been in my Must Visit List but I haven’t had the opportunity yet. As for my photography and my job, I want to keep on learning and sharing my passion with others.

15. Words and suggestion about my website www.indiaataglance.com
As I said before, India has always mesmerized and intrigued me, so getting the opportunity to explore, read and look at photographs in www.indiaataglance.com has made me want to visit even more. What I most liked about it is that unlike other sites or magazines, it showcases so many different and uncommon destinations that not many people know about. The descriptions are interesting and inspiring, makes you want to hop on a plane and visit all of them. I congratulate and admire your hard work and your passion for your country, people and culture, I can surely identify with that.