Today we’d like to introduce you to Liliana Alfaro.
Liliana, let’s start with your story. We’d love to hear how you got started and how the journey has been so far.
During my freshman year of high school, I found out about Marwen, a non-profit arts organization. One of the first classes I took there was a darkroom photography course. I fell in love with the medium, which eventually led to studying it at Columbia College Chicago.
Throughout college, while working at the Museum of Contemporary Photography (MoCP) and Marwen I did freelance photo work for clients including Northwestern University, Marwen, and local Chicago artists such as Irregular Girl and Logan Echols. I still continue to freelance and will soon be working at an e-Commerce studio, which is really exciting.
Meanwhile, I also worked diligently on my more personal body of work. During my senior year of high school, I created a photographic series about my Abuelita (my grandma). When I got to college, I initially explored other types of image making unrelated to my family. About a year into college, I started to photograph my family again. This eventually resulted in an ongoing photographic project called Colación.
A colación is a flower that grew on the bushes outside of my Abuelita’s house in El Salvador. I grew up in a multigenerational home with my mom, tía (aunt), and Abuelita who made up the matriarchs of our household. In 1980, they immigrated to the United States, along with the rest of my maternal family, in order to escape the civil war in El Salvador. This project is an homage to the immigrants who came to the United States in search of a better life. It is a tribute to Salvadoran women.
Since starting this project three plus years ago, I’ve exhibited Colación in Chicago galleries such as C33 Gallery and The Arcade Gallery. As a result of Colación, I have received several scholarships and awards, including the Albert P. Weisman Award and the Kodak Professional Photography Scholarship. It’s a project I’m extremely passionate about and will continue until I feel like it’s complete.
Overall, has it been relatively smooth? If not, what were some of the struggles along the way?
I’ve had my fair share of challenges. I think this feels especially heightened when you’re in a creative field. Even just getting to the point of going to art school was challenging. I come from a working class, immigrant family so I think there was this heightened pressure to be a doctor, nurse, or any other “well paying, secure profession” you could think of. However, most of this pressure was internal and I was lucky that my parents were really supportive of my art career.
Even so, I ended up going to a more affordable, public University with a plan to double major in art and a “safer major”. I ended up not liking the school and their art program. I found the courage to transfer to Columbia the following semester.
I loved Columbia but it was definitely more stressful money wise to go there even with financial aid and scholarships. I’m forever grateful to my parents for helping as much as they could the first three semesters there. Fortunately, I got more scholarships the longer I was there so the last two years I had little to no financial aid gaps.
It’s been about a year since I graduated and I think my main challenge was navigating multiple freelance/contract jobs in art education and commercial photo settings as well as continuing my personal art/photo practice.
I think balancing work (even when I’m really passionate about it) as well as my personal art practice is a challenge that many creatives/artists have to navigate. But, I’ve gotten a better hang of it and it’s something I’ll get better at as the years go on. I’m just really excited to work in a different, more stable commercial photo environment. I can’t wait to continue my growth there, in my freelance photo work, and in my personal work.
Alright – so let’s talk business. Tell us about Liliana Alfaro Photography – what should we know?
For the past four plus years I’ve been a freelance photographer at Liliana Alfaro Photography. It consists mostly of commercial work where clients pay me to photograph for them. But, it also includes the personal work I make that people want to buy.
In terms of this work, I’ve had the honor of collaborating with many amazing people. I’ve gotten to work with Marwen in a different role. In addition to being a teaching artist there, I’ve photographed their staff and board member photos. I’ve also had the pleasure of working with local but quickly growing drag queen, Irregular Girl. Every collaboration is different and so rewarding. I love adapting to the distinct vision and needs of each client.
In terms of my personal work that people have bought, my first introduction to that was Marwen’s annual Art Fair. This past year, someone bought one of my pieces. Being exhibited in that led to another piece being bought, which was really cool. As a result, I try to submit to art fairs and similar opportunities as much as I can.
I’m really passionate about Liliana Alfaro Photography, photo, and using my talent and expertise in it to provide high quality photographic services to those that need it. Something that sets me apart is my deliberate use of color to help convey the idea you want in the photos. I’m very detail-oriented, driven, and always make sure the job is done to the highest standards. I’m not afraid to forge my own path and create my own opportunities. Creative spaces sometimes feel so exclusive. Thus, I’m also passionate about helping others get the same, exciting opportunities—especially other fellow women of color photographers, artists, and creatives.
Any shoutouts? Who else deserves credit in this story – who has played a meaningful role?
Yes! There’s so many people to thank for playing a big role in my success. First and foremost—my family and friends—with a special thanks to my Mom, Tía, and Abuelita for being my biggest supporters. They not only let me photograph them, but were really encouraging about it. As someone who shies away from getting photographed, that means a lot. Thank you to my Mom and Papi (my father) for helping me with the initial college financial aid gaps. Thanks to both of them for working hard so that my siblings and I could have a better life and more opportunities. My older siblings have also played a big role—be it professional advice, helping install an exhibition, giving me a ride to transport heavy photo equipment, etc.
In terms of mentors and advocates, a special shoutout goes to Marwen, Lisa Lindvay, and Bob Thall for supporting me both creatively and in regards to professional opportunities.
Lastly, thank you to all the clients I’ve had the privilege of working with.
Contact Info:
- Website: www.lilianaalfaro.com
- Email: lealfaro13@gmail.com
- Instagram: www.instagram.com/_lilianaalfaro/
Image Credit:
Liliana Alfaro
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