Today we’d like to introduce you to Tony Nava.
Tony, please share your story with us. How did you get to where you are today?
I’ve always had a strong passion for art but never knew photography and filmmaking would end up making who I truly am. I used to love to draw and paint, and at first, I thought I wanted to be an artist. Shortly after I realized it just wasn’t cut out for me. I spent the most time trying out new hobbies, but when I came across a new way to create art through a lens I fell in love right away. I loved seeing things others wouldn’t and being able to capture everyone’s best moments. I picked up my first actual camera, a canon t6 that my brother shared with me, and started doing photography during the last semester of my senior year. I would take shots outside in the woods, at parks, of my friends, anywhere I thought looked interesting. Once I graduated high school, I told myself “it’s about that time I need to find out what I wanted to do and be”. I realized taking photos and digital media has always been an interest without even noticing. In the summer of 2018, I took myself seriously and started pushing myself into photography. I would go out and socialize and collaborate with others I never met. I would try to learn new ways how to take a photo, and most importantly learn how to improve myself as time went by. I started seeing a lot more people enjoying my work, and that photography opened me up to a whole new world I never realized was there. I kept working and hustling, to decide to open a small photography business known as Nava Studio. Today I’m still in school, attending Georgia State, and as for my business, I decided to bring my brother along and split it. Now Nava Studio is a photography/tattoo business.
Overall, has it been relatively smooth? If not, what were some of the struggles along the way?
The hardest road was self-judgment. I would frustrate myself and overthink situations too many times. I thought negatively of comparing myself with others. For a short period I noticed it came in between with my creativity. There was a point where I was just creating with no passion or fulfilment. Probably sounds bad, but I want others to see what one can go through. Over time I understood, I loosen up and refreshed myself. I focused more on creating and less on distractions and negativity. That’s where I began my creative journey once again. The more work I put in, the more output I will see. I learned to stop and love my work. I went back to the fundamentals and took shots of friends, random objects, and supporting any other local artists or creatives out there also. Later on I had small issues, such as not understanding the business side of everything, how much to charge, or how to book clients. Also investing in equipment and gear is very tough when you’re young in school with barely any pay. Nothing in this world comes easy. Since I am Mexican American, my parents showed me alot. Coming to this country with nothing, and in the end, both are company owners. The harder you have it and work for, the more you would want to achieve since you understand what it took you.
Alright – so let’s talk business. Tell us about Nava Studio – what should we know?
I named my company Nava Studio after my last name since I acknowledge who I am and where I come from. Nava is more than a last name, it represents how hard working, courteous, loyal, and passionate my family and I are. Everyone who truly knows and understands will remember meeting one of us. I have to reach new skills and set high levels for my company to grow. I am a self-taught photographer, and I prefer to shoot any type of picture either portraits, magazines, landscapes, events, etc. What separates me is the way I work things and how I shoot. I bring the best out of anyone, so that’s why everything comes out special in the photo. You can see that the photo says a unique story each time. Also knowing different angles and poses instead of just being in once stance goes a long way in creating new art forms. As of right now I do mainly photography but recently got into doing videography since I highly admire visuals and people who create them.
Any shoutouts? Who else deserves credit in this story – who has played a meaningful role?
Mentors, I would give it to my older brother. Growing up, he raised me since our parents were always at work. He showed me what it took to be a man and taught me the things I would use in life. As for supporters, all my close friends. I don’t have many to be honest, but the ones I do have were there for me from the start. As my models or supporters they were always there. Most important was also my girlfriend. She has been there from the start, till now coming with me to shoot, helping me create, and pushing me to my all-time best. I thank them all. I’m not trying to succeed for me, but mainly for them. I want to help us while helping as many people as I can along the way.
Contact Info:
- Phone: 6787587437
- Email: tnava991@gmail.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/shotbynava/
- Twitter: https://twitter.com/shotbynava
- Other: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC9k0gHjRwT9zvtnxnfkUQMg
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