Conversations with Diego Vargas

Today we’d like to introduce you to Diego Vargas.

Alright, so thank you so much for sharing your story and insight with our readers. To kick things off, can you tell us a bit about how you got started?
I was born in Lima, Peru, grew up in South Florida, and about three years ago, I made the move to Atlanta—a city I now love calling home.

My story with cameras started early. I was that kid obsessed with movies, and I just always knew I was going to be a filmmaker. In high school, I casually picked up photography, but everything changed when I discovered 35mm film through a ‘Photography 101’ class in college, thinking it would be an easy credit, but the process and discipline of film—where every shot costs you—completely rewired my approach. It taught me true storytelling, intentionality and precision framing.

For more than five years, I was inseparable from my cameras, documenting everything and everyone in my life. After the pandemic, I landed a job with a photography company shooting school yearbooks, and then worked at a studio in Florida. When I spotted a chance to transfer with the same company to their Atlanta studio, I decided to take the risk. It was the perfect next step to grow my career in photography! But by incredible chance I landed a gig on an independent feature as a BTS photographer. Everything changed for me after that, it was my first time on a professional
set and knew it wasn’t going to be my last! I fell head over heels with the process of filmmaking. I felt that same spark I felt when I developed my first roll of film, I was immediately hooked! I quit the yearbook job and have been pursuing filmmaking ever since, Landing gigs all around Atlanta!

Can you talk to us a bit about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned along the way. Looking back would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?
Like many in creative fields, getting started has its challenges. I’ve been fortunate to expand my network here in Atlanta and gain hands-on experience in nearly every aspect of filmmaking—from camera department and production design to working as a PA and, ultimately, directing. While my first short film wasn’t the success I’d hoped for, it was a crucial lesson. It crystallized for me that writing and directing is my true path so i am now pursuing it with full focus and mindful of both my mistakes and my successes.

Alright, so let’s switch gears a bit and talk business. What should we know about your work?
I love working with cameras, whether it is through photography or filmmaking. People know me as the “film guy” due to my collection of old analog cameras I always use. I specialize in candid moments that are full of story. I am also currently writing a handful of projects I plan to direct in the future both ambitiously big features/shows as well as small budget shorts.

I will soon be crowdfunding one of those small budget shorts set to be filmed early 2026. It’s titled ‘Thrifty’ and it’s about a group of friends who walk into a mysterious thrift store only to find out it is peculiarly haunted! I have assembled a small team of talented people that are very passionate about this project and will expand the team further after our goal in funding is reached!

Pricing:

• $250 BTS Photographer
• $350 Camera Operator

Contact Info:

• Website: https://seedandspark.com/fund/thrifty?token=eea6bb343acaebfa8d0cd0c332bb58dfc26368a2e81950e761f675e4eb8f126d#team
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/amadorama?igsh=M2YwYW95eWNpaWE0&utm_source=qr
• Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCXHt1YsZraLVuW1tXRwBobg