Interview with CiNava Photography

Vessel: Today, we are privileged to engage in a conversation with the exceptional duo behind CiNava Photography: a team that has truly mastered the art of capturing moments. Could you share a brief overview of your journey in photography?

CiNava: We are CiNava Photography, a dynamic duo of fashion photographers who love to capture the essence of style and beauty. We are not just partners: we are soulmates in our craft. We complement each other like black and white, light and shadow, art and science. Angel Cintron is the art. He has a Fine Arts Degree in photography from the Academy of Art University, and he brings his vision and flair to every shoot. Steve Nava is the science. He has a background in chemistry, works in biotechnology, and he brings his logic and precision to every project. We met in San Francisco, and early on, Steve was Angel’s creative sidekick: helping him with assignments, weddings, and anything else that required a camera. We decided to join forces and create CiNava Photography.

Vessel: Being photographers, what specific aspects of your craft bring you the greatest joy and fulfillment?

CiNava: We consider ourselves creative visionaries who create expressive imagery with our cameras. We find our meaning in transforming what we see through the lens into a narrative. Anyone can snap a cliché, but only we can weave a story with our perspective. The person who sees our image in a magazine must be mesmerized and provoked. The type of imagery that shakes up the status quo or challenges or disrupts the existing norms or power structures in society.

Vessel: Take us back to the inception of your photographic journey. Can you vividly recall the first subject or moment that left a lasting impression on your lens?

Cinava: Our journey as photographers began with a spark. We can still remember the first time we saw something that moved us, spoke to us, and changed us. We had to capture it with our lens and share it with the world. 

We have three words that define our style: CREATIVE, EDGY, and ARTISTIC. We tell stories by looking beyond the obvious and finding the hidden meaning in every theme. By pushing our boundaries, we experiment with new ideas in our editorials. We have been blessed to work on two particularly impactful projects. 

1) A couple of years ago, PETA noticed our image from a cover shoot and editorial for Queer Magazine. The model was painted with his anatomy exposed: showing his muscles, veins, organs, and bones. PETA used our image on a huge 70 foot billboard at Penn station in NYC, promoting their “wear vegan” campaign “Leather is Someone’s Skin.” We were stunned to see our image in such a massive scale, reaching people from all over the world. 

2) We were honored to have another image featured by Style Cruz Magazine from a shoot we did with fashion designer Dope Tavio (from Season 19 of Project Runway). Our image was displayed in the heart of Times Square in NYC: the epicenter of fashion and culture. We had a big celebration with the whole creative team, including documentary filmmakers and artists in Times Square, and it was incredible. These two experiences show the creative vision that people really connect with.

Vessel: In the realm of planning a photoshoot, could you shed light on the processes and methodologies you typically employ to ensure a successful and captivating result?

CiNava: Have a vision, do your research on that vision, and create a solid mood board that lays out the lighting, location, styling, hair, make-up etc. Once the mood board is drafted, the team assembly is critical. Once the team is assembled, connect with them on different platforms like email, a group call, or face-to-face chats both early and often to work through the finalization of your vision on the mood board. You cannot over communicate with your team. A cohesive team is a recipe for success. Plan, plan, plan!

Vessel: For fellow photographers aspiring to grow and refine their skills, what invaluable advice would you offer based on your own experiences?

CiNava: Dream big and build your team. Your team should have enough skill to perform their roles and handle their tasks. Make sure you connect early and often with the team on different platforms like email, a group call, or face-to-face chats. Follow-up is key. On shoot day, the team should arrive early and prepare their areas before the talent shows up. Don’t waste time gossiping! Get focused and there will be plenty of fun later. Be flexible! Whatever can go wrong, will. Keep those creative juices flowing and invite your team to give you advice to roll with the punches and get the best out of the situation. Screaming at the team or grandstanding as the photographer is a death sentence: so be respectful. You hire your creative team for their skills and contributions they bring to the photoshoot. Finally, once you have the shot, move on! Trust your skills as a photographer. The crew and the talent don’t have all day for you to hunt for the perfect shot.

Photographer: CiNava Photography

@cinava_photography

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