Being From Tijuana Makes You Strong

Featuring Rafael Martinez Words by Nastasia Khmelnitski

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Rafael Martinez is a fashion freelance photographer from Tijuana, Mexico, who currently resides in New York. Rafael tells us his story of growing up in Tijuana, his grandmother being an influential person in his life, and his decision to move to New York and develop his profession. Rafael also speaks about the approach he developed of creating portrait shoots and the experience he gained while working with the queer community in Tijuana.

The main theme that Rafael explores in his work is personality. His goal is to create an impact through a thoughtful approach to the subject. The idea is to emphasize the discovery of personality and to create a narrative about minorities. From photographing Angel Olson to working with a fashion model Sasha Belyaeva to capturing ARCA live - Rafael makes each frame count through genuine interest to people and passion for photography.

‘Being from Tijuana makes you strong’

Hi Rafel, how is it going?

It's going good, just having coffee.

What are you up to today? How does your usual day look like? 

Because I'm a freelancer at the moment, it really depends, right now I'm just answering these questions at a coffee shop, going to answer emails as well, finish reading a book, and work as a doorman for a party tonight.

You were born in Mexico. Let’s talk about your hometown of Tijuana and the best characteristics of Mexico.

I grew up my entire life in Tijuana until 2 years ago, and believe me it's very different than NY. I have to say, one of the best characteristics over there is that people are just nice without expecting anything in exchange, people are very true to themselves and just genuine. Being from Tijuana makes you strong.

‘Queer people in Tijuana are brave and inspiring beyond words, we are born and raised in this MACHO bubble, and it's hard to be out of it when you are around it all the time’

What did you enjoy the most as a kid?

Being with my grandmother, I grew up really attached to her, she's the most amazing person.

What’s the last film you watched? What did you like about it?

The last good film I watched was Pain and Glory, I love Almodóvar and I think this film was beautiful, very personal and emotional to him, and I can relate to that. Also, the acting Penélope Cruz and Antonio Banderas are just amazing.

You have been photographing and researching Tijuana’s queer community. What did you learn from this experience, and how did it influence you and your photography in discovering techniques to show personality?

Queer people in Tijuana are brave and inspiring beyond words, we are born and raised in this MACHO bubble, and it's hard to be out of it when you are around it all the time, that's why you have to push through social boundaries when it comes to genre.

I think when it comes to the photographs I did, it was all about the subject, I like to step back because at the end of the day it's their story. I'm trying to project and understand, it's whatever emotions people will share with you and their trust and permission they're giving you, and that's a big deal for me.

What was the main idea behind moving to New York in 2017? 

I moved here because I want to do photography professionally.

How is a sphere of photographers different between Tijuana and New York? 

In Tijuana, there's a healthier competition (if that even exists) we'll help and support each other more than here, still a work in progress but it's coming together. NY is very competitive you just have to learn how to stay away from that and don't let it affect your work and yourself. Sadly in NY, it's about who you know and who you went to school with. You really have to fight through that and just prove with your work that you deserve a chance.

What is the work you are most proud of? (The most challenging, or most successful one)?

All of my work is challenging in a way. Sometimes, I don't know what to expect or how the connection will be... there's this feeling I get of being nervous and excited at the same time. I'm proud of all the work I've done so far, but if I have to mention a recent one, it will be shooting ARCA at her shows in NY. It was such an amazing experience, getting to shoot her while performing, she's someone whose ideas and talent are out of this world.

What are the topics you would like to address in your future projects? And when comparing the ideas you have for the future work, what are you most passionate about now?

I want to be able to keep documenting minorities. I want to do projects or work more thoughtful and understand more of what, why, and whom I'm shooting. You know, sometimes you have to ask yourself, how does this reflect my personal life? Do I relate to this work I do? Will this make me grow?

‘Sometimes you have to ask yourself, how does this reflect my personal life? Do I relate to this work I do? Will this make me grow?’

You photograph a lot of different types of people and approach them from the angle of situational photography and storytelling. Could you share a story of one of those people or models that touched you, fascinated you, or left an impression on you? 

It's really a learning experience for me, it's all about having a good conversation, and to open yourself and making the person you're shooting feel comfortable. I like to have a moment with them, a one-on-one, that's why in some of my portraits, I don't use stylists, makeup, etc., it's just a nice moment to share. I don't think I could mention just one, some of the people I've shot I've become very close to them and I'm thankful for that, they represent something very special.

‘You have to push yourself keep your feet on the ground, be nice to everybody, and just thankful that you are here’

As a person who has experienced living in different countries and big cities with a hectic atmosphere, how do you feel this assists you in personal and professional perspectives?  

Something that people fail to understand is that Mexico is a third world country which means it's a developing country, the minimum wage is about 88 pesos around $4USD... Basically you have to work hard, you have to work 3 times harder if you want some sort of a better life. I used to work at coffee shops 6 days a week in Tijuana while I was in school, and then I got a job in the States, and I was crossing the border back and forth. Just for you to have an idea, what I'm trying to say is that you have to push yourself (I keep saying this to myself every day) keep your feet on the ground, be nice to everybody, and just thankful that you are here.

What’s next?

I really want to get my work represented, get more involved with casting and maybe exhibit my photos. I'm still very shy about that, but we'll see.