Cinematographer Maria Quintana was born in Mexico City. She majored in media and communications at the Tecnológico de Monterrey Campus Santa Fe and gained her Master’s Degree in Cinematography at the New York Film Academy. Her first step into the world of entertainment was as a production assistant on Alejandro Franco’s Sessions tv show. She later joined Eugenio Derbez’s audiovisual production company in Mexico as a videographer but it was her fascination with music and photography which led to her images being featured in magazines such as Rolling Stone, Indie Rocks, and Reconoce MX. She’s covered several concerts and high profile events, and her portfolio includes noteworthy images of Incubus, Garbage, Tame Impala, and Steven Wilson. We had the opportunity to speak to Maria about her remarkable career and interests.
Hi Maria, thank you for granting the interview. Congratulations on your career to date. You completed a Major in media and communications at the Tecnológico de Monterrey Campus Santa Fe and a Master’s Degree in Cinematography at the New York Film Academy in Los Angeles. We know people graduate in subjects but pursue careers in completely different fields. When did you realize you were destined for a career in entertainment?
Since I was a child I remember I loved watching movies. At some point, I said “I want to work in the film industry”, but I didn’t have a clue about what department or what would I like to be. And when I was studying my major in Communication my path was completely different. I was more into research and semiotic studies. I had a big problem; for me, in the past, it was really hard to communicate my ideas or the way that I see the world. So, one day I discovered photography and I found the way to communicate my ideas, and also to explore the world. So, I started to take a lot of photos. But I loved to take pictures of people, how they are in this world, I can say the photography was my first approach to be a visual artist.
After a couple of years of taking photos as an amateur, not like a professional, I found that I could mix the two worlds that I love- music and photography. It was there that I starting to get information about how I could be or get a photo pass in the concerts and take pictures of the shows. But before that, I was working at the college radio station, where I had the opportunity to start working on shooting live sessions with indie Mexican bands. That helped me to improve my music photography and also build my skills as a director of photography. In the meantime, I met people who were in the venues where some big artists or bands performing in Mexico, and because I was working in the radio station, I started to get photo passes. That was when my concert photography started, and I have to say until now taking pictures of shows is not a hobby but one of my biggest passions. During that time I had the opportunity to cover shows of bands like Garbage, Incubus, Foals, Rodrigo y Gabriela, Pink Martini, Steven Wilson, and more.
Then one day a friend of mine, who was working in a production company in Mexico, called me to offer me a job as behind the scene/still photographer for a film. She showed my work to her boss and they liked my work as a photographer. So, I took the job and there was when my life changed. One day I was working on a professional set, and my photos were used for a lot of media promoting the film. Working there was when I found my destiny in the film industry. I remember that I loved the DP of that movie (Qué Pena Tu Vida) It was an inspiration, the way he was working, how he made magic with the lights, and how much he knew about the field was terrific. So, he was one of my idols (Erwin Jaquez) and it was working on that movie where I decided to pursue my dream, become a Director of Photography, jump from the still photography to the camera movement, and to know how to work with the light, creating different tones, moods, genres, etc. And since that moment I’ve been working to be a Director of Photography and pursue my dream to make it happen. Since 2016 I moved to LA to study my MFA in Cinematography.
You were a production assistant to Alejandro Franco on Sessions, a television show. You then joined Eugenio Derbez’s audiovisual production company in Mexico as a videographer? Please share your experience working in these roles and how it impacted on your career.
When I worked in the production of Alejandro Franco’s Sessions, I had the opportunity to be in touch with the music and work on set. I was more on the path of learning, I was trying to find my real passion, but I have to say that was a really good experience. It was where I started to improve my concert photography. At that moment I was still in the College and I worked there more as an internship.
And with Eugenio Derbez, let’s say that I start working as “director of photography” but more as internship also, but I’m thankful with my boss at that moment because she saw potential on me, but it was there when I got the opportunity to work in the feature film as still photography, and after we wrapped the film, I decided to apply for my master’s degree and quit the job with Eugenio.
The funny thing is that now I’m working with his wife Alessandra Rosaldo, I’m her DP for her youtube channel in LA. Life is sometimes strange and funny.
But both were a really good experience and helped me to shape my skills and the way that I work nowadays.
You worked for BH5, a Mexican film production company. How much would you say your period working there contributed to your career as a cinematographer?
Well for me working with BH5 was a really big contribution to my career, because working for them I found my big passion and the path that I walking now. And also they helped me to build and shape my skills. Working with them I knew and understood how is the work on set, how many people are involved to make a movie. What is the gaffer’s job or what is the camera assistant work. For me, it was like a big opportunity because in my family nobody is working in the industry (film or entertainment) The family business is a gas station. And also I didn’t have connections or networking to help me or invite me to work in the industry. I can say that all the opportunities that I got were because my work because someone saw my work and recommended me to the boss, and I have to say that I never imagine working in the film industry or with people that in some point of my life I knew because they were famous for some movies or because of some tv shows.
Bh5 was a big support for me, also because they trusted in my work and since the beginning they let me explore and contribute with new ideas for them as a photographer. Actually, after I moved to LA they still were supporting me with work in some feature films as managing the making off department. And in 2019 they offered me to camera b for the feature film “El Mesero” (The Waiter) a film that will be released in October of this year.
In 2019 you worked as Director of Photographer for Disney India. Please share your experiences of working for this global brand.
The last year, I got my first commercial for Disney India, we shot a TV spot for Frozen II where I had the opportunity to work with Priyanka Chopra Jonas, a big actress here in the USA (Hollywood) and also in India (Bollywood). I had to say that was a big challenge for me, it was the first time that I got something with a big client. The project was really crazy because I got the project three weeks before the real shooting. Me and producer Nupur Mehrotra, who hired me for this project, had to work really fast and with the minimum information that the production from India gave us. We needed to find a studio that had a big green screen studio, also we need to find some special things for the actress, and we only had three weeks to make it happened.
Also, the director was in NY, and I didn’t know who it was until three days before the shoot. So, I was really nervous. Then the productions told me that I only had two hours to shoot 3 spots with her because Priyanka’s agenda was full and she only could give us two hours. So, I got a big pressure and responsibility, that everything needs to be perfect and on point.
But in the end, we made it, my crew was perfect, she was amazing, and the client was happy with the product. For me, it was a really good experience, and also a big jump for my career.
You now collaborate as a concert photographer for music magazines and blogs and work with Alessandra Rosaldo as Director of Photography for her Youtube Channel. What does your average working week look like?
Well, that’s a tricky question, because sometimes my week is full and I don’t have time to breathe or rest. and I’m working with Alessandra, and then I’m working in the pre-production with other clients or projects, and sometimes I need to cover a show. So, I’m rushing here and there, but always happy to do it. Sometimes I don’t have any work to do during the week or weeks. I think it is a big challenge to work as a freelancer; you always need to find work. But I really enjoy the different levels of emotions that you can find in this path.
To date, you’ve worked on a multitude of short films and music videos as Director of Photography. This includes the film Fenced, which has won multiple awards and screenings at festivals. What would you say have been your career highlights and why?
My career as Director of Photography has been a lot of highlights, I’m very thankful with the universe and life because I’ve been blessing with work and good opportunities, and I’ve met very special people who have promoted my career and believed in my work like Tarah Who?. I’ve been working with them since 2017 as a photographer for some shows or also portraits for the band, and then as Director of Photography for their music videos. This year we shot the new one “Pantomath”. For me Tarah it’s been a big light and highlight with my career and they have been a big support to push me to be a better Director of Photography, building my skills. That gave me the opportunity to shoot other music videos with other artists, like Sofía Reyes, and this year with Devi Nova.
Also Fenced it’s been a big highlight because, for me, it was my little baby that showed my skills as director photography to tell stories with images and connect with other people.
What other projects should we look forward to seeing you involved in?
Well, this year has been crazy, with this pandemic that came to stop the world for a while. But, putting aside the pandemic, I have a couple of projects coming up like my first feature film called “Guajalote” as Director of Photography. I’m so happy for this big opportunity. Also, I have a surprise with the girls of Tarah Who?, launching soon a series of live sessions. So, hopefully, soon I can get more projects that later I can share with you guys.
Where will our readers find out more about you?
First, I want to thank you guys for the interview, and for letting me share with you who I am. And well you can find part of my work on my site: www.mariaquintanab.com and also you can follow my work on Instagram as @ninapapalote and also you can like my fan page on Facebook https://www.facebook.com/ninapapalote and yes my AKA is Niña Papalote that means “Kite Girl” but because in English you don’t have the letter “Ñ” I have to put Nina.
Photo Credits: Freddy Del Rosal and Anne Gustafson,
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