Meet Amelia Jáuregui | Cinematographer

We had the good fortune of connecting with Amelia Jáuregui and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Amelia, why did you pursue a creative career?
Truth be told, I never expected myself to end up seriously pursuing a creative career, as growing up I found myself leaning towards jobs in STEM, particularly medicine. The arts were something I viewed more as a ‘hobby,’ and not something I could genuinely pursue. However, though my goals were different, my passion was always in the arts, as I was the friend holding a camera and forcing my friends to do photoshoots, or making recap videos of trips that I went on. But until I found myself at a theater conference in my late high school years, and stumbled upon a ‘Filmmaking 101’ Workshop where the lecturer said “your passion can become your profession if you’re willing to work for it,” it hadn’t dawned on me that where I was spending my free time was in my passions, and the way I felt in my bio or chem classes was not the way I felt when holding a camera.

That was my epiphany moment – that I should pursue what brings me joy but also what aligns with my goals and values. In the same way I wanted to pursue medicine to make a positive impact on someone’s life, I realized that I could still impact those around me through storytelling and visual mediums. From there I pursued an undergraduate double degree in Multimedia Journalism and Strategic Communications, which gave me a good foundation of storytelling. However, it was through that degree I fell in love with the role of being behind the camera, and I wanted to learn how I could create beautiful images on screen like the ones I was seeing in theaters, as well as how I could take raw human emotions and implement that into narrative stories.

Though it was not a linear journey, through exploring my personal goals of wanting to impact others, and combining it with my love for storytelling and how you can combine that with the technicalities of what cinematography entails, I know I am in the right place and pursuing the right career for me. I can’t imagine pursuing anything else.

Let’s talk shop? Tell us more about your career, what can you share with our community?
While I am still in the very early stages of my professional career, I think that is partially what makes me unique. I am simultaneously learning more about the industry and what it takes to become a successful cinematographer, while also honing in on finding my creative voice and artistic style. Though I am young and still developing as an artist, I put my everything into the projects I am brought onto.

Additionally, I think my identity is something that sets me apart as a filmmaker, and it is also something I am very proud of. As a queer woman who was born and raised in suburban Texas, then spent a few years in a small-town in Oklahoma, now living in southern California, I have been able to experience a wide variety of people, geographies, lifestyles, and more. This range of living experience, while also facing many challenges along the way of self-acceptance, mental health struggles, and general growing pains, has shaped me into the storyteller I am, as well as the stories I gravitate toward as a whole.

I have never felt more myself than I have in the last year living out my dreams, fully proud of my identity, what I am pursuing professionally, and also what I stand for.

Let’s say your best friend was visiting the area and you wanted to show them the best time ever. Where would you take them? Give us a little itinerary – say it was a week long trip, where would you eat, drink, visit, hang out, etc.
This is a tough one! Being new to the city, I am still exploring myself… however I do have to say if you like coffee, I love this one spot called ‘Fan Girl Cafe.’ It’s a little coffee shop in West Hollywood that owned and operated by queer-women, and they are so supportive of creatives! I was introduced to this shop because it hosted a networking event for women pursing creative careers!

Also, you just can’t go wrong heading to Venice Beach… it may be a bit touristy, but most of my friends who would be visiting me don’t see the ocean on a regular basis, so I think it’s a worthy stop!

Shoutout is all about shouting out others who you feel deserve additional recognition and exposure. Who would you like to shoutout?
I am very fortunate to have many people I would love to shoutout, as my journey would not even exist if it wasn’t for the help and support of so many, but for today I’m going to keep it short and sweet:

I’d like to thank my parents, as their love and support in pursuing a non-traditional career is something I will be forever grateful for. I recognize how privileged it is to be able to chase my dreams and I could not be more appreciative of their help to be able to do so.

Additionally, I would like to shoutout Nina Thornton, a former supervisor and mentor of mine from my undergrad Video Internship at our schools Library. When I was just barely learning what cinematography even was, she taught me the basics of a three point lighting set-up, how to use a light meter, and so much more. She constantly checked in with me as I was applying to graduate schools and gave me a safe space to ask questions both about career goals, about life issues, while fully being able to be myself. I will be forever grateful for her bringing a little ‘slice of Hollywood’ to Stillwater, Oklahoma for me.

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ameliajauregui_/?hl=en

Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/amelia-jáuregui-837332191

Image Credits
Erika Dunn
Nic Càceres
Ayson King
Rithika Vighne