My name is Ivan Camarena, and I’m a 25-year-old film photographer from Salinas, California. I grew up in a low-income community, where creativity often came from making the most of what you had. Through curiosity and persistence, I taught myself how to photograph using an old film camera — learning through trial, patience, and long walks with a camera in hand.

The streets of Salinas and Oakland became my classroom. They taught me to see light, people, and moments with honesty. Film photography gave me a language to document the world as I experience it — slow, intentional, imperfect, and real.

My work often explores memory, place, and identity — from the neighborhoods that raised me to the countries that continue to shape my understanding of belonging. Every photograph is an attempt to hold onto something fleeting, to honor the small details that make life human.

For inquiries or collaborations:
📩 Ivancamarena.co@gmail.com 📷 Instagram: @ivanrcamarena