Silvia Catalán: The Visionary Photographer Behind Iconic Celebrity Moments
Renowned for her exceptional talent and dedication to the art of photography, Silvia Catalán has cemented her place as one of Spain’s most influential photographers. Hailing from the vibrant region of Navarra, Silvia’s lens captures not just images but the essence of her subjects, making her the go-to artist for celebrities and public figures seeking timeless, impactful portraits. Her artistry and commitment to excellence have earned her the «Recognition for Outstanding Work in Art» Award from the Government of Navarra, a testament to her unparalleled contributions to the creative industry.
Silvia’s expertise extends beyond the studio, with collaborations in Spanish television further showcasing her versatility and creative vision. Her ability to connect with her subjects on a profound level transforms her photographs into powerful visual narratives, resonating with viewers worldwide.
In this exclusive interview with Perumira, Silvia opens up about her journey in the competitive world of photography, the challenges of portraying high-profile personalities, and her advice for aspiring photographers—especially women—seeking to carve their path in this dynamic field.
Stay tuned as we explore the artistry, innovation, and resilience of Silvia Catalán, a trailblazer redefining photography with her unique perspective and undeniable talent. Her story is not just inspiring; it’s a celebration of the power of creativity and determination. Don’t miss this exclusive conversation with one of Spain’s leading lights in photography.
Silvia Catalán @silvia_catalan_fotografia
1. Silvia, as one of the most celebrated photographers, what inspired you to start your journey in photography?
I started in photography by chance. I studied hairdressing, and in one of the salons where I worked, a photographer used come to get a haircut. One day, he asked if I wanted to work as a makeup artist and hairstylist for a model at a photo shoot, and I said yes. Seeing that world fascinated me. After that day, I did a few sessions as a model myself, which sparked my curiosity about how photos were edited, so I installed Photoshop on my computer. I think it was Photoshop CS2 (it’s now on version 24).
As I love drawing, I really enjoyed creating montages, editing, and exploring Photoshop’s features. At that time, I didn’t have internet at home, so I learned through trial and error. Later, I opened my own beauty salon, which led me to organize events and fashion shows. At one of these events, someone lent me a camera, and I was captivated by that world. When a crisis hit my business, I decided to close the beauty salon, and after a year off, I began my new journey in life as a professional photographer.
2. How did you transition from being a photographer to becoming a recognized entrepreneur in the photography industry?
Thank you so much for your kind words and positive feedback about me and my work. It’s true that lately, I feel my career is really taking off, and that many years of effort and dedication are finally paying off. I can’t quite pinpoint the exact reason for this, but I believe one of the keys to success in any career or job is being empathetic towards others, understanding their needs, and connecting with clients to know what results they want to achieve.
Being consistent, hardworking, and resilient, and having people around who support you, are crucial. I believe that in both personal and professional life, empathy towards others is fundamental. I value people who appreciate others and think that everyone has the same worth and that we are all equals. With consistency and perseverance, I believe everyone can achieve their dreams.
3. What challenges did you face as a woman building a business in the creative field, and how did you overcome them?
Photography is predominantly a male-dominated field, but I believe we’ve made significant strides. Especially in the beginning, I had to endure some comments that have stuck with me, like «Are you focusing with the camera?” or «You don’t know what you’re talking about.» Fortunately, these instances have been rare, and honestly, I get along very well with both my male and female photographer colleagues. In fact, it brings me great joy when I run into a fellow photographer at an event or location. As for gender equality in my profession, I haven’t faced many obstacles luckily.
4. As a female entrepreneur, what strategies have been essential to your success in such a competitive industry?
Consistency, perseverance, publicity, a lot of publicity, showing your work to the world, trying to do something different, and as I mentioned before (it’s not a strategy, because that’s just my character, that’s who I am), but I believe it’s essential to think about others and be empathetic.
5. Your work has captured celebrities and high-profile events. How do you balance artistic integrity with commercial success?
When working with celebrities and artists, it’s essential to know what you want to achieve and the desired outcome before starting a project. It’s important to discuss the session, wardrobe, schedules, and specify what the photos are for and the type of photos before the photoshoot. Photos for a poster, an album cover, or promotional materials are not the same; each session must always be planned in advance. I’ve never had any issues in that regard. It’s always crucial to be very discreet with the photos and respect the project’s presentation timelines.
6. Photography is both an art and a business. How do you stay creative while managing the business side of your career?
Creativity should never be stifled, as it is the essence of our work. You need to work hard and fight for the opportunity to do the kind of work that makes you happy. If you’re involved in a type of photography that doesn’t fulfill you, direct your efforts toward what truly inspires you. By doing what you love, both in and out of work, you will find happiness.
7. What advice would you give to women who aspire to turn their passion for photography into a successful business?
Go for it and fight for your dreams. If you don’t try, you’ll never know.
8. Can you share a pivotal moment in your career that helped you grow as a photographer and entrepreneur?
The moment I received the Recognition Award for work in the Art Category 2023 from the Government of Navarra was a crucial moment in my career. It was then that I decided to commit even more to my career project and give it my all to achieve my dreams.
9. How important is networking and building relationships in the photography and creative industries?
I believe that, as in all careers, humans need other people for their existence. This need is not only professional but also emotional. As I mentioned earlier, empathy is fundamental for establishing beautiful and lasting relationships in any area of life. There are many types of relationships; some people adopt a more intimidating or «wild» stance in business, but I think the most beautiful and lasting relationships are those based on respect. We all need others, and that enriches our lives. Networking is absolutely necessary. You need to surround yourself with a capable team: makeup artists, hairdressers, media, magazines, models… If you base your relationships on affection, trust, and respect, as I mentioned before, in all areas of life, everything will be more beautiful and turn out better.
10. You’ve received prestigious awards, including government recognition. What do these accolades mean to you as a professional and as a woman?
It means confirming the desire to continue on that path, to remain consistent, to work hard, and to fight for your project.
11. Many aspiring photographers struggle to find their niche. How did you identify yours, and what advice would you give on this?
At the beginning, I tried all kinds of photography until one day I did a Fineart session, and from that moment on, I knew that this was the style I wanted to pursue. So, I dedicated all my effort, time, and resources to buying material and equipment to focus my career on this type of photography.
The advice I would give to those who want to start in photography and find their style is to experiment and explore what they like, what motivates them, what fulfills them, what they are good at, and what makes them happy, so they can focus on that.
12. As someone who collaborates with media outlets, how do you use these platforms to empower and inspire other women?
I use various platforms to gain visibility and showcase my work. I believe it’s crucial for people to know who you are and what you’re capable of doing. For someone to potentially hire you, they first need to know what you do, how you do it, and what kind of person they will be dealing with. You might have excellent work, but if no one sees it, it’s as if it doesn’t exist.
13. What role has mentorship played in your career, and how do you mentor the next generation of female photographers?
My experience has been completely self-taught. I didn’t study photography formally and have learned through trial and error. As I’m passionate about it, I’ve been curious from the start, moving lights around to see how the final work turned out with different illuminations. With Photoshop, I discovered what the different tools did almost like a game that I found entertaining.
Today, there are many resources available, such as courses, tutorials, filters, and plugins, offering a wide variety of ways to learn. I think training is important, but the most crucial aspect of photography is having sensitivity and intuition. With these qualities, you have a significant advantage. Adding enthusiasm, effort, and time to that creates the perfect combination.
14. In a constantly evolving field, how do you keep up with new photography techniques and trends?
The truth is that nowadays we are all connected and everything is interconnected; as soon as a new trend emerges, it’s impossible not to find out about it. It’s just a matter of staying alert.
15. Work-life balance is a challenge for many entrepreneurs. How do you manage your time between work and personal life?
It really is complicated. Having your own business usually means working more hours, having a lot of responsibility, and dealing with stress. On the other hand, it has many advantages and good things. I try to make sure that my free time is of quality. I do things I enjoy with people I love. And because I am passionate about my work (even though, as I mentioned, the responsibility of having your own business is greater, it’s also very rewarding), every time I have a photo session, it gives me a boost of energy.
16. What’s one piece of advice you wish someone had given you when you were starting your photography career?
Looking back now, I don’t think I would change anything. I believe in destiny and that if something is meant to happen, it will. If it hasn’t happened, it’s for a reason. I believe in opportunities and that closed doors often lead to better ones. In other words, if I were to go back and give myself advice, I might change some of the experiences I’ve had, and I might not be where I am today. I wouldn’t want anything to change. So, I wouldn’t tell myself anything.
17. How can women photographers use their craft to tell stories that inspire change and empowerment?
Even just the fact that, looking back, photography has been dominated by men (like many other fields), I think it’s a great advance that there are now a multitude of women photographers. That in itself is already significant. Now it’s no longer seen as an almost exclusively male sector, we are here and we matter.
18. Finally, what’s next for you, Silvia? Are there any upcoming projects or collaborations that excite you?
Yes, I have many projects, and I’m very excited. Soon, the cover of a vinyl record will be released, as well as a magazine cover featuring an international figure, along with several fascinating projects that can’t be revealed yet. I invite readers to follow me on my social media, where they will be warmly welcomed and can see my future works and projects.
Interview with Silvia Catalán by Jaime William Mostacero Baca
Jaime William & Leading Ladies – Silvia Catalán
