Member of the Month May 2021 Azucena Varela
What is your current position and who is your employer?
Staff Photojournalist at KNBC 4 Los Angeles in the Orange County Bureau since September 2020.
When did you become a PPAGLA member?
In 2008
How did you hear about the group?
When I was working at Univision 34 KMEX from Art Quezada
How long have you been a photojournalist and how did you get started?
13 amazing years and counting. -2004 My career began at Santa Cruz community television. I worked in several departments...tape operator/ translator / and equipment check out. -2006 Graduated from UC Santa Cruz with a degree in photography. Landed a job at channel 62 KRCA now called Estrella TV. I learned on the job how to adapt to any circumstances that came my way. I started as a freelance photographer and after a few months I was hired as a staff photographer. -2007 Univision KMEX 34 was an opportunity I couldn’t turn down. I began working as an editor then moved into operating live trucks, working in the field with reporters editing packages and doing liveshots. I was at KMEX for 8 years during my time at the station I also worked for the Network Primer Impacto , Timewarner Cable Deportes as a producer/editor.-2015 KNBC LA Current Staff Photographer.
What are some of your favorite stories and memories of your career?
I have so many favorite stories it’s difficult to narrow down to one but there is a sentimental favorite that touched my heart as a photographer. I produced and edited it. The story centers around a 2-year-old girl her love of trash trucks and a birthday celebration. It was rewarding as photojournalist telling the story thru the a toddler that turned into a feel good story.
My favorite memory in my career so far is the 8 1⁄2 months I was able to work pregnant. It empowered me to see things differently and also gave me a different perspective as a photographer on how I saw things. It empowered me to see things differently and as a photographer it changed my way of shooting stories.
What advice do you have for students and those hoping to become photojournalists?
My advice is to never give up. Especially in a male dominated field. As a female ... I am one of only a handful of women photographers in the LA market. It is a career I’m dedicated to and couldn’t have achieved this success without help along the way. Which brings me to my next piece of advice ... always be kind to those you meet because you never know when they’re going to help you out.
What is something you know now that you wish someone had told you when you were starting out?
Don’t be shy or afraid to ask questions. It can be intimidating when you start working in a major market but photographer’s in the LA Market have each others back and that’s something I learned on the job.
What is your favorite part of being a PPAGLA member?
Showcasing your work, learning from creative peers and most importantly the AWESOME yearbook!