Today we’d like to introduce you to Diego Medel.
Diego , we appreciate you taking the time to share your story with us today. Where does your story begin?
I’ve always been drawn to moments, especially in the context of real people, real places, and the split second situations that most people see in their peripheral vision and never think about again..
I grew up in the city, attending Crockett High school and often riding the #1 bus up and down congress to jobs I worked all around downtown Austin. On the countless bus rides I spent a lot of time watching the moments both inside and outside of the glass windows as the bus drove me through the city early mornings and late nights. The moments and the things I saw stuck with me, but I never captured them to share with anyone but myself.
I got my first camera when I was 17, after working three years as a host and food runner at a local tex-mex joint. It was the cheapest nikon dslr I could find. I took it with me everywhere I went, for the next three years as I attended UT Austin it was my companion.
When I was 20, like most people I was completely lost, searching for purpose and paying for a degree I never really wanted. So I did the sensible thing and dropped out of school and went to the Army. My time in the service took me to 4 different bases and 6 different states in the US. Not bad for a kid who never left Austin or even flown on a plane.
At 22 I came back home, returned to my studies and secured a role as an archeologist with the USDA in Alabama. It wasn’t a bad gig but pushing papers for the government wasn’t exactly my dream career.
At 24, I lost my brother to suicide and decided to change my entire life, once again. I dropped out of my final year at UT and left my archeology gig in Alabama. Learned to code and got certified by UT Austin to be a full stack developer. Would you be able to guess that I hated it? Before I even applied to a coding job I stopped, the thought of being a keyboard jockey all day frightened me.
So I re-enrolled in school, this time at Texas State University, I wanted to finish something in a saga of years defined by jumping around from career to career. I landed on Digital Media as a major, sounded fun and brought me back to creative spaces while keeping tech in the forefront and offering a variety of career options to choose between.
In my last year, I met the love of my life, she reignited a fire in my heart that had extinguished during my time in the service. Thanks to her, I picked up an old friend, my camera. Little did I know the click of the shutter would change everything.
Since that fateful day, I have split my time between photojournalism, event and artist coverage, and street photography. Lately, my work has centered on themes of community, culture, and visibility—trying to photograph not just what is happening, but why it matters.
I wouldn’t say I’m “there” yet, but I’ve come a long way by chasing what moves me. I think back to the first 10k race I ran in Hawaii while I was stationed there—me and this one other runner spent the whole race trading places, pushing each other forward without ever saying a word. At the end, we finally talked, and realized we’d both needed that silent rivalry to keep going.
That’s how I approach life now. You’ve got to chase something—not someone else, but the version of yourself that you were yesterday. Try to outrun them. And when you do, wake up the next day and chase that version down, too.
Because if you don’t, someone else out there is on your heels. And they won’t hesitate to pass you.
Alright, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
Not even close.
If I’ve learned anything, it’s that the road only looks smooth in the rearview mirror. In real time, it’s potholes, detours, engine failure, and a GPS that keeps recalculating every six months.
I’ve dropped out of college twice, joined the military without ever stepping on a plane before, lived in six different states, buried a brother, switched careers more times than I can count, and nearly trapped myself in a tech job I would’ve hated—all before I turned 25.
Each shift felt like starting over. And every time I thought I had it figured out, life politely reminded me that I didn’t.
Grief was a major turning point. Losing my brother made me stop everything and reassess what I actually cared about—what I was willing to build a life around. That kind of clarity doesn’t come easy. It hurts. But it also cuts through the noise.
I’ve learned that struggle isn’t the obstacle—it is the path. I don’t romanticize it, but I’ve stopped running from it. Most of the good things in my life came from moments that didn’t feel good at the time.
So no, it hasn’t been smooth. But it’s been real. And I think that matters more.
Thanks – so what else should our readers know about your work and what you’re currently focused on?
I’m a photographer and visual storyteller based in Austin, Texas, with a focus on photojournalism, documentary work, and cultural events. I specialize in capturing people in motion—whether that’s musicians onstage, protestors in the streets, or communities in the middle of something real. My work leans into authenticity, with a preference for natural light, lived-in environments, and visual honesty over polish.
I’ve documented everything from music festivals and art shows to grassroots political movements, often navigating the space between art and journalism. I’m most proud of the work that gives something back—whether it’s highlighting underrepresented communities or helping independent artists and organizers tell their stories.
What sets me apart is the way I show up. I’m not just pointing a camera—I’m participating, engaging, listening. I try to blend in and earn trust, which lets me capture the kind of candid moments that people don’t usually get to see. Also, I move fast. I deliver quickly, shoot efficiently, and adapt on the fly. Basically, I’m your favorite kind of chaotic neutral with a camera.
Before we let you go, we’ve got to ask if you have any advice for those who are just starting out?
The most important part of doing anything—creative or otherwise—is to actually do it. Not talk about it. Not romanticize it. Just do the thing.
Everyone’s scared. Everyone second-guesses themselves. The difference between people who make it and people who don’t usually isn’t talent—it’s consistency. It’s showing up even when you’re anxious, unsure, broke, or convinced you’re wasting your time.
When I was starting out, I thought I needed permission. Or the right gear. Or more experience. I didn’t. I just needed to start. Looking back, I wish I’d known that nobody’s going to walk up and knight you as a “real artist.” You become one by making the work, over and over, until you start recognizing yourself in it.
So if you’re waiting for the fear to go away—it won’t. Do it anyway. The fear just means you care. Let it ride shotgun.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://diegomedel.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/framedbydiego/
- LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/diego-medel-680b29243/
Image Credits
All images by Diego Medel (me)
