Today we’d like to introduce you to Edgar Amaro.
Hi Edgar, can you start by introducing yourself? We’d love to learn more about how you got to where you are today?
I grew up in Monterrey, Mexico, where I was born. In 2002, when I was 12, my family and I moved to the US to get away from the rising crime and look for a better life for us. My parents always stressed that their goal was for my twin sister and I to get a better education in the states, while also being safe. My father had already experienced ugly encounters with a crime in Mexico, his goal was to keep us safe and offer better opportunities for us – I will always be grateful for his and my mother’s sacrifice to bring us to the states.
We settled in Lufkin, Texas, where I went to Middle School and High School. I attended Stephen F. Austin State University, where I majored in IT. While attending SFA, around 2009, I enrolled in my first Photography class.. and this is where everything started.
Since then, my passion and love for photography was born. Photography is something that has always been present in my life, however, it was never something I took extremely serious until now. It was not until 2020 that I started thinking about maybe someday having my own photography business.
If it weren’t for my parent’s sacrifice I would not be here today. I have a Masters in Technology Management, I am able to pursue my passion, photography, on the side. More importantly, I married the love of my life, Brittany, in 2021 and we are eagerly waiting for our baby girl, Kalani, to be born in just a few weeks.
Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
Moving to the states when I was 12 was one of the two biggest challenges I’ve had in my life so far. I was old enough to know we were moving, but also too young to really understand the true impact of what was happening. I did not know English, I was not familiar with the culture, I had 0 friends – it was a whole new environment for my sister and I. Learning to cope with the change and the culture shock were some of the biggest challenges I had to go through while growing up in East Texas.
The other challenge was being undocumented and being a DACA beneficiary. Being undocumented while growing up in the states came with its own stigma, much more in Texas. I was not the only kid going through this experience, nor the only family. We struggled but managed to get by. My parents provided for my sister and I and were always there to help us through middle school, high school and college. Once DACA (Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals) was put in place back in 2012, my sister and I were able to get a work permit to work in the fields we wanted and exercise our carriers.
A huge weight was lifted from our shoulders; we could finally feel somewhat ‘normal’ and truly feel like we had a bite of the ‘American Dream’. Without DACA I would not be where I am today; however, having this ‘DACA permit’ came with its own obstacles over the years. Congress’ inaction on DACA over the years was always something that made everyone in my same position nervous. We have always felt like pawns in political games, nervous if ‘the next permit we renewed would be the last one’ – always stuck in a limbo.
Alright, so let’s switch gears a bit and talk business. What should we know about your work?
Currently, I work for Microsoft as a Principal Sales Engineer. I specialized in our Conversational AI offerings, which help brands offer better customer experiences regardless of the consumer’s channel of choice.
On the side, I like to practice my photography. I specialize in street photography. I enjoy walking downtown with any of my cameras and shot candid photos of people or focus on architectural details that can help point the ‘Austin’ in Austin.
Can you talk to us a bit about the role of luck?
I don’t believe much in luck. I am a believer in always being prepared so when the right opportunity comes, you are ready to take it and prepared to tackle it.
I am, very much, a planner and like to over-plan and over-prepare for things. I always imagine 4 or 5 different ‘ways’ things could go so I am ready for any outcome.
Pricing:
- $200 – Engagement/Portrait Session
Contact Info:
- Website: https://theblur.photos
- Instagram: http://instagram.com/_theblur.photos
- Twitter: @_theblur_photos
Image Credits
Models: @brandy__lyn and @Kaitlyn_covington
