Valentina Ortiz de Zárate
I was born in Buenos Aires, Argentina, but moved to the U.S. at a very young age and grew up in the suburbs of Washington DC. I have always liked to photograph unique moments while on any adventure. From wandering around famous gardens with my family to roaming the streets of the nation’s capital, my camera is always with me to capture the memories I make and the stories I want to tell.
I have been interested in environmental work since I was little, having baking sales as a kid to donate what I raised to organizations like the World Wildlife Fund (WWF) so they can help protect the panda bears, my favorite animal, from going extinct. Animal extinction was a concept that I could not fathom as a child, and ever since, I've wanted to do my part in saving the planet and all the beautiful wonders it holds. Wanting to use the technical skills I developed over the years to help create solutions to these environmental issues, I pursued a degree and career in environmental engineering. The interdisciplinary nature of environmental work has allowed me to develop my creative side by using environmental photography as a way to advance my perspective and abilities.
I like to strive to photograph the inner workings of ecosystems, inspiring engineering feats, and the harsh environmental realities of our planet. Environmental photography can be a way to capture changes in nature and showcase both the beautiful and the ugly of our world. With the possibility to promote change, I believe that photographs can inspire to create solutions to urban environmental challenges.
