Marcos Contreras uses a compelling documentary style to tell a story near and dear to him, that of his father’s, one of hard work and dedication, and then strength it took to start out as a non-English speaking Latino man working in the construction industry in the U.S.

Marcos Contreras won the Fujifilm Students of Storytelling competition for this project about his immigrant dad, illustrating how we can all have a positive impact on society by means of our own passion and determination.

Fujifilm created the contest to identify the next generation of U.S. storytellers, and to provide them with Fujifilm X Series or GFX System gear to bring their vision to life.

Rf: What interests you as a storyteller? Which stories are you drawn to?

Marcos Contreras: As a storyteller I am interested in sharing stories that go unnoticed, stories of true raw experiences that occur every day. This may consist of telling an intense story of overcoming hardship and trial as an immigrant or it could also be a delightful story of preparing a meal and the significance behind it. I am especially drawn to stories that demonstrate the diversity of our communities and country here in the U.S.

Rf: What stories do you want to share through your work?

MC: I have recently been thinking about sharing more stories about men and women of color to shed light on what their culture looks like, especially in times such as these where diversity and inclusivity are important. Through my work, I hope to provide some insight into what it looks like to be a person of color and erase any stereotypes surrounding us.

Rf: Describe the evolution of your style and approach. How has it changed over time? Why has it changed? What or who has influenced your work, and how?

MC: My journey as a photographer began with the mindset of capturing beautiful individual moments and scenery. I would take photos on my smartphone and post them to social media. Once I purchased my first DSLR, I began watching YouTube videos on photo techniques that I could produce better work. This opened up a whole new world of inspiration for me. I found many photographers and creators who were not only teaching me how to take a good photo, but what it is that makes a good photo, which is having a story to tell. Learning from great photographers like Matt Day, Joe Greer, Sean Tucker, Willem Verbeeck, Samuel Elkins and Jonathan Paragas totally changed my perspective and approach to photography. They began showing me that anyone can create a good photo with all of the right elements but a photo that tells a story is what resonates with people and that’s what viewers will remember.

Rf: What are the key things you have learned or done that have helped you advance your career since you began shooting?

MC: One simple thing I have learned is to go out and shoot, even when I am not feeling motivated to do so. I have heard many photographers say that they have gone out to shoot so frequently that their gear has become an extension of themselves. They naturally no longer think about the technicalities of their gear but rather focus on the composition and story; this is something I strive to reach. This also goes along with shooting every day to “document your life”, which is a simple concept shared by Matt Day. It is the action of shooting each day to capture memories to treasure and one day pass on.

Rf: What is the most helpful piece of advice you’ve received and followed?

MC: To have fun while practicing photography. There have been many instances when I would’ve liked shoots to go smoother or conditions to have been better, and I became frustrated. In these moments, I remembered that I love doing this because I find it fun and relaxing; becoming frustrated and anxious won’t help produce great work. Remembering that I love photography and the joy that comes with it has helped me keep a positive attitude in any situation and has improved my shooting experiences thus far.

Rf: How has passion driven your photography?

MC: At the beginning of my journey, I loved capturing nature and landscapes so my photos would be heavily focused on that. More recently I have found a passion for portraits and capturing people in their element. This is based on my interest and passion for nature, as I love shooting outdoors. My passion for photography has allowed me to have fun and enjoy the work that I do and it has become something I love doing and learning about. My desire to learn and develop my style has driven my career forward and I hope I continue to have the motivation throughout my career.

Rf: What did you learn from your father that helps drive your photography further and enhance the stories you tell in the future?

MC: I learned to have a positive outlook on even the most difficult situations. Growing up and moving to the U.S., my dad was always faced with challenges but he continued to be positive and looked for a solution. My dad is a big problem solver and is always working to look for the best solution to deliver quality work. He is very attentive to detail and likes things to be done right. Those qualities have inspired me to do the same with my photography and my life in general. I hope to be someone with a positive attitude that people like to be around no matter the situation. When it comes to photography, I hope to be ready for any shoot and provide the best quality work. I am working on maintaining a positive attitude and being quick to problem solve when a shoot goes south.

Rf: How have your studies affected your approach to photography and storytelling?

MC: My college studies have not affected my approach to photography or storytelling since I am a business major.

Rf: Can you tell us about your submission to Fujifilm’s Students of Storytelling program? How you came up with the project?

MC: For the Fujifilm’s Students of Storytelling program, I decided to share my father’s story of how he moved to the U.S and worked to become a business owner. I would also like to document what his work looks like and what kind of impact his industry has on our daily lives. I came up with this project because growing up I would hear the occasional story of what it was like for him growing up. I finally wanted to piece everything together. He has worked very hard to be where he is today, and I would like to showcase that hard work.

Rf: What works have you produced with your new Fujifilm systems?

MC: I continue to create portraits of my father and document what his work looks like. Through these images I hope to provide deeper insight into what it looks like to be a Latino in the construction industry.

Rf: Where do you see your work going from here?

MC: To be honest I don’t really know what will happen next. I would love to continue to discover my unique style and develop my skills so that I can become a freelance photographer. I also desire to continue producing work for myself and documenting my own life so that one day I have beautiful memories to look back on. I am currently focusing on a career in business but depending on how my side jobs turn out, I would possibly consider becoming a full-time photographer.

Rf: Which brand, media outlet or agency is your ideal client? And why?

MC: I would love to partner with brands, magazines and newspapers that are interested in supporting people of all ethnicities and backgrounds, especially within the outdoor creative space. Some brands and magazines that come to mind are Fujifilm, Nisolo, Runner’s World and TIME. I would love to work with brands that support minorities and people of color because being a Latino myself, I am looking to help empower other fellow Latino’s to excel in life. I believe that everyone deserves to have a chance to pursue success within their passions which may be in anything such as sports, fashion, business or photography.

Visit the official Fujifilm Students of Storytelling site for more information about the complete program. Follow @in.his.hands to stay up to date with Marcos Contreras.