Monica transforms the 'real world' into a spectacular realm of colorful images to stimulate and enhance the imaginative circle of fashion photography.
Copa: Monica, where are you from?
Monica: I am from Sao Paulo, Brazil.
Monica: I am from Sao Paulo, Brazil.
Copa: What created your interest in Photography?
Monica: I am a visual person. Even to memorize things I have to see it first. Not sure if it was a specific moment. The only thing I know is that since the day I started, I was hooked . Love at the first sight!
Monica: I am a visual person. Even to memorize things I have to see it first. Not sure if it was a specific moment. The only thing I know is that since the day I started, I was hooked . Love at the first sight!
Copa: What was your first camera?
Monica: An old Yashica from the 70's.
Monica: An old Yashica from the 70's.
Copa: Photography is one thing, but why fashion photography?
Monica: By accident. I never ever thought of shooting fashion. I enrolled to the College Professional Photography program to become a product photographer. Shooting people is something that chose me . Just like real life, when you last expect it turns out completely different than you ever intended it to be.
Monica: By accident. I never ever thought of shooting fashion. I enrolled to the College Professional Photography program to become a product photographer. Shooting people is something that chose me . Just like real life, when you last expect it turns out completely different than you ever intended it to be.
Copa: What is your philosophy on the art of Photography?
Monica: Keep it clean, keep it simple. That's who I am as a photographer. The Best things in life are the most simple ones.
Monica: Keep it clean, keep it simple. That's who I am as a photographer. The Best things in life are the most simple ones.
Copa: Before you begin with a shoot, how do you develop your individual concept?
Monica: From an idea that can occur in the most awkward situations..I look for a team, people who I know and believe that they are capable of giving life to that vision of mine. The rest is a collaboration of creative minds. Everyone brings to the table what they do best, and at the end if I did my job right choosing my team wisely and they all were the right talent for the project, we have a win win situation.
Monica: From an idea that can occur in the most awkward situations..I look for a team, people who I know and believe that they are capable of giving life to that vision of mine. The rest is a collaboration of creative minds. Everyone brings to the table what they do best, and at the end if I did my job right choosing my team wisely and they all were the right talent for the project, we have a win win situation.
Copa: What was the most fascinating shoot you ever had and where was it?
Monica: As a Virgo striving always for perfection, I think the most fascinating shoot is the one I did not accomplish yet. I am not a photographer who enjoys for to long what was done, but I always look for new stuff. There is no place in this industry to rely on what you did earlier.
Monica: As a Virgo striving always for perfection, I think the most fascinating shoot is the one I did not accomplish yet. I am not a photographer who enjoys for to long what was done, but I always look for new stuff. There is no place in this industry to rely on what you did earlier.
Copa: What would you say are the biggest mistakes photographers make early in their careers?
Monica: They forget that they need to make a living out of it and that 'ART' is most likely not going to pay their bills at least not for a very long time until they have a name. They may change their city, but they do not charge their attitude. I saw too many people moving to other cities and after 5 years still working at the next shop to pay their bills.
Monica: They forget that they need to make a living out of it and that 'ART' is most likely not going to pay their bills at least not for a very long time until they have a name. They may change their city, but they do not charge their attitude. I saw too many people moving to other cities and after 5 years still working at the next shop to pay their bills.
Copa: What is your opinion of the DMV market for photographers?
Monica: Like everywhere else. I think the challenges just change addresses. If you don't make it here, what makes you think that you will make somewhere else?
Monica: Like everywhere else. I think the challenges just change addresses. If you don't make it here, what makes you think that you will make somewhere else?
Copa: What does the future hold for Monica True Photography?
Monica: Success! And I am well aware that everyone defines success differently. To me success embodies the privilege of doing for a living something I love. Is there anything better than to get paid to do what I love and to make a difference in the lives of the people I meet, either helping them fulfill their business vision, or creating their portraits, or even shooting an amazing story that will still exist long after Monica True is gone.
~Copa
Monica: Success! And I am well aware that everyone defines success differently. To me success embodies the privilege of doing for a living something I love. Is there anything better than to get paid to do what I love and to make a difference in the lives of the people I meet, either helping them fulfill their business vision, or creating their portraits, or even shooting an amazing story that will still exist long after Monica True is gone.
~Copa
