About:

I am a Mexican American photographer born in Hermosillo, Sonora, Mexico, son of the late painter and sculptor Doctor Daniel H. Navarro. I was encouraged to appreciate art from an early age, as well as, the precise singularity of capturing the moment due to my fathers’ incessant photography and video taping of the family. My interest was sparked as a child, but I didn’t actually participate in my new hobby until junior high school.

 

I was involved in the outdoors and because of my enthusiasm for nature and it’s mysteries, I was labelled a naturalist. My personal explorations into photography started off at first by documenting my travels to the snowy White Mountains of Arizona or the deserts of Sonora while on school outings and vacations. During my undergraduate education at the Autonomous University of Baja California I attained a Bachelors in Computer Science.

This accomplishment was the beginning of a new chapter in my life moving from my beloved Mexico to live full time in the United States. There I continued my education attaining the needed certifications for my field of work. Soon followed my employment as a senior international on-site super computer technician. This afforded the availability to travel and nourish my love of photography in an ever-changing environment working in China, Brazil, Indonesia, Canada and England. The thirst to know more led me to advance my knowledge in the field via distance learning coursework from the New York Institute of Photography.

The next important chapter in my life was my enlistment in the United States Coast Guard. In the service I was allowed and urged to perfect my skills and knowledge being made the official ship photographer for their newest cutter. While in this position I received several awards from the Commandant, most notably a Letter of Commendation for my photography and video-graphic project of the cutter. This led to my next big decision to take my skills even further and turn my passion into a full time career.

At the end of my enlistment I decided to pursue my love of photography and returned to civilian life where I applied and was admitted to the Academy of Art University. Here I have encountered a great environment where I’m able to fill in the huge gaps of my photographic knowledge, as well as, work on perfecting my craft.

My personal reasons for pursuing my graduate degree are to attain the skills I need to work in the field that I love. During my time at AAU I have acquired a valuable skillset that has opened doors and opportunities I would have never experienced professionally and personally. Creating a desire to continue my education further with the goal of a PhD in Architectural preservation. In addition I plan to have a private photography practice to be able to fund my personal projects.

Image (c)2011 Philip Pacheco


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