Meet Nash Moreno
Photographer and Documentary Film Maker
Do you know that feeling when you are scrolling through Instagram, or you stumble upon a website of beautiful images and it just pulls you in? Well, that is what happened when I came across Nash Moreno’s article in Edible San Luis Obispo. He has an eye for capturing the true essence of the North West. Here is his story.
Nash, can you tell me a little about yourself?
Hey Malcolm, thank you so much for reaching out!
A little about myself… I was born and raised in Santa Maria CA. The firstborn son of two immigrant parents from Michoacan, Mexico. Growing up I was always learning and striving to experience new things. The History, Discovery and Animal Planet channels raised me while my parents worked to provide my siblings and me a comfortable life.
After Highschool, I moved to the Bay Area to pursue my first love, Technology. With no formal college education, I was given an opportunity at a small Tech Startup in San Francisco. After learning and growing in that company I was offered a better position at a different startup. This new position gave me the financial means to pursue a hobby of mine that was always secondary due to the nature of how expensive the hobby is. This hobby, of course, is Photography.
I purchased my first professional camera when I was 24. The great thing about Photography is that no matter how much or how long you stick with it, there is always something to learn, always something to see and always different ways to see it.
I moved back to my hometown and have been pursuing my dream of making Photography my career and main source of income. Coming back home with this new photography mindset really opened my eyes to things I never noticed growing up. This has been the driving force of my latest string of projects to document and bring to light interesting companies, people and conservation efforts here in my backyard.
When was the first time you picked up a camera and do you remember the first picture you took?
The earliest memory I have taking photos was a field trip I took during elementary school to Cal Poly. We went to check out the agriculture programs they had and I remember taking photos of the facilities and their cows.
Among your works, which one is your favorite? Why?
I don’t think I have a favorite that sticks out right away. The fun thing about Photography is that some images that you think won’t do so well end up being crowd favorites and it surprises you. I can tell you that the project, images, and documentary I am most proud of is the work I did with Morro Bay Oyster Co. It was the first documentary and publication I created with a $0 budget. The documentary reached over 16,000 people and the story and photographs were exclusively published in Edible San Luis Obispo.
Whose work has influenced you most?
I try to mix and recreate the styles and lighting of famed portrait photographers and artists like Richard Avedon, Rembrandt, Mapplethorpe and Diego Velazquez with Famed photojournalist and nat geo photographers like Steve McCurry, Dorthea Lange, and Andrei Duman.
From your point of view what makes a good picture?
Composition, Subject, and Lighting. I feel these three aspects are what create the story of a photograph. A great photograph tells a story.
You are a man that wears many hats. What are you passionate about?
I am passionate about my family and my home, California’s Central Coast. I am passionate about storytelling and how telling stories can change the world. I am passionate about Technology and the advancement and empowerment of humankind as a whole.
Do you have any projects in the works now?
I have a few things in the pipeline right now but I am still working on getting funding for them, so that’s my main project right now. Fundraising.
How can people keep up with you and your photography?
People can keep up with me through Instagram (@nashmorenophotography) and My website (nashmoreno.com). Feel free to reach out to me! I love meeting and talking to new people.
Nash, thank you so much and I wish you the best on all your upcoming projects.
