Who are? Tell us your story in a few short sentences.
I’m a photographer and creative director working across travel, hospitality, and marketing. My perspective centers on the quieter moments that reveal how a place can make you feel. I co-founded Cercano, a studio built around that same view, documenting the atmosphere of a destination and the people who bring it to life through photography and film.
In what ways does your work give you purpose? How does it fulfil you?
Work takes up so much of who we are, and I’m grateful that mine gives me a sense of meaning. I wasn’t always creative. Sixteen years ago, after losing my brother, I found photography. It showed me how powerful a single image can be and how it can hold something words can’t. My work gives me purpose because it lets me make sense of the world through that lens. It’s a way to slow down, pay attention, and see beauty in ordinary things. I find fulfillment in the process itself—collaborating, creating, and capturing something that feels honest. I used to dream about this life, and now that I’m living it, I try to stay present.
What are the moments you feel most grateful for what you do?
I’m most grateful for the people and experiences that come with this work. When someone connects with what I create and trusts me to tell their story. When I’m surrounded by friends and people whose talent I deeply admire. When small encounters remind me how kind people can be and how connected the world really is. I’m grateful for the moments that bring perspective, that challenge me, and that remind me how fortunate I’ve been along the way.
ALEX ORTEGA
What's the most surprising way your work has changed you?
It goes back to that sense of fulfillment. In my previous career in banking, I never felt connected to what I was doing. Changing paths gave me the chance to feel like myself again. It’s shifted what I value and how I move through life. I place less weight on things and more on experiences. My work has made me more reflective, more appreciative, and more grateful for where I am and who I get to share it with. It’s also shown me how much of what I once believed about the world was incomplete.
How do you balance presence and productivity in your life?
The truth is, career growth is a priority for me right now, so balance isn’t always there. But when you love what you do, it often doesn’t feel like work. Staying active helps me keep perspective. Running, training, and spending time outdoors clear my mind and help me reset when things start to feel heavy.
When do you feel most vulnerable?
Inherently, most people feel vulnerable when they put their work out into the world. I would say the same is true for me. It’s a strange mix of pride and uncertainty. You wonder how it will be received, if it’s good enough, if it represents you the way you hope it does. There’s always a bit of imposter syndrome that comes with that. The questions of what I have to offer, or why me, never fully go away. But that vulnerability keeps me grounded and reminds me I still care deeply about what I do. That, and flying in a propeller plane.
What role does Agora play in your creative journey?
The Agora plays a meaningful role in my journey. The opportunity to collaborate came at a time of reflection, when I was asking myself what comes next. Cercano was still taking shape, and the chance to create something together felt deeply aligned. Now and then, the universe gets the timing right, and this was one of those moments. This project represents the beginning of our story, and we’re grateful for the trust The Agora placed in us. It gave us a foundation to build from and a sense of direction for what’s ahead.
If you had to describe yourself beyond your work, what would that sound like?
Outside of work, I live a quiet life. I try not to take things too seriously, and I know I’ll always be a kid at heart. I’m someone who rarely says no to things and is always up for an adventure. Who I am naturally finds its way into my work through a mix of calm, color, intention, and playfulness.
