You take pictures?
That’s how the question usually starts.
And I smile — because they have no idea what I actually do.
I’ve been trusted to photograph:
- Presidents
- Royalty
- EGOT, Grammy, Emmy, and Nobel Peace Prize winners
- Super Bowl champions
- Fortune 500 CEOs
- Global leaders across industries
But it’s not about the titles.
It’s about the trust.
I’m often the one documenting conferences of thousands — not just from the back of the room, but right there with leadership. I’ve stood beside executives and changemakers during their quietest, most human moments — when the public-facing persona drops for a second, and all that’s left is truth.
That trust isn’t about having a good camera.
It’s about how I move.
It’s about how I see.
It’s about what I understand without needing to be told.
This isn’t event coverage. This is visual strategy.
This is how legacy gets remembered.
So yes — I take pictures.
But if that’s all you see, you’re missing the point.
How I Found My Voice Behind the Lens
When I first picked up a camera, I wasn’t trying to become a photographer.
It was 2020. The world had gone still, and my life was unraveling in ways I hadn’t expected. I was navigating a divorce. I had just been laid off. I was adjusting to life as a single mother — just me and my son, trying to create something steady in the quiet.
At the time, I had recently completed a photography certificate course at the University of the Arts in Philadelphia. I only enrolled to learn the basics — to give my mind something to focus on during a season of uncertainty.
But that camera gave me more than technical skill.
It gave me a new way to see.
It gave me purpose.
And slowly, it gave me a path forward.
I’ve Always Been an Artist — Even Before the Camera
Before photography, there was paint, charcoal, and canvas.
Growing up in Philadelphia, I spent Saturdays and summers in advanced drawing and painting classes at the University of the Arts. Art was my first language — how I made sense of silence, processed the world, and learned to read emotion before I could name it.
At 16, I left Central High School — one of the top public schools in the country — to raise my son. That choice didn’t pull me away from ambition; it reshaped my understanding of it.
At 17, I earned my GED with a 3.5 GPA — without studying. It reminded me I could adapt quickly, learn on my own terms, and succeed without following the standard script.
Years later, I returned to the University of the Arts, this time as a photography student. Not for a diploma, but to reconnect with myself after everything I thought was certain had shifted.
I didn’t realize it then, but I was building the foundation for everything that came next.
Building Emmages: From Personal Rebuild to Strategic Studio
What began as a tool for healing became a path toward mastery.
The Instagram Journey:
At first, I would go out once a week to a different neighborhood with a simple goal: take at least seven pictures I was happy with. I challenged myself to post one picture a day, purely for myself — to show up, to heal, and to honor my own journey.
That consistency and focus became a visible record of my growth. Eventually, a creative director noticed my work on Instagram and invited me to join his team to cover the 45th AFSCME convention. That assignment included photographing Josh Shapiro, Marty Walsh, Stacey Abrams, and other high-profile leaders. I was trusted to stay close to AFSCME President Lee Saunders for the entire conference, capturing exclusive candid, backstage moments.
That was my first high-profile event. From there, I was thrust into action and rose to the occasion immediately — and it set the tone for every high-level assignment since, including work with CGI, AnitaB.org, and other institutions.
My personal black-and-white photography — documented on Instagram — isn’t just art. It’s the foundation of my professional perspective, shaping how I see moments, anticipate emotion, and capture meaningful stories.
Today, I’m the founder and principal photographer of Emmages — a strategic event photography studio trusted by institutions including:
The Clinton Foundation, AnitaB.org, Bristol Myers Squibb, The Third Circuit Court of Appeals, and AFSCME, among others.
My work is rooted in more than aesthetics. It’s about clarity, presence, and purpose — especially in high-stakes, emotionally significant spaces where visibility matters.
I’ve been privileged to bring my lens to some of the most consequential moments:
Clinton Global Initiative Annual Meeting — Capturing leaders like President Bill Clinton, President Joe Biden and Dr. Jill Biden, Prince Harry, Secretary Hillary Clinton, Bill Gates, and a host of global changemakers. This wasn’t just a high-profile gathering — it was a convergence of vision and action. My goal was to go beyond portraits, translating each keynote and candid exchange into images that speak to purpose, partnership, and impact.
Grace Hopper Celebration (AnitaB.org) — Documenting one of the largest gatherings of women and nonbinary technologists in the world, with keynote appearances by Viola Davis, America Ferrera, and Angelica Ross. My work captured keynote moments, executive leadership, and the collective energy of thousands of attendees — visuals that were later selected for AnitaB.org’s 2025 campaign, a testament to how deeply they aligned with the organization’s evolving voice and mission.
Judge Gail Weilheimer’s Investiture Ceremony — Photographed the rare and historic appointment of U.S. District Judge Gail Weilheimer, attended by Governor Josh Shapiro, U.S. Senators, and White House representatives. Select images were requested by the Third Circuit Court of Appeals for archival preservation, underscoring the trust and discretion required to capture this moment.
These assignments have shaped my role as more than a photographer: I am a visual partner, trusted to interpret meaning, reflect intention, and create work that helps people and institutions feel both seen and understood.
What It Means to Be Seen — And to See Others Clearly
As a Black and Puerto Rican woman, I’m often the only woman of color photographer in the room. That reality has shaped not only how I see — but also how I’m seen. It’s sharpened my attention to emotional nuance and deepened my commitment to telling stories with empathy and intention.
Sometimes, that fills me with pride — knowing I’m making space for others who rarely see themselves behind the lens.
Other times, it’s complicated. Visibility without community can feel isolating. But I carry that awareness into every room and let it sharpen how I see.
Representation shapes how stories are told — and who gets remembered.
And when you’re forging a path rarely seen for someone who looks like you, the stakes feel even higher.
That’s why I center authenticity, dignity, and clarity in every assignment. Because when we control the lens, we help shape the narrative — not just for our clients, but for everyone who comes after us.
Final Thoughts: I Didn’t Find Photography — It Found Me
People often ask how I became a photographer.
The truth? I found the camera during a moment of stillness and survival. I didn’t set out to build a business. I was simply trying to find something steady — something that could help me make sense of everything I was carrying.
At first, photography was a way to focus. A way to pay attention. But over time, I realized I was learning how to tell the truth — through light, timing, composition, and care.
What started as a coping mechanism became a calling.
And that calling became a mission.
Today, I use photography to help people see the power of what they’re building — through intention, emotional intelligence, and visual clarity. Whether I’m capturing a global summit or an intimate gathering, my goal is the same: to reflect purpose and preserve presence.
I’m still here.
Still growing.
Still learning.
And I’m just getting started.
—
Andriana Ortiz
Founder & Principal Photographer, Emmages
Related Reading
- What to Look for in a Corporate Event Photographer
- Power, Proximity, and Presence
- The Shot No One Else Got
Ready to Elevate Your Next Event?
If you want your event photography to reflect authentic stories of resilience, connection, and impact, let’s talk. At Emmages, we specialize in crafting visuals that resonate deeply and inspire meaningful engagement.
Get in touch to discuss how we can bring your brand’s story to life with intentional, heartfelt photography, or explore our full range of services.
