Meet Itzel | Cinematographer & Creative Director

We had the good fortune of connecting with Itzel and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Itzel, we’d love to hear about how you approach risk and risk-taking.
For me, risk-taking has been absolutely essential for growth. I really believe you can’t grow in your comfort zone. One of the biggest risks I took was leaving New York, where I had my whole community and my roots, and heading out to L.A. That was scary. I had a solid foundation in New York, but I felt like I was hitting a ceiling. I needed to push myself into a new environment to keep growing and to find new opportunities.

Taking risks doesn’t always mean going it alone, either. Sometimes it means stepping out of that shyness, asking for help, or just being willing to fail. I’ve learned that every risk you take, even if it leads to a stumble, teaches you something about yourself. Leaving my comfort zone and even just the journey along the way {meeting new people, seeing new places} gave me a sense of purpose and showed me there’s always more out there.

In the end, betting on yourself and being willing to step into the unknown is where a lot of growth happens. So I’d say risk-taking has been a huge part of my journey and it’s always pushed me to discover what I’m truly capable of.

Can you open up a bit about your work and career? We’re big fans and we’d love for our community to learn more about your work.
My art is really about storytelling– not just telling stories, but capturing energy, emotion, and the little moments that make people feel seen. As a cinematographer and creative director, I see my role as building bridges between vision and execution, between an idea and the way it lives on screen. I’m drawn to the beauty in everyday life (the way light moves, the way people connect) and I try to translate that into images that feel alive and authentic.

What sets me apart is that I don’t just approach my work as a technician or someone chasing perfection. I approach it as a human being first. I want people to feel something real when they watch my work. And part of that comes from my lived experiences, being part of overlooked communities, finding my own voice as a Latina creative, and being intentional about collaborating with people who share that passion for authenticity.

One of the things I’m most proud of right now is being in this exciting growth stage. I’ve had the chance to DP projects that are now making their way into festivals, And beyond my individual work, I’ve recently launched Aureus Creative, a creative agency that’s in its first year of growth. The vision behind Aureus is to merge innovation with artistry, to create branding and content that not only looks good but feels true to the people and communities it represents. It’s still growing, but I’m excited about where it’s headed.

Getting here wasn’t easy. There’s been plenty of self-doubt, financial uncertainty, and moments of wondering if I was on the right path. I’ve learned that success isn’t about moving in a straight line. It’s about resilience, community, and believing in yourself when it would be easier to give up. My mom, who passed in 2023, taught me so much about courage and love, and I carry that with me in everything I do. And my friends and creative peers continue to remind me that I’m inspiring others even when I can’t see it myself.

The biggest lessons I’ve learned are to go at your own pace, to build genuine relationships instead of transactional ones, and to take care of your mental health along the way. I want the world to know that my story is about creating space for voices that don’t always get heard, and doing it in a way that’s both professional and deeply personal. My art is my way of giving back: showing others what’s possible when you bet on yourself, lean on your community, and follow your passion with intention.

If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?
If my best friend was visiting Atlanta for a week, I’d make sure we ate, explored, and soaked in as much of the city (and beyond) as possible. Honestly, we’d eat everywhere because good food is such a big part of the experience. I’d take them a little OTP to Buford or Duluth for the best Korean food, pupusas, and tacos. In the city, we’d grab rotisserie at Pollo Primo, Middle Eastern at Del Bar, and coffee at Drip.

We’d definitely get outside. We’d bike to Piedmont Park for a picnic, catch a sunset at the Old Fourth Ward skate park, and paddleboard at Sweetwater Creek State Park with snacks, music, and camera in tow. To balance out all the eating, we’d join the Los Corridos run crew for a 2–4 mile run on the Beltline, then refuel at a spot like Babs Midtown or Communidad Taqueria for brunch.

Of course, we’d make time for the city’s creative energy, like thrifting and boutique shopping in Little Five Points. At night, we’d bar hop depending on the vibe: Midtown for something chill, or EAV for a more eclectic scene. Or El Malo for a latin dance night.

And since film and art are such a big part of my life, we’d catch local screenings at the Tara or Plaza Theater, and maybe an intimate open mic like Urban Grind or Corazón a Corazón. The kind of spaces where you connect with amazing people and community.

Food, art, nature, nightlife, and community. That’s what I love most about Atlanta: you can have a picnic in the park, paddleboard on a lake, catch a film festival screening, and dance the night away, all in the same week.

Who else deserves some credit and recognition?
This is a really tough question because I feel like so many people and communities deserve recognition. I don’t think my journey has been about just one person handing me everything. It’s been about the collective love and encouragement I’ve felt along the way.

First and foremost, my mom. She passed away at the end of 2023 from pancreatic cancer, and she was truly my rock. She was my confidence, my cheerleader, my constant source of unconditional love. Even when I told her I was pursuing a creative path (something that can feel risky and uncertain) she never discouraged me. She believed in me, supported my move from New York, and always wanted me to find my own way. Not having her here has been so hard, but when I think of support, mentorship, and encouragement, my mom embodied all of that.

I also want to recognize the people who are here with me now, pouring into me with their energy and encouragement. My best friend Lisa, for example, who’s a writer-director, we worked together on a short film last year that’s now going to be in the Atlanta Women’s Film Festival. Beyond the projects, we’re just friends who do movie nights, go dancing, travel, and share life together. That balance of passion for film and genuine friendship is priceless.

And then there are broader communities like Latinas in Media, where I’ve found other women who are actors, directors, producers, camera operators, all uplifting one another. We meet up, we collaborate, but we also celebrate and just enjoy each other. Having that type of network reminds me I’m not alone in this and Im part of something bigger, something vibrant.

So while I can’t point to one single person who ‘made me,’ I can say I’m deeply grateful for the collective – my mom’s legacy, my closest friends, my peers, and the communities that keep me going. They all deserve credit for being part of my story.

Website: https://itzelfernandez.online

Instagram: https://instagram.com/filmwithizzy

Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/itzelfernandez/

Image Credits
BTS photos by Raine Mendez, Gregory Pratt, and Esteban Viteli