Today we’d like to introduce you to Valheria Sanchez.
Hi Valheria, so excited to have you on the platform. So before we get into questions about your work-life, maybe you can bring our readers up to speed on your story and how you got to where you are today?
I was born and raised in Venezuela and moved to the United States in 2015. My initial studies in filmmaking began in Venezuela, and after relocating, I pursued further education at the University of Central Florida. I graduated in 2022 with a degree in Media Production and a minor in Cultural Anthropology.
In 2023, after years of working as a freelancer in the commercial and filmmaking industry, I founded Hazelnut Production Agency. Shortly thereafter, I partnered with Mariana Alarza, who is also from Venezuela, and she now heads our graphic design and branding efforts.
Hazelnut is a unique creative collective that proudly partners with local freelancers, emphasizing originality, brand image, and storytelling. We operate as a consultancy, providing expert guidance for all your videography, storytelling, photography, and branding needs. Hazelnut focuses on audiovisual branding and video production, offering a comprehensive range of services including photography, videography, content creation, graphic design, and branding.
Can you talk to us a bit about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned along the way. Looking back would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?
It has certainly been a challenging journey. Immigrating to a new country, learning a new language, funding my own studies, and finding my place in the industry was a long and demanding process. The vision for my career has always been within me, but it was through this journey that I realized growth through freelancing would ultimately prepare me to found Hazelnut Production Agency.
Appreciate you sharing that. What else should we know about what you do?
My creative journey began with photography. As a child, I was exposed to music and dance, but those interests didn’t stick through adolescence. Everything changed when my sister got a professional camera. I started borrowing it and experimenting, and I quickly discovered that photography allowed me to connect with the present moment and appreciate the beauty around me. I loved capturing people, landscapes, and urban scenes, but I initially thought a career in photography would be too difficult, so I didn’t pursue it as a degree.
During my filmmaking studies, I took a documentary black-and-white photography class that reignited my passion for the art. From that experience, I continued taking photos, and eventually, it became a way for me to earn extra money while I was in school. Photography was the gateway to the audiovisual path I was searching for.
As I delved into Media Production, I was introduced to live production and television production, opening my eyes to new possibilities in art and entertainment. The need inside me to tell stories marked a clear path and eventually brought me back to the desire to become a documentary filmmaker, leading me to pursue a degree in Cultural Anthropology.
I consider myself a multiphase artist; art is my own form of therapy, and I deeply enjoy creating. My work spans collage art, conceptual photography, and video art—mediums through which I have found my voice in the arts. My skills in photography naturally led me to explore lighting, set design, and art direction in video production, and eventually, product videography and general videography. This diverse skill set laid the foundation for my work today.
Do you have any advice for those just starting out?
To anyone starting out, I would say that what truly makes you an artist is the journey itself. Immerse yourself in the process and learn as much as you can from others and from yourself. Be curious and listen to your emotions. Remember, things are often not as they seem, so patience is key when your dreams are big.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.hazelnutproduction.com https://valheluccy.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/hazelnut.production?igsh=MWY4dHI2NXRnMWNsag%3D%3D&utm_source=qr
- Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/valheria-sanchez-83222b202/
- Other: https://www.instagram.com/valhelccsp?igsh=dzh5cWswcWRsYnA0&utm_source=qr
Image Credits
Valheria Sanchez Aponte Studios Ely Ja Milea Verock
