I’m a Mexican-Cambodian-American multimedia producer creating for initiatives I believe in.

I started out as a daily news photographer in New York in 2017. The fast-paced and unpredictable environment of news forced me to develop an efficient and decisive workflow. I enjoyed the sink or swim nature of the work, and continued working as a photojournalist in Las Vegas, but around 2019, the ethics of journalism, which demanded a level of neutrality, began to feel too restrictive for a determined world changer like me. I wondered how I might apply my multimedia skillset in a more meaningful way.

I moved to Humboldt County, the ancient redwoods of California, to explore this new intention for Social Good. The community was much smaller than anywhere I’d been before—richer too in its natural environment and indigenous history. I found that my work had a direct impact on local businesses and non-profits, especially when it came to securing funding for programs. Basically, I captured the awesome work these orgs were already doing and featured it in grant applications. Visuals, testimonials and social media that showcase the value a program brings to a community goes a long way in building trust.

Today, I am in Las Vegas processing my late father’s estate and continuing to work with organizations I believe in. I intend to return to Humboldt in the summer to work on more multimedia projects. At the same time, I am taking dog training courses, apprenticing for mediation, hablando español, competing in pickleball, and enjoying every step of the way. Phew! Busy, busy. But always open to receiving a new pitch for a project with good intentions. So send me an email!

Marcus Villagran