Hi, I’m Mariana Mendoza, a communications and photography professional with experience across photojournalism, postproduction, and content strategy. I’ve led recruitment initiatives onboarding 100+ photographers in six months, managed photography operations across major venues, and developed retention programs that reduced attrition. I thrive on storytelling through visuals and collaborative projects that deliver high-quality content for media, events, and digital platforms. I’m fluent in Spanish and English, with additional Italian and Dutch, and I enjoy mentoring teams, building onboarding and training programs, and coordinating cross-disciplinary projects. My approach blends creative vision with practical workflows to ensure timely, compelling media that resonates with audiences.

Mariana Mendoza

Hi, I’m Mariana Mendoza, a communications and photography professional with experience across photojournalism, postproduction, and content strategy. I’ve led recruitment initiatives onboarding 100+ photographers in six months, managed photography operations across major venues, and developed retention programs that reduced attrition. I thrive on storytelling through visuals and collaborative projects that deliver high-quality content for media, events, and digital platforms. I’m fluent in Spanish and English, with additional Italian and Dutch, and I enjoy mentoring teams, building onboarding and training programs, and coordinating cross-disciplinary projects. My approach blends creative vision with practical workflows to ensure timely, compelling media that resonates with audiences.

Available to hire

Hi, I’m Mariana Mendoza, a communications and photography professional with experience across photojournalism, postproduction, and content strategy. I’ve led recruitment initiatives onboarding 100+ photographers in six months, managed photography operations across major venues, and developed retention programs that reduced attrition. I thrive on storytelling through visuals and collaborative projects that deliver high-quality content for media, events, and digital platforms.

I’m fluent in Spanish and English, with additional Italian and Dutch, and I enjoy mentoring teams, building onboarding and training programs, and coordinating cross-disciplinary projects. My approach blends creative vision with practical workflows to ensure timely, compelling media that resonates with audiences.

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Language

Spanish; Castilian
Fluent
English
Fluent
Italian
Fluent
Dutch
Fluent
Swedish
Beginner

Work Experience

Venue Manager at SmileRi
December 31, 2023 - December 31, 2023
Led and coordinated photographers at high-profile venues (e.g., Artis, Heineken Experience, Beatrix Theater, Circus Theater). Managed operations, team leadership, and customer experience optimization across strategic partnerships.
Photographer at Lucca Comics & Games
December 31, 2021 - December 31, 2021
Sole responsible for meticulously selecting, retouching, and disseminating the Lucca Comics & Games 2021 photographic content to various media outlets, ensuring visual integrity and brand consistency.
Journalist at El Teatro
December 31, 2018 - December 31, 2018
Dedicated to coverage of cultural spectacles and events, wrote articles, conducted interviews, crafted critiques, and authored reviews for an internationally read news site. Additionally, excelled in capturing compelling stage photography and content.
Photo Journalist at Crónica Uno
December 31, 2017 - December 31, 2017
Observed at the intersection of journalism and photography, capturing visuals for articles, chronicles and reports. Excelled in photo curation and retouching within tight timelines, conducted interviews, edited content, and managed the newspaper’s Instagram presence.
Engagement & Retention Specialist at MILER
January 1, 2023 - January 1, 2023
Led a recruitment initiative onboarding 100+ photographers in six months. Boosted contributor activity by 40% through engagement programs. Reduced photographer attrition by 25% with targeted retention strategies.
Venue Manager at Artis; Heineken Experience; Beatrix Theater
January 1, 2022 - January 1, 2023
Managed photography operations across major venues, directed teams, improved workflows, and standardized customer experience processes. Ensured consistent delivery of high-quality visual content.
Team Lead Photographer at Venue (Artis, Heineken, Beatrix Theater)
January 1, 2022 - January 1, 2022
Executed and supervised +3200 photoshoots for walk-in visitors and booked clients. Developed fast-track training programs that increased venue revenue and sales conversion. Oversaw quality control, scheduling, and team collaboration.
Photography & Postproduction Associate at LUCCA CREA: Lucca Comics & Games
January 1, 2021 - January 1, 2021
Managed editing of 1000+ images daily for media distribution. Implemented new retouching protocols improving press content performance. Organized a central cataloging system for efficient retrieval and publishing.
Freelance - Communications, PR & Content at Freelance
January 1, 2019 - January 1, 2022
Executed PR strategies and multilingual content (written, visual, and audiovisual) for clients across sectors. Coordinated community engagement and client communication channels.
Photojournalist at CRÓNICA.UNO
January 1, 2016 - January 1, 2017
Delivered 700+ edited photographs for articles under strict deadlines. Reported on sociopolitical events in Caracas, including crisis coverage. Managed and curated the outlet’s Instagram presence.
Journalist at EL-TEA TRO
January 1, 2016 - January 1, 2018
Covered cultural events through interviews, reviews, and critiques. Achieved strong visibility and engagement within the artistic community.
Research Journalist at NO GAGS
January 1, 2016 - January 1, 2016
Collected, verified, and categorized data on human rights violations in Venezuela. Contributed to an informational platform during mass censorship.

Education

Bachelor's Degree in Communications, specialized in Journalism at Andrés Bello Catholic University
January 1, 2012 - December 31, 2017
Bachelor's Degree in Social Communication + 2 years of Journalism specialization at Universidad Católica Andrés Bello (Caracas, Venezuela)
January 1, 2012 - January 1, 2017
Documentary Photography at Parnassos Cultuur Centrum, Universiteit Utrecht
January 1, 2018 - January 1, 2018
Documentary 1, 2 and 3 at Roberto Mata School of Photography (Caracas, Venezuela)
January 1, 2016 - January 1, 2017
Grotowski Chair: Scenic & Dramatic Theory at Roberto Mata School of Photography (Caracas, Venezuela)
January 1, 2016 - January 1, 2017
Universidad Nacional Experimental de las Artes at Universidad Nacional Experimental de las Artes (Caracas, Venezuela)
January 1, 2016 - January 1, 2017
Workshop Facilitator at Medatia Foundation
January 1, 2014 - January 1, 2016
Möja Dansbana participation at Möja Dansbana
January 1, 2025 - December 1, 2025

Qualifications

Press Jury Member
January 1, 2021 - January 1, 2021
Distintas Latitudes Journalists Network Member
January 1, 2017 - January 1, 2017
Workshop Facilitator
January 1, 2014 - January 1, 2016
Honorable Mention - International Tale Writing Contest
January 1, 2022 - January 1, 2022
Honorable Mention - The Hidden Face Photo Exhibition
January 1, 2016 - January 1, 2016
Möja Dansbana participation
January 1, 2025 - December 1, 2025

Industry Experience

Media & Entertainment, Professional Services, Education