Interview: Andrea Bautista and Building a Creative Life Between Toronto and the Philippines

We're excited to introduce a new interview featuring Andrea Bautista, one of our own young creatives and businesswomen. In this conversation, Akari Nori sat down with Andrea to discuss her creative journey, her Filipina heritage, urban exploration, photography, and her experiences developing professionally at a young age.

For many young creatives, finding a direction can be a journey of trial and discovery. For Andrea Bautista, that journey has taken her from Toronto to the Philippines, from exploring abandoned spaces to documenting the world through photography, and from an unexpected meeting at a shopping mall to becoming part of the Lucent Designs Media International community.

Andrea's story is also one of balancing cultures and building something of her own. Growing up in a Filipina family that immigrated to Toronto, she has maintained a connection to her family's roots while developing her own creative identity in Canada.

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Akari Nori: Andrea, thank you for joining us! To start, could you tell our readers a little bit about yourself and where your creative journey began?

Andrea Bautista: Absolutely! I think my creative journey really started with curiosity. I've always been someone who wanted to explore places, learn about their stories, and capture things that other people might overlook. I grew up in Toronto in a Filipina family, so I was exposed to different cultures and perspectives from a young age. Over time, photography became one of the ways I could document the places I visited and the experiences I was having. I wouldn't necessarily say there was one specific moment when I decided, "This is what I want to do." It developed naturally as I kept exploring and finding things that interested me.

Akari: Your background is an important part of your story. What was it like growing up in a family that immigrated from the Philippines to Toronto?

Andrea: It gave me a connection to two different places. Toronto is where I grew up, where I developed many of my interests and where I've built a lot of my life. But the Philippines has always been an important part of my family's identity. As I got older, I became more interested in understanding where my family came from and what that part of my identity meant to me personally. That's one reason my trips back to the Philippines have become so meaningful. I'm not just visiting as a tourist. I'm able to explore different areas, photograph them, meet people, and see more of the country through my own perspective.

Akari: How did you first become interested in urban exploration and abandoned buildings?

Andrea: I think it came from wanting to understand the stories behind places.

When you see an abandoned building, there's usually a history attached to it. Maybe it was once someone's workplace, someone's home, or a place where hundreds of people passed through every day. There's something interesting about photographing those environments because you're capturing a moment in the life of a place that might otherwise be forgotten. Of course, exploring abandoned locations also requires being responsible and respecting boundaries. For me, photography is ultimately about documenting the atmosphere and history rather than simply entering a place because it's abandoned.

Akari: Do you think urban exploration has influenced the way you approach photography?

Andrea: Definitely. It taught me to pay attention to details. When you're photographing an old building, you start noticing things like textures, light coming through broken windows, old signs, architecture, or objects that were left behind. Those details can tell a story without needing a person in the photograph. I think that mindset has carried over into my other photography as well. I try to look beyond the obvious subject and think about what makes a particular place or moment interesting.

Akari: You joined Lucent Designs Media International when you were only 17. How did that happen?

Andrea: It was honestly a pretty unexpected situation! I met Daniel by chance at our local mall. I was carrying around my camera that day, and saw him with his own, and so I approached him and that conversation eventually led to me being hired at Lucent Designs Media International when I was 17. At that age, getting an opportunity like that was exciting, but it was also a learning experience. I was still figuring out what I wanted to do creatively, so being introduced to a professional environment gave me an opportunity to learn by actually doing things. Looking back, I'm glad I took that opportunity because it introduced me to people and experiences that helped me develop both creatively and professionally.

Akari: What was it like entering a professional creative environment at such a young age?

Andrea: There was definitely a lot to learn. Being creative and actually working in a creative organization aren't always the same thing. You have to learn how to communicate with people, meet expectations, manage projects, and understand that other people are depending on you. At the same time, I think being young gave me a willingness to experiment and learn. I didn't have everything figured out, and I still don't, but I think that's okay. You learn by taking on responsibilities and seeing what works and what doesn't.

Akari: You're now developing your own branch of Lucent Designs Media International in Toronto. What does that mean to you?

Andrea: It's something I'm really proud of. Toronto is where I've grown up, so being able to build something creative here gives me a way to contribute to the community that I'm part of. I also like the idea that LDMI can connect creatives from different places. Toronto has its own creative environment, while the Philippines has another, and there are so many other communities around the world. Having the opportunity to represent Toronto while also maintaining that connection to the Philippines makes the work feel very personal.

Akari: You return to the Philippines each year and photograph different parts of the country. What does photography there mean to you?

Andrea: It gives me an opportunity to reconnect with my roots. Every time I return, I try to explore somewhere new. Photography gives me a reason to slow down and really observe what's around me. I'm interested in photographing cities, communities, landscapes, architecture, and everyday life. I don't want to portray the Philippines as just one thing because it's such a diverse country. There's always something new to discover.

Akari: Do you approach photographing the Philippines differently because of your family connection to the country?

Andrea: I think so. When you have a personal connection to somewhere, you're naturally going to look at it differently. I'm interested in how places feel, but I'm also interested in what they mean to me and my family. Sometimes I'm photographing something because it reminds me of a story I heard growing up. Other times, I'm discovering something completely new. I think that's what makes photography so interesting. Two people can stand in the same place and walk away with completely different photographs because they see it through different experiences.

Akari: You've had the experience of developing professionally while you're still relatively young. What have you learned about being a young businesswoman?

Andrea: I've learned that you don't have to know everything immediately. When you're young, I think there's sometimes pressure to prove that you belong in a professional environment. But nobody starts out knowing everything. I'm still learning how to manage projects, communicate professionally, develop creative ideas, and make decisions. I've also learned that being willing to ask questions is important. You can learn a lot from the people around you if you're willing to listen. And I think it's important to remember that being young doesn't mean you can't take your work seriously. You can still have goals and ambitions while recognizing that you're going to continue learning along the way.

Akari: What has been one of the biggest lessons you've taken from your creative career so far?

Andrea: Probably that consistency matters. You can have one great idea or one great photograph, but building something over time requires continuing to show up. There are going to be projects that don't work the way you expected. There are going to be times when you're not sure what direction you're going in. You just have to keep creating and keep learning.

Akari: What advice would you give to another young person who wants to pursue photography, business, or another creative career?

Andrea: Start with what you have. You don't need the most expensive camera or a perfect studio to begin creating. Use what you have, learn how to use it well, and gradually build from there. Also, don't be afraid to explore different interests. You might start with photography and discover that you enjoy business, writing, video, design, or something completely different. Your creative path doesn't have to be perfectly planned. And most importantly, take opportunities seriously when they come your way, but make sure they're opportunities that allow you to learn and grow.

Akari: Finally, what do you hope to accomplish next?

Andrea: I want to continue developing the Toronto branch and expanding the photography work I'm doing. I'd also like to keep traveling throughout the Philippines and documenting more of the country. There's still so much I haven't seen. Beyond that, I want to continue learning about the business side of the creative industry and find new ways to connect artists and photographers with opportunities. I don't have everything planned out, but I'm excited to see where the next few years take me.

Interview conducted by Akari Nori for Lucent Designs Media International.