Originally from Guatemala,  Alejandro “Tico” Mendoza is an Austin-based photographer and videographer.

Growing up in Guatemala, Tico developed an interest in photography at a very early age—with the support and encouragement of his mother who was an avid and passionate photographer herself. Taking pictures was just what they did in that household. And for Tico, it never stopped, especially during his teenage years when he would take photos on his many outdoor adventures.

Still in Guatemala as a young adult, Tico founded a graphic design studio, providing branding and marketing solutions to a variety of clients. A significant part of the studio’s projects required extensive photographic work, and so Tico found himself shooting everything from products to special events. It wasn’t really on-the-job training though; for Tico it was just an extension of what he had been doing in his youth.

In 2013, sponsored by a company based in Austin, Tico moved and started working as a full-time graphic designer. But as a side job, he kept making photographs, capturing the local music scene as well as sporting, cultural, and social events.

Although Tico spent the first two decades of his professional career as a graphic designer, photography was always an integral part of his practice. And so in 2018, Tico decided it was time to pursue his true passion and made the switch—becoming a full-time photographer and videographer.