Alright – so today we’ve got the honor of introducing you to Elisa Valdes. We think you’ll enjoy our conversation, we’ve shared it below.
Elisa , we’re thrilled to have you on our platform and we think there is so much folks can learn from you and your story. Something that matters deeply to us is living a life and leading a career filled with purpose and so let’s start by chatting about how you found your purpose.
It was a journey of different paths, that lead me to my purpose of guiding women and helping them tap into their femininity through photography.. For many years I worked in healthcare. As a case manager, coordinating resources for patients and ensuring they got the proper care they needed. I was aspiring to be a nurse, working to go back into school for a double major in nursing.
I had always done photography from childhood through my young adult years. It started off with fashion and editorial photography. Then I completely fell in love with fine art nude photography. Capturing the human form in it’s rawest and most organic casting. It was just a hobby for me, that brought me immense happiness. Didn’t consider it a career, until I didn’t get into the nursing program I had wanted. I was completely devastated, as I felt like I could no longer be a “healer”.
It was a pivotal moment for me to realize I had a gift helping women see their light and beauty with the power of boudoir. That this was the path I was meant to be on. I had finally found the purpose for my soul.
Thanks, so before we move on maybe you can share a bit more about yourself?
My passion for finding beauty in women has led me to serve my community through this spiritual divine art, photography. I specialize in posing feminine photography & holding space for boudoir. I provide image therapy by celebrating our feminine divinity. I want to see rawness!
I see myself as a woman and body activist. I teach women how to embrace their bodies. By channeling into their inner goddess, I encourage women to be radical and to love their bodies by causing self and identity awareness. Boudoir really has become apart of the self-love culture. The movement is truly on a rise as a form of expression for feminine energy, sexual energy, sensual energy. WOMANHOOD! It has given women the chance and has become an opportunity to embrace their personal freedom.
For my brand the symbolism of the “US” in “GoddUS” stands as a collective whole, and as a form of unity. It has been my personal mission to have a tribe of women rising together.
Looking back, what do you think were the three qualities, skills, or areas of knowledge that were most impactful in your journey? What advice do you have for folks who are early in their journey in terms of how they can best develop or improve on these?
I am grateful for all the experiences and lessons that have come my way. As it has shaped me into the being I am today. The biggest experience and skill I learned while working in healthcare. Even though it did not end up being my path. It taught me the power of empathy. You witness all walks of life when you work in a hospital. You really become more humble and connected to faith, when you have witness so much sickness and welfare. It humbles you as a human and makes you appreciate and understand humanity in a new light.
With the power empathy comes the quality of compassion. Being able to create and hold space for humans to be who they are. Regardless of what metamorphic phase they are in. Now as a photographer I witness women at all different stages of their life.
Lastly, the biggest and most impactful lesson of them all. Is to be fearless. For so long I questioned my career, felt embarrassed and ashamed for not making it in the “professional” field. That I learned if you are fearless and allow your self to try something new. When you take the jump and allow yourself the availability, you allow time and space for new opportunities to arise.
How can folks who want to work with you connect?
My goal for myself was to work with more lingerie companies or boutiques. Boudoir’s best friend is lingerie. It’s amazing what a good quality piece of luxurious lingerie can change a woman’s perspective of self.
I love fashion. Even though we are not human coat hangers and are not represented by the brand. We represent ourselves. Although, lingerie brings diversity ,confidence, empowerment, sensuality, femininity. Things that all women deserve to feel and encounter.
One day I hope have my own line of lingerie. To be able to create, design and produce my own would be a dream come true.
Contact Info:
- Website: goddusrising.com
- Instagram: @goddusrising
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/goddusrising/
- Other: TikTok: @goddustribe
Image Credits
Main Headshot: Jenna Taddeo
