Meet Diana Hernandez

 

We were lucky to catch up with Diana Hernandez recently and have shared our conversation below.

Hi Diana, we’re so appreciative of you taking the time to share your nuggets of wisdom with our community. One of the topics we think is most important for folks looking to level up their lives is building up their self-confidence and self-esteem. Can you share how you developed your confidence?

I think that over the years in the wedding photography industry, my self-esteem and confidence have transformed with every event I cover. I believe practicing, taking risks, and getting closer to your community are huge parts of it. The more weddings I covered, the more confident I became. Being confident while keeping it humble is the most important part for me.

Thirteen years later, I still get nervous before the first click, and I still get nervous when I deliver the photos. But even though I navigate those feelings, I still do it because I’m confident that I’m good enough to do a great job.

For me, weddings have a particular significance. It’s not just about taking photos and leaving the event. It’s about making the couple feel comfortable, letting them know that I’m there to share their story with their loved ones, helping them feel confident in front of the camera, and building a connection with them.

Appreciate the insights and wisdom. Before we dig deeper and ask you about the skills that matter and more, maybe you can tell our readers about yourself?

Well, my name is Diana Hernandez, and I’m a Colombian photographer based in Panama. I specialize in wedding and portrait photography. What excites me the most, and what I love most about what I do, is meeting people and sharing their stories. I also really enjoy post-production, I’ll say that’s my meditative moment.

I’ve been in photography for over 13 years, specifically in weddings, and around 10 years in portraiture. My approach is mainly lifestyle or documentary-style photography—capturing weddings as they truly are. I’m there to tell a story through images, and what I always tell my clients is that my main goal is for them to look at the photos and recognize themselves in every image..

I’ve been living in Panama for a year now, so I primarily work between Colombia and Panama. However, I’m available to travel anywhere for any love story.

If you had to pick three qualities that are most important to develop, which three would you say matter most?

First of all, I’m a huge believer that you need to have a connection with your clients. I treat my clients the same way I would like to be treated, to create real and emotional moments. To do that, you have to be connected with them, ask them about their expectations for the photos and take the time to explain what you can deliver.
My advice would be to focus on creating genuine connections, being more empathetic, and staying humble. Constant communication is key.

Second, I think weddings helped me develop the ability to adapt quickly. Weddings move fast, and you need to solve problems on the spot. I try to apply this same mindset to every session I have.
For me, especially, less is more. Sometimes the conditions are not ideal, but you have to learn how to solve these challenges and make the best of the situation.
So, if you expose yourself to different scenarios and practice a lot, you’ll be able to adapt better to any unexpected situation.

And third, be patient and persistent. Be patient with yourself, with your clients, and with your colleagues. Be persistent when things don’t go the way you expected and try again. Be kind to yourself and your work.
Don’t compare your journey to others, and don’t rush. Practice so that you can find your own style.

Alright so to wrap up, who deserves credit for helping you overcome challenges or build some of the essential skills you’ve needed?

I don’t think there’s just one person who has helped me overcome challenges. There have been different people who have supported me through different stages of my journey. I believe my siblings have been some of my main mentors when it comes to creating a business. They’ve shared invaluable advice on everything from managing clients to running a business, and have always encouraged me to stay true to myself.

My fellow photographers have also been a huge support. They’re always ready to lend a hand when needed, and we support each other through challenges. We share experiences, tips, and tricks to help each other improve every day.

Every couple I’ve worked with has been crucial to my growth. They’ve taught me confidence, patience, and continually pushed me to be better and deliver the best of myself at every wedding.

And, at this moment, my husband has been my number one fan through the entire process of adapting to a new country. He’s pushed me to take risks and keep growing.

Contact Info:

Image Credits

Diana Hernandez Fotografia

Suggest a Story: BoldJourney is built on recommendations from the community; it’s how we uncover hidden gems,
so if you or someone you know deserves recognition please let us know here.
Highlighter Series
Are you doing what you were born to do—or what you were told to do?

Culture, economic circumstances, family traditions, local customs and more can often influence us more than

Highlighter Series
What are you most proud of building — that nobody sees?

We think this is an essential question because so often there is a disconnect between

Highlighter Series
Is the public version of you the real you?

We all think we’re being real—whether in public or in private—but the deeper challenge is