Meet Elizabeth Beristain

Alright – so today we’ve got the honor of introducing you to Elizabeth Beristain. We think you’ll enjoy our conversation, we’ve shared it below.

Elizabeth, thanks so much for taking the time to share your insights and lessons with us today. We’re particularly interested in hearing about how you became such a resilient person. Where do you get your resilience from?

I believe my resilience comes from my life journey. I was born in Mexico City and moved to Los Angeles over 20 years ago, which required me to adapt quickly—not only to a new culture, but also to a new language and way of life. That experience taught me that change is constant, and adaptability is essential. Growing up without smartphones, my generation learned to navigate the world in a very different way—reading maps, finding connection face-to-face, and learning patience through lack of instant gratification. On top of that, financial limitations growing up taught me to be resourceful and grounded. All of these experiences shaped my ability to stay calm, adjust, and keep moving forward no matter what comes my way.

Thanks, so before we move on maybe you can share a bit more about yourself?

I’m a Taurus, and my brother never lets me forget it—he teases me about my love for beauty, aesthetics, and a bit of a hedonistic life. But there’s some truth to it. I’m drawn to things that are visually and emotionally rich, and I’ve always embraced a slow and steady pace in life. I can be incredibly stubborn, which has actually fueled my persistence in pursuing a freelance creative path. I genuinely love what I do, and I keep going, regardless of how winding the road gets.

Most recently, I had the honor of seeing our short film Lisboa Nueva complete its festival run. It received four official selections and won two awards—at the Stockholm Independent Film Festival and the Portugal Indie Film Festival. The film was a deeply personal project, shot in 16mm, made in collaboration with Valentina Pelayo and Lourdes Hernández (also known as Russian Red). It tells the story of a journey I took with my teenage children to Lisbon, where we spread my Portuguese father’s ashes and confronted parts of our complicated family past.

While I’m primarily a portrait photographer, I’ve also explored the art world through the creation of “Artist’s Book”—an intimate, tactile format I’ve fallen in love with. Just a few weeks ago, I took a new leap by directing my first music video for the acclaimed flamenco singer Alfredo Tejada. The video was shot in the stunning landscape of Joshua Tree, with cinematography by Kristel Elizabeth Gomez, editing by Ambar Salinas, and featuring the incredible flamenco dancer Cristina Moguel. The video is set to be released in September 2025, and I’m incredibly proud of how it’s coming together.

Every project I take on is driven by emotion, connection, and a love for storytelling—whether it’s through a photograph, a film, or a book.

There is so much advice out there about all the different skills and qualities folks need to develop in order to succeed in today’s highly competitive environment and often it can feel overwhelming. So, if we had to break it down to just the three that matter most, which three skills or qualities would you focus on?

Looking back, the three qualities that have shaped my path the most are patience, an open attitude toward learning from mistakes, and the importance of surrounding myself with talented people I admire—people whose values and vision align with my own. Collaboration has been essential, and I’ve learned to never take it for granted. Expressing gratitude to those who support and inspire you is just as important as the work itself.

My Advice? Go for it. Don’t be afraid to try. Even if things don’t go as planned, the worst outcome is usually that you grow and learn from the experience—and that’s always a win.

One of our goals is to help like-minded folks with similar goals connect and so before we go we want to ask if you are looking to partner or collab with others – and if so, what would make the ideal collaborator or partner?

I’m always open to creative collaborations—in any form. Whether it’s teaming up with other artists, organizing a group show in a great gallery space, or being hired for unique, expressive portrait work, I love connecting with people who share a passion for storytelling and visual art.

Right now, I’m especially looking for producers or investors interested in supporting my next short film, which will be set in Los Angeles. With many cultural grants being cut under the current administration, independent artists like myself are increasingly reliant on private support to bring meaningful projects to life. So… where’s my Midas? [laughs]

I believe in the power of creative community, and I’m always excited to build new relationships—whether it’s with fellow artists, collaborators, or supporters who believe in the kind of work I do.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.elizabethberistain.com
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/elizabethberistain/
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/elizabethberistainstudio