Meet Darlene Sanchez

We’re excited to introduce you to the always interesting and insightful Darlene Sanchez. We hope you’ll enjoy our conversation with Darlene below.

Darlene , 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 used to be an incredibly anxious person, always anticipating ‘the other shoe to drop.’ It wasn’t until I started telling myself, “Whatever curveball is thrown my way, I am capable of dealing with it,” that things began to change. Even if it shatters me, I remind myself that I have the strength to handle it — with tears and all.

I know it sounds simple, maybe even obvious, but that small shift in mindset completely rewired how I show up in the world. It brought me a sense of calm and confidence I had never felt before.

And you’d be surprised how much resilience is required in the photography industry. I’m not just talking about the cutthroat competition or the hustle to stay relevant, I mean the deeply personal kind, the kind that tests your heart.

Like booking a wedding six months in advance, and then, just four days before the big day, losing your dad. And still having to show up, camera in hand, game face on, for ten hours — because someone is counting on you to capture one of the most important days of their life. Or more recently, being diagnosed with breast cancer right in the middle of peak photography season. I had a dozen sessions already booked, and I was navigating consultations with specialists and surgeons while still showing up for my clients fully. I had to shut off all the background noise of my personal life more than I ever had in all the years of being a photographer.

The type of photography I do requires me to be fully present. I rely heavily on intuition — reading energy, sensing comfort, knowing when to wait and when to click the shutter. But during that time, my intuition felt shaken. I was holding so much privately, and it made being emotionally available for others more complex.

That’s the kind of quiet resilience this work demands, the ability to be present for others, even when I’m carrying something unseen.

Let’s take a small detour – maybe you can share a bit about yourself before we dive back into some of the other questions we had for you?

I’ve always been fascinated by how different we all are — the way families move around each other, the quiet rhythms of daily life, the way emotion shows up in small, unscripted ways. I think I can call myself an observer of someone’s existence.

Yes, I document moments and tell stories — but more than that, I create a kind of visual proof: that a life was lived, that it mattered, that it was seen. This is why documentary photography means so much to me. What I capture isn’t curated or posed, it’s real. It’s honest. It’s life, exactly as it unfolds. And that to me is where the art lies.

Being invited into people’s homes is an honor — their most personal spaces, witnessing the beauty of the everyday. It’s in those intimate, often overlooked moments that the most powerful images live! And every time I’m invited in, I carry that trust with deep gratitude — because telling someone’s real story is never something I take lightly.

Right now, I’m focused on deepening my work with in-home documentary sessions, especially for families who want something more meaningful than traditional portraits.

I’ve always been deeply intrigued by how different cultures and habits shape our experiences and interactions. This curiosity has only deepened my approach to documentary photography, as I strive to capture life in all its beautiful, authentic diversity.

More than anything, I want people to know this: your life as it is, not as it looks, is already worth remembering.

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

I had to think about this one for a minute—there are so many qualities I could share. I don’t gatekeep; I’m an open book. Photographers who’ve met me or know me will tell you that’s true.

First and foremost: people skills. Yes, being polite and friendly is a given, but what really matters is the ability to make people feel completely at ease. It’s about building trust, finding shared interests, and creating a space where people feel safe enough to let their true selves show. That’s when the real magic happens. My advice would be to practice being present. Be genuinely curious about people. The more connected you are, the more natural and meaningful your images will be.

Second, putting in the hours. I can’t stress this enough—photograph as much as possible. I brought my camera everywhere in the early days: family gatherings, walks, quiet afternoons at home. Observe interactions, reactions, how light falls on a face or moves across a room. That’s how you train your eye. Don’t wait for the ‘perfect’ shoot—every moment is an opportunity to practice and learn.

And lastly, marketing. Honestly, I’m still figuring this one out—it’s an ongoing journey. But I’ve learned that no matter how good your work is, people need to know it exists. Marketing is about connection, not just promotion. My advice here: don’t be afraid to show up. Share your work, your voice, and your ‘why.’ The right clients will connect with your authenticity.

Alright, so before we go we want to ask you to take a moment to reflect and share what you think you would do if you somehow knew you only had a decade of life left?

If I had ten years to live, I would wander and explore every corner of the earth if I could. I’d immerse myself in cultures, really live in them. I’d sit with people over home-cooked meals, listen to their stories, dance to their music, learn their rhythms and rituals. I wouldn’t rush through it. I’d stay long enough in each place to feel the heartbeat of it, to understand what makes it beautiful, and to let it change me.

I’d document it all, not just through my lens, but in my heart. The quiet moments, the chaos, the color, the humanity. I’d photograph people in their real lives, in their real spaces, just like I do now, but with a deeper urgency to capture what connects us across borders and languages.

And I’d make sure to spend time with the people I love—telling them how I feel, showing up fully, making memories that linger. If I had ten years left, I’d live wide open, wildly curious, and deeply grateful.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://darlenesanchezphotography.com
• Instagram: https://instagram.com/darlenesanchezphotography
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/darsanchezphotography

Image Credits

Darlene Sanchez

Portrait of Darlene Sanchez – Lola Sanchez