We recently connected with Domenica Bernetti and have shared our conversation below.
Hi Domenica, so happy to have you with us today and there is so much we want to ask you about. So many of us go through similar pain points throughout our journeys and so hearing about how others developed certain skills or qualities that we are struggling with can be helpful. Along those lines, we’d love to hear from you about how you developed your ability to take risk?
I believe my ability to take risks comes, in large part, from learning to believe in myself. When I was 18, I made the decision to pursue an artistic career instead of following a more traditional path, even though I had strong academic performance and plenty of safer options. That was the first big risk I ever took, and even though it was scary, I knew I had to stay true to what truly moved me.
I also think it’s been part of my personality since I was a kid. I was often seen as brave, even in small ways, like how much I loved extreme sports. I practiced downhill longboarding throughout most of my teenage years and into adulthood. It’s a risky sport that forces you to focus completely and trust your abilities. Over time, I learned to apply that same mindset to my creative and professional life.
Moving to the U.S. with no safety net has definitely been the biggest risk I’ve taken. I left a career in Chile that was starting to take off with a bright future to come here and start from scratch. It’s been a tough path, full of doubts and emotional challenges. But I also feel that after going through something so big, everything else feels smaller and more manageable. Sometimes you want to stay safe for a while, but at the end of the day, as they say, no risk, no reward. Betting everything on yourself, because you know you have something to offer, is one of the choices I’m proudest of.
Great, so let’s take a few minutes and cover your story. What should folks know about you and what you do?
I’m a multidisciplinary artist focused on photography and makeup. The combination of these two creative paths began during my time studying visual arts, sparked by my fascination with fashion and the concept of the mask as a symbol of identity. Masks have always intrigued me—how they can hide, reveal new personalities, or give us the courage to do things we might not otherwise dare. For me, makeup works in a similar way. It’s not just about appearance; it’s a tool for expression and transformation.
When I began working as a creative makeup artist—beyond events and into spaces like music videos, theater, ballet, and fashion—I found a whole new level of artistic freedom. At the same time, my curiosity for image-making led me to photography. It started as a form of self-portraiture, but naturally evolved into capturing others. Although both practices remain deeply connected, they’ve each taken on their own identity in my creative journey.
At the core of my work is a love for creativity, uniqueness, and diversity. One of my favorite things about what I do is the chance to connect with other creatives, to share visions, learn how others see the world, and collaborate in bringing abstract ideas to life through images.
Last year, after going through an emotional low that left me feeling creatively stuck, I began practicing yoga consistently. That practice helped me reconnect with myself and opened up a new world, not just internally, but also socially. I met incredible people, many of whom are women working in wellness. That inspired me to start shifting my work toward collaborating with entrepreneurs and women in these spaces and making a connection with the beauty and fashion world i’ve already explore. Exploring the intersection between those worlds has been both exciting and empowering, especially when working with powerful women whose stories deserve to be seen.
Right now, I’m focused on continuing to grow in New York, creating projects that spark creative essence and collaboration. As a multidisciplinary artist, I also have a painting series in mind, something that captures emotions and stories I can’t quite express through photography. It’s still just a sketch in my mind, but it’s part of the broader journey I’m excited to keep exploring.
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?
Looking back, I think three things have made the biggest impact in my journey: curiosity, resilience, and the ability to build meaningful connections.
Curiosity has always guided me. It’s what led me to explore different artistic paths, from painting to makeup to photography, and to combine them in ways that feel authentic. My advice to anyone starting out is to stay open and playful. Try new things, even if they don’t seem immediately “useful.” Some of my most valuable skills came from side projects or random experiments that later became central to my work.
Resilience is something you don’t fully understand until you need it. The creative path isn’t linear, and self-doubt, rejection, or financial instability are very real challenges. What helped me was developing practices that grounded me during difficult times, especially movement, like yoga, and reconnecting with nature. Building a strong inner foundation is just as essential as any technical or professional skill.
Connection is probably the most powerful and at the same time the most challenging for me. Reaching out, networking, or simply sharing my work can sometimes feel overwhelming. I’ve often been afraid of rejection or of not being “enough” in certain spaces. It’s still something I’m working on. But I’ve learned that connection doesn’t have to be perfect, it just has to be genuine. When we open up, even just a little, it creates space for others to do the same. And that’s where the most meaningful collaborations begin.
My biggest advice is to trust the value of your voice and your perspective, even if it feels unfinished. You don’t have to be perfect to begin building something.
Who is your ideal client or what sort of characteristics would make someone an ideal client for you?
My ideal client is someone who values creativity, and authenticity. I’m especially drawn to people who have a strong creative vision and who are brave, brave enough to express themselves fully, try new things, and step outside of their comfort zone.
Whether their aesthetic leans bold and editorial or soft and natural, what matters most is that they’re open-minded and excited to experiment. I love working with individuals who are passionate about what they do—whether they’re building a brand, launching a project, or simply expressing themselves—and who trust the creative process.
Throughout my career, I’ve had the chance to work with a diverse range of clients: from wellness coaches developing their personal image, to models and dancers, musicians, yoga instructors, and major beauty brands. What they’ve all had in common is a willingness to trust, not only in me, but more importantly, in themselves and in the vision behind their projects. That mutual trust is what allows us to create work that truly resonates.
The best collaborations happen when there’s mutual respect, shared curiosity, and a desire to create something meaningful together.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.domebernetti.com/
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/domesays/
- Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/dom%C3%A9nica-bernetti-544bab142/
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@domesays
Image Credits
All photos by Domenica Bernetti
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