We’re excited to introduce you to the always interesting and insightful Yesenia Benavidez. We hope you’ll enjoy our conversation with Yesenia below.
Yesenia , so excited to have you with us today. So much we can chat about, but one of the questions we are most interested in is how you have managed to keep your creativity alive.
Photography has always been a way for me to channel my creativity, alongside painting and writing. When it comes to photography, I draw inspiration from other photographers whose work I admire, but I always adapt it to fit my own minimalist style. Staying true to myself is key.
In the studio, I love experimenting with different lighting setups, outfits, and props—anything that can elevate the shoot. For outdoor sessions , I find inspiration everywhere. Whether I’m driving around town or just out and about, I can spot a place that sparks an idea for a photoshoot. It doesn’t matter if the location is beautiful or not; it’s the potential I see that excites me.
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’m Yesenia Leal Felix, born and raised in Cananea, Sonora, Mexico. When I was fourteen, my parents made the decision to move to Arizona, seeking for better life opportunities. After high school, I wanted to go to college in the U.S., but since my parents couldn’t afford it, I moved back to Mexico—Puerto Peñasco, to be exact. I attended college there and graduated with a Bachelor’s Degree in Business, majoring in Tourism.
I’ve always considered myself a free spirit, and my plan after college was to work on a cruise ship and travel the world. But life had other plans. I met my husband, and we got married in 2013. That’s when I adopted his last name, Benavidez, which I love.
Throughout my life, I’ve worked in many fields—Travel Agent, Tourist Guide, Human Resources, Customer Service, Sales, Bookkeeping—but none of these careers helped me find my true purpose.
As far back as I can remember, I’ve always had a camera. In high school, I used to carry a disposable camera with me, eagerly waiting a week to see the developed photos. After graduation, I got my first digital camera—a bulky Sony that I still have today. As I got older, my interest in photography grew, but it wasn’t until I was 29 that I got my first professional camera. I didn’t know much about photography or how to use manual settings, but I knew I loved creating memories.
When I got married, I became friends with the photographer I hired. She invited me to one of her events, and that was the moment I realized photography was my true calling. She became my mentor, and I learned so much from her. Now, we share the same passion for this beautiful career.
Today, I’m a local Tucson photographer, but my dream is to become an international photographer, traveling the world to tell beautiful stories through images. My work is an expression of my passion for storytelling—I see beauty in everything. Do you feel the same?
As for my photography career, I’m still exploring where I want to specialize. I love doing maternity, women’s portraits, family sessions, couples, weddings, and of course, pets—I’m a dog mom. When photographing women, I adore capturing the beauty of their bodies, their sensuality, and their emotions. I want them to feel beautiful and sexy, no matter their body size. With couples, I cherish capturing the essence of their love, passion, and intimacy—those tender touches, whispers, kisses, and hugs. And pets? They deserve a million photos! They’re the most amazing beings on earth, with their wagging tails and expressive faces.
Being a photographer and capturing emotions, feelings, and timeless memories bring me immense joy and happiness. Anyone who knows me knows how much I love being behind the camera. It’s what I’m most passionate about, and I always lose track of time when I’m doing what I love.
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?
I truly believe that having a mentor to guide me through my journey made a world of difference. She was there with me every step of the way, offering support and wisdom. Then one day, she told me I was ready to go out on my own. Let me confess—it wasn’t easy. The hardest part was believing in myself. I constantly doubted my skills and vision, feeling like I was failing before I even tried.
Education is a crucial key to success. Invest in workshops, seek out a mentor, and make friends with those who know more than you. You might have the best gear, but if you don’t know how to use it, or understand techniques like composition, lighting, posing, and editing, you won’t capture the best shots. Photography is a lifelong learning process—just when you master one skill, something new comes along.
If you’re passionate about something, you’ll find ways to learn and become a better version of yourself every day. I know there’s still so much for me to learn in this beautiful career, but I’m enjoying the journey—learning from my mistakes and making things better the next time around.
What is the number one obstacle or challenge you are currently facing and what are you doing to try to resolve or overcome this challenge?
Yes! One of the challenges I’m facing right now is getting clients. My style is minimalist—less is more. I focus on emotions and feelings, not on decorations. I don’t look for poses; instead, I aim for naturalness, always capturing from the inside, even if it seems like I’m just focusing on the outside. I love offering my clients outfits they might never think to wear.
This can be tough because most of the market is used to classic portraits, and I’m trying to make a difference, to stand out for this unique approach. I want to be known for capturing the essence of my subjects in a way that’s authentic and true to who they are.
Contact Info:
- Instagram: @hellomemoriesby_yesenia
- Facebook: Hello Memories by Yesenia
Image Credits
All photos were taken by me.
so if you or someone you know deserves recognition please let us know here.
