Meet Theresa DiMenno

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

Theresa, so great to have you with us and we want to jump right into a really important question. In recent years, it’s become so clear that we’re living through a time where so many folks are lacking self-confidence and self-esteem. So, we’d love to hear about your journey and how you developed your self-confidence and self-esteem.
Confidence and self-esteem are the result of a journey inward, at least, they have been for me. I believe in looking back to move forward. I’ve examined my family of origin story to unlock the nuances of the baggage I’ve carried and to understand better what serves my greater good and what doesn’t. Through the process, in my life and business, I’ve learned to set good boundaries. I’ve learned that being organized, disciplined, and delaying gratification equates with self-respect. I’ve developed a thicker skin through disappointing client interactions. Moments of self-doubt have been difficult, oftentimes more difficult than the financial roller coaster ride of self-employment. If I begin negative self-talk stemming from rejection or uncertainty, sometimes I’ll go through my website, looking through all the images. I’ll remember the stories, the sense of place, the skill it took, the light. I’ll absorb it all, and at the end, I’ll tell myself I’m valuable, I’m unique, I’m okay, and I usually come back to balance. There are so many layers of a career, of a life. We’re all sensitive people, and we’re all resilient beyond measure. I tend to be led by my heart, by my gut, which can lead to questionable places, but in the long run, it works out better for my business and self-fulfillment in general. I may go through difficult moments of jealousy, frustration, and even anger, but I’ve always been able to pick myself up, dust myself off, and move forward. Sometimes it’s as simple as stepping into the backyard and capturing the light play with late afternoon shadows. Getting out of my head, and into the moment can be transformative. I then realize everyone’s opinions and actions are subjective. It’s all fleeting. The next moment can be completely different … a different attitude, a different experience. It isn’t always as easy as this sounds, but often it is.

Thanks for sharing that. So, before we get any further into our conversation, can you tell our readers a bit about yourself and what you’re working on?
I’m a storyteller at heart. Whether photographing a flower, butterfly, landscape, or individual, I feel joy when creating imagery in the spirit of playfulness, intimacy, and connection. Light inspires me. Light informs color and mood. It conveys the story living in every moment, in the details of every image. Subtle shifts of light can create dramatic effects in angles or contrast, evoking profound responses. In my earliest memories, I loved the beauty, drama, details, and simplicity of nature, which are at the heart of my current passion and career path of photographing nature.

Every fifteen years or so, I intuitively transform into a new realm of photography. I’m currently in a transitional shift, as I incorporate writing memoir to accompany my imagery in a potential book project. I will continue on my path as a nature photographer. In tandem, I’ve begun writing stories of my photographic journey, which includes musicians, nudes, abstracts and personal portraits.

If you had to pick three qualities that are most important to develop, which three would you say matter most?
Boldness. “Whatever you can do or dream you can, begin it. Boldness has genius, power, and magic in it. Begin it now.” This quote by Goethe has been a favorite of mine for decades. When the naysayers spoke, I pressed on. Stepping firmly outside one’s comfort zone is the moment one’s life changes.

Action. Knowing what you want to pursue is the first step. The next step is setting an intention. Good intentions are great, but meaningless if you don’t follow through on the final and most important step, taking action.

Perseverance. Persistence and determination run parallel with unlimited potential. There will be numerous distractions and obstacles along your journey, but the true test is in the longevity, of going the distance.

Okay, so before we go we always love to ask if you are looking for folks to partner or collaborate with?
I enjoy working on large-scale installation projects. Recently, panels were installed of my photography in the newly renovated International Terminal at IAH (Intercontinental Airport Houston), in the flight arrival and departure areas. I love collaborating and assisting clients in finding the best images for their projects. If I don’t have exactly what they’re looking for, I can go out and shoot it. I worked on an extensive wayfinding project for Houston Methodist Hospital a few years ago. My photographs of nature are installed throughout the corridors and elevator banks of the hospital. I would love to collaborate with designers, decorators, and art consultants. Working with a hotel or hotel chain would be wonderful. Corporate spaces are a good fit. My catalog of nature imagery from insects to flowers to sweeping landscapes is immense. I have a large collection of music imagery, dating back to the early 1980s. Acquiring an agent along the way would be optimum.

Contact Info:

Image Credits
All photos © Theresa DiMenno

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