"Give a girl a camera, and she can conquer the world." Theresa Balderas is a true Mexican girl at heart, and one with purpose! Her intuition and determination has led her to become a self-made photographer and definitely one to brag about. She's a girl just like me and you, chasing after her own dreams and making them happen one photo-shoot at a time. As a Latina, it's an honor to see such talent receiving the recognition she deserves. *Hint* Her work has been in Vogue and several other publications, not to mention awards and exhibitions. I mean, talk about an amazing roster of work and talent! If she doesn't convince enough you to pick up a camera and follow your dreams then I will. So BRB, off to look for my long lost camera...*cue the lolz*
Describe yourself in 3 words:
TB: Passionate, Loving, Positive
How did you get your start in your field of photography?
TB: My grandfather and my mom are photographers. I grew up assisting my mom on set and on location photo shoots. People always asked me if I wanted to be a photographer just like my mom, I always refused to the idea. Eventually I went to College and started Design School. Two years later I dropped and I started all over in my real passion Photography School.
Most memorable moment in your career and why it matters to you.
TB: Back in the days when I was a student I was barely passing my classes. I never felt I was talented in a specific class or activity. Three years ago when I was in Photo Journalism School I got recognition of my work in several occasions. A book award publication in Berlin, publications in magazines worldwide and my first show in NYC. For the first time I felt my work mattered. Seeing my work out there made me realize that my goal as a photographer is to inspire people to create more.
Your photography is absolutely stunning, how often do you shoot and what's your process like?
TB: Thank you! I consider myself a "street photographer." I see things all the time, when I'm walking in the streets, sitting in a restaurant, it doesn't matter what I'm doing I am always looking for the light. I imagine things around me and most of the time I have a camera with me so I can shoot what I visualize. When I get assignments I try to see the place before the shoot so I can start visualizing a concept, the challenge is to balance the space and the subject in one frame. After the shoot I take an hour usually to go over the body of work and then select the best shots to be retouched.
If we were to walk into your room, what would we find on your nightstand?
TB: Books! Miguel Ruiz, Osho, Paulo Coelho, Deepak Chopra. I'm addicted to everything that spells "Spiritual."
Any New Years resolutions you've been thinking about?
TB: I want to continue a documentary project about Love & Relationships I started some years ago and for some reason I didn't continue. I would like to apply everything I read about love and projects in images.
What's it like to work in your field as a Latina?
TB: As a New Yorker I witness fashion in a unique way. Everyday and everywhere people express who they are with fashion. People take it serious and that's something I've never seen anywhere else. As a Latina my responsibility is to inform the things I experience in the fashion world with Latin American magazines. It's important to share the inspiration with the latin audience so designers, models, students and everyone in the fashion field in Latin countries can feel the inspiration from this amazing city and create for their own countries.
Tell us about your childhood, what was it like growing up in Mexico?
TB: I consider Mexico a country where families are usually united and full of values, at least that's what surrounded me when I grew up. I consider myself lucky for growing up in a family that is all about values, united and loving.
Something people may or may not know about you?
TB: I'm obsessed with manicures and pedicures!
Last, what's the one piece of technology you cannot live without?
TB: My iphone.
You can follow Theresa on Insta via the handle
@theresabalderas on Facebook and her site www.theresabalderas.com
*Latinas on the Move is a series by WST documenting the lives of entrepreneurial and business savvy latina women.*