We recently connected with Dara Peña and have shared our conversation below.

Alright, Dara thanks for taking the time to share your stories and insights with us today. We’d love to hear the backstory behind a risk you’ve taken – whether big or small, walk us through what it was like and how it ultimately turned out.

I think at my age, I’m okay with taking risks. It’s fun to explore what you like, to then find out what’s not for you. About two years ago or so, with no knowledge whatsoever on photography, I picked up those disposable point and shoot film cameras. I think the fact that I didn’t know what I was even doing was a huge risk already. Allowing people to simply see what I see. Everyday I’m taking a risk by being vulnerable through my creations. I do get nervous about it but I’m human. Let me express myself..

Dara, love having you share your insights with us. Before we ask you more questions, maybe you can take a moment to introduce yourself to our readers who might have missed our earlier conversations?

What sets me apart from many in the industry is that I am my own category. I can fall under director, makeup artist, or photographer all at once. They all describe me as the individual I am. It took me some time to get to where I am today but I’ve been trying to learn a sense of pride in my trials and errors. Without them, I wouldn’t be in the position I am as an artist. The motivation I have to progress in my craft is something no one can really take away from me. The only one that can stop me is myself.

For you, what’s the most rewarding aspect of being a creative?

Many artists feel misunderstood and the only way to translate our experiences is through any creative outlets. Art is so special to me because it brings people with different backgrounds together to either debate or appreciate. To be part of this universal language where I can fully express myself is a reward in itself already.

What’s a lesson you had to unlearn and what’s the backstory?

A lesson I had to unlearn was perfection. Any artist can agree with this. Since I was a little girl, I was getting picked at everything I did that I kind of almost had to mold myself into a perfectionist. I mean it was bound to happen. As I got older, it got rough because I would just always see what I did wrong and not what I improved on. This even followed me into my makeup artistry, where you definitely have to be detailed. Photography came into my life later on and this is where I had to truly unlearn that everything had to be perfect. To capture raw moments through my lens meant I had to put that mentality to the side.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://ddarapena.com
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ddarapena/profilecard/?igsh=NTc4MTIwNjQ2YQ==

Image Credits

Photo Credits: Dara Peña