Today we’d like to introduce you to Daniela Guerrero.
Daniela, we appreciate you taking the time to share your story with us today. Where does your story begin?
I was a very curious child when it came to art, growing up in a household full of artists. It was a humble yet enriching environment that always encouraged artistic exploration and thinking beyond the beliefs that were deeply ingrained in our culture. Immersed in this world, I had the freedom to experiment, make mistakes, and learn that as long as what I create matters to me, it’s worth pursuing. This laid the foundation for my sense of identity and integrity, values that would later serve me in profound ways as a guide on my ongoing journey of self-discovery, a journey that has taken many twists and turns.
In my early teens, my father gifted me my first film camera, and 18 years later, I’ve never put a camera down. It was clear to me from the start that this was my path. Though my vision has evolved, photography will always be my guiding force. I began exploring documentary photography during my travels, and after a long journey—physically, mentally, and emotionally—backpacking through South America, the path led me here, where I became a mother. I was learning a new language, a new culture, and a new way of life, so foreign to what I was used to.
Motherhood, along with the experience of building a family in such circumstances, opened new ways of seeing, feeling, and interpreting the world. This had a profound influence on my approach to photography, my practice, and my place in the world that I had encountered.
In 2014, I moved to Asheville. Though it was very different from the environment I came from, this place felt like home from the moment I visited. I set roots here, and in doing so, I connected with a wonderful community of artists and creatives. I’ve always known I wanted to be a freelancer, to work for myself in a way that would allow me the freedom to continue growing both in my practice and in my life.
At the time, I realized that my immediate community consisted of families, so I began offering family sessions. As I sat down to write my goals as a family photographer, I found that by the end of the year, I had exceeded the humble expectations I’d set for myself. It was an incredibly rewarding feeling that pushed me to continue learning, connecting, and working hard. This journey gradually led me into the wedding photography world, and now, seven years later, it’s a full-time career that continues to grow and challenge me in ways I never imagined!.
My photography business has provided a strong foundation for my personal practice with fine art film photography, which remains a deeply sacred space for me. This practice allows me to cultivate and protect a way of seeing the world that feels very grounding. It’s within this space that I’m able to slow down, observe with intention, and reflect on all layers of life. The quiet process of working with film encourages me to embrace patience, to see things as they are, and to capture moments in their most authentic form. My personal work is not just a creative outlet but a core part of how I approach all of my photography. It allows me to stay true to my values and connect more deeply with the families and couples I work with.
We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
The road to where I am today has definitely not been smooth, and I think it’s important to acknowledge that the journey is rarely linear, especially when you’re building something from the ground up. Each individual’s path is unique, and to say it was easy would be misleading. The struggles and challenges are part of the process, and it’s essential to recognize that.
One of the key elements that’s helped me along the way has been the incredible community that has supported me at every stage of my life. Success is not just about individual effort; it’s about the many acts of kindness and belief from those around us, sometimes even when we don’t believe in ourselves. During my darkest moments, when doubt crept in, the encouragement from others helped guide me back on track. It’s a reminder that we’re not alone in our struggles, and the hope is always to pass that same support on to others.
When I moved to the country with the father of my children, as a first-generation immigrant with very limited financial means, the challenges of building a life in a new environment were overwhelming, intimidating, and exhausting. I knew I had to do whatever it took to make the most of this opportunity and set an example for my children that the path can be limitless if we set our minds to it. I am incredibly grateful for the people who supported me during those challenges, and I recognize how privileged I was. I know many who face similar struggles don’t receive the same opportunities or humanity that I did. Learning a new language, integrating into a new culture, and finding my place in a new community were just a few of the hurdles I faced. Yet, these experiences taught me the discipline and resilience that would serve me later in my life and career.
In this industry, I’ve found it especially challenging to remain sensitive to the world around me for the sake of creating meaningful work, while also cultivating a strong drive that’s often very methodical and pragmatic. Shifting between these two mindsets can be difficult, but I’ve come to realize they complement each other beautifully. One offers breathing room for the other, providing grounding when creative blocks arise and offering structure when things need a more logical approach.
The photography market can feel incredibly saturated, and when I was starting out, the thought of entering such a competitive field was daunting. I remember thinking, “Why should I even bother, when there’s already so much great work out there?” But deep down, I knew I had to show my kids that there was space for my own voice to exist. Building my brand and finding my unique approach helped me see that there’s no competition, just a supportive network of creatives who help each other grow. Shifting my mindset helped me overcoming imposter syndrome that many of us in this field of work can relate to. It has been liberating, and it’s allowed me to fine-tune my own creative language.
Thanks – so what else should our readers know about your work and what you’re currently focused on?
I am a photographer and visual artist. My studies in photography are deeply rooted in the human experience and all the layers it encompasses. This has manifested in work that reflects my view of the world around me, my children, and how impermanence plays a significant role in our lived experiences. Themes like time, transitions, becoming, grief, and a reverence for the human connection to the landscape are central to my work.
I took a non-traditional approach to my photography education. My experiences with the world became my teacher, and I am self-taught in the technical aspects of my field. My business became successful enough to support formal studies, which allowed me to embark on an intentional journey to deepen my knowledge of film photography, metaphor in imagery, and fostering a space to experiment with different formats. This approach has deeply influenced not only my personal work but also my wedding and family photography work.
Black and white film photography, in particular, is an area I have intentionally focused on. Learning to develop and process film in various formats over the years has brought a different presence to what I create. I don’t work with “clients”; I build relationships through human stories. Understanding this distinction has allowed me to create work that feels honest and is a true representation of how I perceive and illustrate the stories of those I photograph, as well as my own.
What sets me apart is the same thing that sets everyone apart—our unique individuality and the personal language we develop with the medium. When you find someone who understands your way of seeing, the connections made through that shared process make the experience that much more rewarding.
In today’s world, anyone can take a great photo. I’m not here to create just “great” photographs. My goal is to create images that connect with someone, even if it’s just one person, on a deep level, fostering a collaborative experience between the photographer and the viewer
What makes you happy?
Experiences that allow me to spend quality time with the people I love and care about. Watching my kids grow. Traveling. Movement, dance, music, and creating. Sunny days, and my quiet mornings with a cup of coffee as I watch the sunrise. These are the moments that ground me and connect me to my humanity. The demands of the pragmatic world can easily pull us away from this space, so I truly treasure the moments I can carve out to appreciate these simple yet essential experiences.
Contact Info:
- Website: www.danielaguerrerophotography.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/danielaguerrero_photography/?hl=en
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/DanielaGuerreroPhotography/
- Other: www.danielaguerrero.co
