Check out Jimena Elizabeth’s Artwork

Today we’d like to introduce you to Jimena Elizabeth.

Jimena, we’d love to hear your story and how you got to where you are today both personally and as an artist.
I grew up in Santa Ana, a small city in El Salvador. For the most part, I grew up as an only child. Mom and dad were hardly home so I relied a lot on my imagination for entertainment. I am a perfectionist, ever since I can remember; and that is something I inherited from my mother. I still recall those long nights she and I would work on school projects for hours until we were contempt with the outcome. I got my father’s sense of humor. As a child, I remember being fascinated by how effortlessly he would make people laugh. Overall, I lived a happy childhood until one day mother sat me down and told me we had to move far away because our lives were in danger. I was 11 years of age. My parents recently had inaugurated a cyber cafe and we were being blackmailed.

Even though I was young, I understood completely our situation and did not oppose my mother’s decision. I packed my dearest belongings and gave my farewells to the only life I ever knew. My mom and I lived with my grandma and aunt for a few years in Barstow, California. My new school was challenging since I was the “new girl” it was not long before I started to get bullied, luckily for me I was lucky enough to count with a great friend for support. Just when I started to adapt my mom separated from my father and we moved to San Diego, of course, I had to say goodbye to my friends. This time it was harder to adapt, I would even have lunch inside the restrooms to avoid interaction. Eventually, they changed my schedule and I found the best of friends. In the middle of sophomore year, my mom and I had to depart to E.S. to renew our documents, I was back where I started, I never felt more like an outsider. I reunited with old friends and people that watched me grow, I spent the best years of my life there, but of course, it was not a permanent visit, once again, I had to leave it all behind. Coming back to San Diego I was diagnosed with depression, the majority of friends that I left had already forgotten me, our friendships were never the same.

Everything came crumbling down after a heartbreak. That’s when photography came into my life. Changing careers was somewhat difficult, fortunately, I started surrounding myself with someone who inspired me to become greater and fully supported my vision. Later I found the idea of creating fascinating, capturing what others did not care to see. I began to feel more connected to my surroundings. I wanted to capture movement and immortalize it in an image forever. I wanted to capture real moments. With the great help of my better half, I was able to quit my job in 2015 and move to Arizona. I am now a full-time photographer.

We’d love to hear more about your art. What do you do you do and why and what do you hope others will take away from your work?
My work consists of immortalizing time. To Capture those beautiful memories and cherish them forever. I like capturing details, as many as I can. There is a saying, it basically says that the person you think of as “yourself” only exists for you; you are not the same for your mother, father, or the stranger you just made eye contact on the street. Everyone speculates a different version of you in their heads.

When my clients see the outcome of their session, they are seeing themselves through my eyes. They are mostly surprised, they love it! I like the concept of shooting real people, with real feelings. Candid moments are my favorite! Shooting moments that are too precious to let go. It warms my heart to see my client’s expression when they see their photos for the first time. At that moment all my hard work is compensated.

It is the greatest feeling in the world. What I do is based on creating, focusing, admiring with no rest, no exhaustion. As if it is vital to my life. And yes, it comes with many challenges… exposing your feelings for them to be shattered, body fatigue, feeling stressed in the search for beauty itself, and the worst of all… frustration when you are misunderstood and unappreciated. But none of that matters when you get to call what you enjoy the most your profession. I am invested in giving my clients a piece of my soul in each session. I have so much to thank them for, it is because of them that I get to live my dream.

The sterotype of a starving artist scares away many potentially talented artists from pursuing art – any advice for those looking to connect with other artist?
In the beginning, I was a bit of a lone wolf after a bad experience with another fellow photographer. It was later that I learned that for every discourages artist there are 30 willing to help you! If you have had a bad experience with someone, do not let that get in the way from bonding with other artists, Lucky for me, I found an amazing comrade who shared his knowledge and has supported me unconditionally throughout my career. There are many communities on platforms that you can join. Surround yourself with creatives, push yourself to learn from others and let others learn from you! Do not be afraid to help others either, this vocation is big enough for all of us.

Do you have any events or exhibitions coming up? Where would one go to see more of your work? How can people support you and your artwork?
You can follow me on Instagram and Facebook, that would help me plenty.

Contact Info:

• Email: jimena96hernandez@gmail.com
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jimena.photographer/
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/photographerjimena/

Image Credit:
Jimena Elizabeth

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