We had the good fortune of connecting with Benita Perez and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Benita, can you walk us through the thought-process of starting your business?
Honestly I never thought I would be a photographer, it all just happened out of a hobby. I intentionally bought my first camera so that I could take photos of my family, friends, and vacation spots. After learning how to actually use my camera and have it on manual mode I started taking portraits of a few people. I posted my photos on Facebook and Instagram and people actually like my work and wanted to book me for sessions. I thought it was so unreal because photography was something I wanted to get in to and I did dream about being a photographer but didn’t think I would be good enough. After doing a few sessions I felt so excited and I would feel such an adrenaline rush while shooting. I knew I had found my passion, it was so rewarding to be able to take photos of people and see that they were enjoying it too made it such a more satisfying feeling. I knew that I had to continue to pursue this photography dream, with the help of my husband, family, and close friends I finally had the courage to promote myself as a photographer. Even to this day, it feels weird calling myself a photographer because it was something I didn’t think I would ever achieve.

Can you open up a bit about your work and career? We’re big fans and we’d love for our community to learn more about your work.
Well, to start I would have to say what sets me apart is that I love to make my clients comfortable and happy. I’m kind of a people pleaser and I want to make sure that my clients are having a good time and feel like they are hanging out with a friend. I would have to say that I’m most proud of my personal growth in my confidence. Don’t get me wrong I still have a lot to work on but I can tell that I’m more confident in myself and my work. I’m less shy, although I’m still awkward haha and I’m more proud of it. The road to get where I’m at wasn’t easy at all and I still have a lot more that I want to do and I know it will come with even more challenges. I’ve had to learn how to value my work and not get taken advantage of. Even though you don’t want to be seen as the bad guy for standing your ground you kind of have to so people can value your worth. I’ve learned from many friends from the industry that I have to believe in myself and have to know my worth, if I don’t then no one else will. The best part throughout all the doubts, failures, and tears is there has always been one person that I can always rely on, my husband. He’s always there to tell me how amazing I am and how far I’ve come. He won’t let me fail or give up no matter how hard it has been. I definitely want the world to know that I’m a person of passion and I take my photography seriously. I want to make sure that my clients are happy with their photos and that they can count on me to help them in any way I can. I’m always honest about what I can provide and don’t try to take advantage of anyone, I want to have my clients trust because that’s what’s most important to me.

Any great local spots you’d like to shoutout?
Dallas has so many great spots and I haven’t gotten the chance to try them all, so these are the spots that I personally recommend. To begin breakfast at All Good Cafe in Deep Ellum is a must, they have such amazing breakfast plates. Dallas has some great parks, I love going to White Rock lake, specifically, Winfrey point it is so pretty there and you get a great view of the lake and a distant view of downtown Dallas. I love the small shops in the Bishop arts district they have so many unique little boutiques. Lunch at Oddfellows is a must they have yummy food and big portions. If you’re wanting something sweet Azucar ice cream and Emporium pies in the Bishop Arts districts is your best bet also, you can’t go wrong with either of them. I personally love BBQ and Babbs Bros BBQ & Blues has the best bbq that I’ve tasted in the area and they also have live music on the weekends. You can’t forget Four Corners Brewery for some great local beer, they have such a chill atmosphere. If you love arcades and drinks then you would definitely want to go to Cidercade, their $10 admission gets you unlimited play its so much fun! I don’t go to many clubs or bars but the ones I enjoy going to are Cafe Salsera and Green Door Public House both have great drinks and great music to dance to.

Shoutout is all about shouting out others who you feel deserve additional recognition and exposure. Who would you like to shoutout?
My number one supporter that deserves a huge shoutout is my husband, Joseph Davila. I seriously wouldn’t be doing what I’m doing if it wasn’t for him. He’s the one who bought me my first camera and has always been there to push me and has kept me going. He’s always believed in me even when I didn’t believe in myself, he’s always been there with words of encouragement. In the photography community, there have been so many people who have helped me to get me where I’m at and who have also pushed me. There have been a few that stuck out more than others though like Cinthia Jaimes of @Cinphotos, Arlin Perez of @Arlinperezphoto, Stephanie Rodriguez of @Stephphotographytx, and Fernanda Garcia of @Capturingsunlightby_fey. All of these ladies have been a tremendous help and such an encouraging group, I’m sincerely so blessed to have found them through photography. I have learned so much from them and love their continued support throughout my journey. A book that I love and has helped me has been Lindsay Adler’s “The Photographer’s Guide to Posing: Techniques to Flatter Everyone” it’s so helpful and has so many great tips to help with posing. And of course a huge thank you a shout out goes to my family and my close friends, they’ve always been willing to help me and to be my models.

Instagram: @benitapphotography
Facebook: Benita P. Photography