{"id":165676,"date":"2025-01-14T13:00:53","date_gmt":"2025-01-14T18:00:53","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/models.com\/oftheminute\/?p=165676"},"modified":"2026-05-22T16:15:57","modified_gmt":"2026-05-22T20:15:57","slug":"photographer-diego-bendezu-on-celebrating-latin-american-narratives","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/models.com\/oftheminute\/?p=165676","title":{"rendered":"Photographer Diego Bendezu on Celebrating Latin American Narratives"},"content":{"rendered":"<p><em>Behind the Image is an ongoing MODELS.com series taking a more personal look at both established and emerging creative talent.<\/em><\/p>\n<style>\n.quote {\nline-height: 1.2em !important;\npadding: 35px 25px;\n}\n.wp-caption {\n    margin-top: 65px;\n}\n<\/style>\n<figure id=\"attachment_141369\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-141369\" style=\"width: 800px\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/i.mdel.net\/oftheminute\/images\/2025\/01\/DB_00_Test_003.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"1800\" height=\"2250\" class=\"alignnone size-full wp-image-165678\" \/><figcaption id=\"caption-attachment-141369\" class=\"wp-caption-text\"><br \/>\n<a href=\"\/\/models.com\/people\/diego-bendezu\">Diego Bendezu<\/a>  | Image courtesy of <a href=\"\/\/models.com\/agency\/silver-tooth\">Silver Tooth<\/a><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<h2><a href=\"\/\/models.com\/people\/diego-bendezu\">Diego Bendezu<\/a>, Photographer<\/p>\n<p><strong>Hometown\/country:<\/strong> Ica, Peru<br \/>\n<strong>Based:<\/strong> New York City<br \/>\n<strong> Representation: <\/strong> <a href=\"\/\/models.com\/agency\/silver-tooth\">Silver Tooth<\/a><\/p>\n<p><strong>How would you describe your work? What\u2019s your trademark?<\/strong><br \/>\nMy work is sensible and introspective, balancing meticulousness with curiosity. Beyond aiming to maintain a cohesive visual language and aesthetic, I believe my trademark lies in storytelling and substance. For my work to feel like my own, it\u2019s extremely important to find a personal connection\u2014this could be to a concept, subject, or the people I collaborate with. <\/p>\n<p><strong>How did you first discover your passion for photography, and what specifically led you into the world of fashion photography? <\/strong><br \/>\nUnknowingly I found my passion for photography at about 10 years old. During that time, my parents had moved to the U.S. while I lived with my sister and grandparents in Ica, and since we didn\u2019t have smartphones yet, our only way of communicating was daily phone calls. However, for my parents to know \u2018what I was up to\u2019, they gave me a camera and camcorder to document my day-to-day. I would later transfer it to VHS tapes for them to watch abroad. I forgot about this \u2018passion\u2019 once I moved to the U.S. at 12 years old and wouldn\u2019t consider it a career option until my last year of high school in 2011. It must\u2019ve been my junior or senior year at F.I.T. (Fashion Institute of Technology) that one of our courses required us to produce a fashion shoot. I remember it was the excitement and anticipation of collaborating with other creatives to make a series of images that triggered my interest, which then led my focus to finding photographers to assist and learn from while I polished my vision. <\/p>\n<p><strong>Your work often evokes a sense of nostalgia. What role does memory play in your creative process?<\/strong><br \/>\nWhile we all attempt to \u2018live in the moment\u2019 and look ahead, more often than not, we stare at the past and dwell on the experiences and the people that have shaped who we are. I find this process has been the igniting flame for many of my projects: from migrating and being far away from home to my mother\u2019s and sister\u2019s never-ending resilience, as well as my mentor\u2019s influence beyond his passing. I think being aware of who and what came before us in order to inspire those who will come after us can serve as a fountain of inspiration. <\/p>\n<p><strong>What other jobs have you had?<\/strong><br \/>\nDuring my freshman year at F.I.T. I was incredibly lucky to have met my mentor, Tom Caravaglia. Although he was 84 and had already retired, I worked for him for 2.5 years until his passing in 2014. During our time together,  he trained and taught me what I needed to know to continue working as an assistant. For the next decade I would go on to assist and travel the world while learning from some of the best photographers and creatives.<\/p>\n<p><strong>Can you share your experience collaborating with <a href=\"\/\/models.com\/people\/willy-chavarria\">Willy Chavarria<\/a>; as you have consistently worked with the brand since the start of 2024?<\/strong><br \/>\nOur experience together has been nothing short of incredible. My dear friend and make-up genius <a href=\"\/\/models.com\/people\/marco-castro\">Marco Castro<\/a> invited me to take portraits backstage at<a href=\"https:\/\/models.com\/work\/willy-chavarria-willy-chavarria-ss-24-show\" rel=\"noopener\" target=\"_blank\"> Willy\u2019s SS24 show<\/a>, where Willy would later see what we had created and mark the beginning of our journey together. Since then, we have built a strong relationship where the level of trust and creative freedom as a photographer is beyond enjoyable. I believe what connects us most beyond our work is our understanding of the power of unity and community through our collaborations and each other\u2019s practices. I firmly believe the work we create alongside amazing artists like <a href=\"\/\/models.com\/people\/carlos-nazario\">Carlos Nazario<\/a>, <a href=\"\/\/models.com\/people\/joey-george\">Joey George<\/a>, and <a href=\"\/\/models.com\/people\/marco-castro\">Marco Castro<\/a>, among many others, is a testament to our shared vision and commitment to our culture.    <\/p>\n<p><strong>What inspires your creative process and influences your artistic vision?<\/strong><br \/>\nReferencing back to memory and nostalgia, I find inspiration in past experiences and moments. However, I also find unlimited inspiration in everyday people, particularly the ones who are often overlooked or don\u2019t think of themselves as those whose stories need to be told. My culture and background have also influenced my practice, allowing me to develop a voice and understand my purpose as a photographer. I am currently in year 3 of a book I\u2019m working on, which will serve as an homage to my mentor and culture. <\/p>\n<p><strong>What have you watched\/heard\/read lately that has inspired you?<\/strong><br \/>\nWe\u2019re about 10 weeks post-election, and what I have heard and noticed the most among friends\/colleagues is their drive to reassess their creative outputs, placing a bigger emphasis on being mindful of what\u2019s going on around the world and their communities, in hopes of being more purposeful and bringing attention to a variety of matters. <\/p>\n<p><strong>What do you love about what you do?<\/strong><br \/>\nWhat I have loved the most so far has been the journey; although this has been my first year photographing full-time, I look back with gratitude and pride at the decade I spent assisting and developing. I also love the collaboration aspect; over the past year, I have been able to meet and work with many artists I respect and admire. Lastly, I love the ability to provide a platform for those who may need it and help take their stories further. Through the last year, I\u2019ve been lucky to travel to Peru to collaborate with local brands in the hopes of elevating and showcasing what we have to offer as a country. <\/p>\n<p><strong>What have been the biggest challenges you have faced professionally?<\/strong><br \/>\nLike with any freelance practice, the biggest challenge has been not knowing when to be away and take time off. This includes taking time off and using the time to not think about projects. I think it\u2019s important to disconnect and find a balance between both worlds, however, it\u2019s a balance I\u2019m still learning to navigate. <\/p>\n<p><strong>Who do you think is one to watch?<\/strong><br \/>\nThis goes further than a few individuals, I believe the whole Latin-American\/Hispanic\/Immigrant creative community around the world is one to watch. I would bet nearly everyone has noticed the growth, presence,  and influence many of my peers have had in the fashion industry and beyond.<\/p>\n<h3>Selected Work<\/h3>\n<figure id=\"attachment_141376\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-141376\" style=\"width: 800px\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/i.mdel.net\/oftheminute\/images\/2025\/01\/DB_DearLima_05_sRGB.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"1692\" height=\"2115\" class=\"alignnone size-full wp-image-165681\" \/><figcaption id=\"caption-attachment-141376\" class=\"wp-caption-text\"><br \/>\nImage courtesy of Silver Tooth<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p><strong><a href=\"https:\/\/models.com\/work\/i-d-magazine-dear-lima-venezuelan-migrant-resilience-in-peru\" rel=\"noopener\" target=\"_blank\">Dear Lima<\/a><\/strong><br \/>\nThis portrait is one of my favorites. While it\u2019s a bold image, the core story behind the series and its purpose is what I strive to continue documenting as my career progresses. This one also meant a lot as I had always been a fan of i-D, and having the opportunity to share my story and work on their platform had always been a goal. The series also gave me the confidence to reassess my path and understand my purpose, leading me to focus on making the jump from assisting to photographing.<\/p>\n<figure id=\"attachment_141376\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-141376\" style=\"width: 800px\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/i.mdel.net\/oftheminute\/images\/2025\/01\/DB_LimaFloreciente_01_sRGB.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"1800\" height=\"2250\" class=\"alignnone size-full wp-image-165682\" \/><figcaption id=\"caption-attachment-141376\" class=\"wp-caption-text\"><br \/>\nImage courtesy of Silver Tooth<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p><strong><a href=\"https:\/\/models.com\/work\/vogue-mexico-lima-floreciente\" rel=\"noopener\" target=\"_blank\">Lima Floreciente<\/a><\/strong><br \/>\nLima Floreciente was documented at Lima\u2019s Santa Rosa flower market in November 2023. Like previous personal projects, the intention behind this image and series was to highlight the beauty and resilience of everyday workers. Although the project features over 15 subjects, I selected this one because she was the first person to be photographed. It was about 3:30 am (the market opens around 3 am,) and I specifically remember looking through the camera and understanding just how powerful celebrating others can be. As the night progressed into dawn and more people were photographed, I got to witness the warmth and kindness many expressed when standing for their portrait, as most had never been asked to have their photo taken.<\/p>\n<figure id=\"attachment_141376\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-141376\" style=\"width: 800px\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/i.mdel.net\/oftheminute\/images\/2025\/01\/DIEGO_BENDEZU-VOGUE_COVER_SEPTEMBER.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"2400\" height=\"3000\" class=\"alignnone size-full wp-image-165683\" \/><figcaption id=\"caption-attachment-141376\" class=\"wp-caption-text\"><br \/>\nYoung Miko | Image courtesy of Silver Tooth<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p><strong><a href=\"https:\/\/models.com\/work\/vogue-latin-america-vogue-latin-america-september-2024-covers\" rel=\"noopener\" target=\"_blank\">Vogue Latin America September 2024 Covers<\/a><\/strong><br \/>\nThis image and commission was a rollercoaster of joy. We photographed this story in Mexico City during the first week of July 2024. The lead-up to the project began three weeks earlier when <a href=\"\/\/models.com\/people\/karla-martinez-de-salas\">Karla Martinez de Salas<\/a> messaged asking if I would be interested in photographing <a href=\"\/\/models.com\/people\/young-miko\">Young Miko<\/a> for their September cover. At that moment, I literally jumped for joy, being reminded that hard work does pay off and &#8220;todo lo bueno toma tiempo&#8221; (everything good takes time.) I believe getting to photograph a Vogue cover marks a milestone in a creative\u2019s career, and this one went further as it was part of their 25th Anniversary issue. I am forever grateful to Karla, <a href=\"\/\/models.com\/people\/valentina-collado\">Valentina Collado<\/a>, and the Vogue team for their continued trust and support, and for granting me the space to contribute to our culture.<\/p>\n<figure id=\"attachment_141376\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-141376\" style=\"width: 800px\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/i.mdel.net\/oftheminute\/images\/2025\/01\/DB_Gabuteau_FW24_03_sRGB.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"1800\" height=\"2250\" class=\"alignnone size-full wp-image-165684\" \/><figcaption id=\"caption-attachment-141376\" class=\"wp-caption-text\"><br \/>\nImage courtesy of Silver Tooth<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p><strong><a href=\"https:\/\/models.com\/work\/various-campaigns-gabuteau-fw24-campaign\" rel=\"noopener\" target=\"_blank\">Gabuteau F\/W 24 Campaign<\/a><\/strong><br \/>\nI\u2019ve included this image in the five selected as it showcases Peru\u2019s endless beauty. Although its original purpose is a commercial campaign, I believe the photograph does a good job of merging the magnificence of my land with a locally produced product and showcases the range and potential many local creatives have to offer. This trip was also very special as I got to spend some days in the magical Lake Titicaca, with landscapes I dreamt of seeing as a kid, all while working with an incredible team that made the experience even better.<\/p>\n<figure id=\"attachment_141376\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-141376\" style=\"width: 800px\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/i.mdel.net\/oftheminute\/images\/2025\/01\/DB_TheFace_WC_06_sRGB.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"3600\" height=\"2250\" class=\"alignnone size-full wp-image-165685\" \/><figcaption id=\"caption-attachment-141376\" class=\"wp-caption-text\"><br \/>\nImage courtesy of Silver Tooth<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p><strong><a href=\"https:\/\/models.com\/work\/the-face-magazine-family-first\" rel=\"noopener\" target=\"_blank\">Family First<\/a><\/strong><br \/>\nThis photograph is the one that best summarizes my relationship with <a href=\"\/\/models.com\/people\/willy-chavarria\">Willy Chavarria<\/a>, as a person and brand. Beyond the fashion aspect, the reason it\u2019s one of my favorites and serves as a testament to our work together is the way in which we\u2019re able to create a world where all are equal and seen. We share the same understanding and appreciation of our culture + community, which enables us to see eye to eye and to create freely. We get extremely excited every time a project comes up, as we genuinely enjoy collaborating and have so much fun in the process. This particular image was tons of fun, as I had sent Willy a similar image I had taken in Peru and wanted to try the same for him \u2013 he agreed, and we got it done.<\/p>\n<p><!--pp-thumb-start--><!--PictPress found no dir \/2025\/01\/165676--><!--pp-thumb-end--><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Behind the Image is an ongoing MODELS.com series taking a more personal look at both established and emerging creative talent. Diego Bendezu, Photographer Hometown\/country: Ica, Peru Based: New York City Representation: Silver Tooth How would you describe your work? What\u2019s your trademark? My work is sensible and introspective, balancing meticulousness with curiosity. Beyond aiming to&hellip;<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":450,"featured_media":165687,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[12752,13941,10414,16,13943],"tags":[13154,14698,14699],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/models.com\/oftheminute\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/165676"}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/models.com\/oftheminute\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/models.com\/oftheminute\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/models.com\/oftheminute\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/users\/450"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/models.com\/oftheminute\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcomments&post=165676"}],"version-history":[{"count":10,"href":"https:\/\/models.com\/oftheminute\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/165676\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":165694,"href":"https:\/\/models.com\/oftheminute\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/165676\/revisions\/165694"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/models.com\/oftheminute\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/media\/165687"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/models.com\/oftheminute\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fmedia&parent=165676"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/models.com\/oftheminute\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcategories&post=165676"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/models.com\/oftheminute\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Ftags&post=165676"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}