Graciela Valdes, a 2019 Hispanic Woman of Distinction, CPP, Certified Professional Photographer, Graciela Valdes Fine Art Photography

“Being a Hispanic woman in today’s society means we get to bring to light what it means to live passionately.”

Selfies, photo bombs, photo booths, group shots, ID photos, candid shots, security footage – these days our image is being constantly recorded but how many photos capture the real you? What images are you using for business branding that express your unique professional qualities?

What flattering, truthful and intimate photos do you have that you want someone special to see?

Graciela Valdes creates photographic art experiences that are healing, transformative and empowering. She guides her subjects through an introspective journey that highlights their power and potential through personal branding images for business or boudoir portraiture as a means of self-expression and even self-care.

Based in Fort Lauderdale, Graciela works closely with her clients to create images that they can be proud to claim as themselves. When shooting personal branding portraits, Graciela carefully considers their industry, company culture, corporate colors and/or needed marketing applications to create the personal and professional image necessary to achieve her client’s goals of attracting their ideal client.

When choosing Graciela’s specialty of sensual and elegant boudoir photo sessions, couples, women, men, non-binary and transgender persons alike enjoy a photographic portrait session that is more designed to speak to how one feels rather than simply a photo celebrating the body.

She creates fine art images of their intimate selves.  These are immersive experiences complete with luxurious locations, tasty treats and the services of expert wardrobe, hair and makeup stylists.

Graciela also offers her photography to a number of non-profits to help uplift or to portray the plight of their beneficiaries. She is also actively involved in a number of organizations’ fundraising, friend-raising or empowerment goals.

Graciela is the Executive Advisory Board Chair at Elite Foundation, a non-profit that educates and empowers survivors of human trafficking that they might become thriving survivors and evolve into leaders of the cause.

At BowTie Kids, Graciela chairs the creation of programming for children living with chronic pain where they are given an escape to enjoy themselves with fun activities while building their courage and confidence and sense of community with each other.

Working through the Greater Fort Lauderdale Chamber of Commerce (GFLCC), Graciela also creates life-affirming portraits of women and families residing at the Women in Distress residence center. She and her GFLCC Community Outreach Committee members have also created the “Power to the Girls” conferences for PACE Center for Girls Broward.

She also is actively involved with ™the Children’s Diagnostic and Treatment Center, Nicklaus Children’s Hospital VACC Camp, Girl Scouts of Southeast Florida and Tomorrow’s Rainbow.

Graciela is the founder of the Pilot Light Portraits™ project, an artistic movement and photographic experience that honors survivorship through story-telling portraits that showcase the subject’s source of strength, aka their “pilot light,” to inspire others.

A frequent speaker at area conferences and expert commentator for print publications, Graciela received her Bachelor of Science degree from Florida International University’s College of Education. She also is credentialed as a Certified Professional Photographer as recognized by Professional Photographers of America, the world’s largest non-profit trade association for professional photographers.

Born in the United States and of Cuban and Spanish descent, Graciela was named the “2018 Small Business Person of the Year” by the GFLCC, and was also honored for her leadership with the 2018 “Excuse Me, That’s My Seat” conference.

Graciela and her life partner, Timothy Blanton, who is a Fleet Manager for the City of Oakland Park, are parents to Codie, Kyle, Ayden and Abigail and grandparents to Aleigha and Sadie. Together they enjoy traveling and exploring the world around them.

For more information, visit www.hispanicwomenofdistinction.com or 954-601-6550 or email: hispanicwomenlunch@aol.com.

Related articles: 

2019 

Latina Chief Diversity Officer Supports Puerto Rico Hurricane Relief

Latina Education Leader Of Cuban Ecuadoran Descent Makes An Impact

Puerto Rican Latina Humanitarian, Yoga Instructor and Orthopedic Surgeon

Latina CEO of Dominican Descent Gives Back To South Florida Community

First Generation American Of Cuban Descent Makes Mark On South Florida

Here are last year’s 2018

Puerto Rican Latina Has Improved the Lives of Many Young People

Latina at the Forefront of International Policy and Business

Cuban Latina  Enables Affordable Housing and Education

Panamanian Latina Has Received Stellar Recognition From the Children Services Council

Latina From Madrid Making Strides in Media Supports Low Income Kids Through the PTA 

Puerto Rican Latina Marketing and Media Exec Also Supports Healthcare Organizations

Uruguayan Latina Business Development Leader Supports Education Initiatives

Venezuelan Latina Psychologist Has Helped Many Find Happiness

Peruvian Latina, Noted CPA, Outdoorswoman and Charitable Fundraiser

Ecuadorian Latina Has Made Great Strides As Director of Miami-Dade County’s Parks

Colombian Latina Nutritionist Small Business Owner Helps Women  Be Their Healthy Best

Latina New Yorker of Colombian Heritage: Banking Executive/Community Activist

Latina Business Leader Spotlight: Ad Exec Daisy Expósito-Ulla 

Latina Ad Exec Daisy Expósito-Ulla Talks Building a Business

Here are the 2017 Hispanic Women of Distinction:

GLORIA L.  DIAZ-DANIELS –Div Sales Mgr Sales-Pharmacy Walmart – Palm Beach Colombian Born Latina Shines As Mentor and Walmart Sales Exec

ADRIANA FAZZANO FICANO – Chief of Staff, Broward College – Broward County Colombian-American Latina Leads College PR and Community Organizations

BLANCA GUERRA -Broward County Schools-Curriculum Sup/Dual Languages –Dade Cuban Latina Excels at Education and Preserving Heritage Languages  

KARINA GOMEZ-HERRERA – Pres. CEO Karnna Fashion & Company – Broward:  Outstanding Venezuelan Latina Excels as a “Hispanic Fashion Advisor”

Dr IVERIS LUZ MARTINEZ- Assoc Prof. Herbert Werthein College/Medicine FIU-Dade Cuban-American Latina Is a Premier Healthcare Anthropologist 

LORENA MASTRARRIGO -Assistant Public Defender, Broward County – Broward  Argentinian-American Latina Attorney Helping Hispanic Community

CHRISTINA PEREZ McDOWELL – Founder, Solutions by CPM, LLC – Dade- Cuban-American Latina Brand Manger and Executive Consultant

JACQUELINE NUNEZ – Co-owner, SOMA Medical Centers PA – Palm Beach Colombian Latina Healthcare Financial Officer Supports Those In Need

Dr. JACQUELINE PENA – Dean Academic Affairs – Miami Dade College –  Dade Dominican Bronx Latina Secures Grants to Drive Student Success

MICHELLE MARTINEZ-REYES- CMO, Greenspoon Marder Law Firm – Broward  Latina Cuban-American Chief Marketing Officer Is Growing Brands

MARIELLE SOLOGUREN – Vice President. Pierson Grant Public Relations – Broward Latina of Ancestry Cuban-Peruvian Making Waves in PR

RACHEL TOURGEMAN –Community Relations Dir.- Florida National University-Dade Panamanian-American Latina Community Relations Professional Advocates for Victims

LATINA PIONEER of the YEAR:  

DAISY EXPOSITO-ULLA – Chairman, CEO of d exposito & Partners, a visionary creative leader in cross-cultural brand building for more than 30 years, Daisy has been recognized by numerous organizations and named as one of the most influential Latinas in the United States.