Latina Photographer of Cuban-Spanish Descent Aids Disadvantaged

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

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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.