We’re looking forward to introducing you to Tamara Benavente. Check out our conversation below.
Tamara, really appreciate you sharing your stories and insights with us. The world would have so much more understanding and empathy if we all were a bit more open about our stories and how they have helped shaped our journey and worldview. Let’s jump in with a fun one: What are you most proud of building — that nobody sees?
People often see the outcome of my work, but not the sacrifices behind it. What I’m most proud of is everything I’ve quietly overcome to get here.
When I was ten, my family went from a comfortable middle-class life to struggling to afford food. That lasted for nearly a decade. Later, I left everything behind to start over in the United States. I paused my college education to support my family and build a new life from scratch. I received help with part of my tuition, and then worked overtime to pay for the rest.
What I’ve built is a life of independence, creativity, and stability. And while people may see the photos or the polished work, they don’t always know the grit, the courage, and the determination it took to get here.
Can you briefly introduce yourself and share what makes you or your brand unique?
I’m Tamara Benavente, a Miami-based photographer with a background in art, design, and filmmaking. My work lives at the intersection of storytelling and beauty. Whether I’m capturing a family’s laughter on the beach or creating a cinematic portrait inspired by old Hollywood, I’m always chasing that magical moment I know will unfold in front of my lens. I’m drawn to the in-between moments, the realness, the spark that happens when someone feels seen.
What makes my brand unique is the blend of artistry and connection. I believe every session is a collaboration. There’s always a kind of dance or dynamic between me and the person in front of the camera. I’m not just taking a photo, I’m building it with them. That connection shapes everything about the image, from the mood to the movement.
I specialize in family and portrait photography, but I’m especially passionate about fashion and creative portraiture. I love collaborating with people to create images that feel timeless, personal, and a little magical. Every session is a mix of planning and play, structure and spontaneity. I like to think people can feel that energy in the final images.
Right now, I’m expanding my fashion portfolio and updating my website to share more of that creative work. I’m also always learning, whether it’s piano, Italian, or bookbinding. I believe being a well-rounded artist means staying curious and never standing still.
Thanks for sharing that. Would love to go back in time and hear about how your past might have impacted who you are today. Who were you before the world told you who you had to be?
I don’t think the world told me who I had to be. For me, it’s always felt more like a process of discovery than a battle against expectations. I was a little girl, and later a young woman, who needed to express herself through art. That’s never changed.
As a child, I lived in my imagination. I created entire universes, staged art exhibitions for my parents with my own paintings, wrote plays for my siblings to perform, and planned imaginary vacations to faraway lands where we found treasures and mystery around every corner. That part of me still exists. My inner child is very much alive, and my imagination still leads the way.
What fear has held you back the most in your life?
Fear of change, especially when it comes to financial uncertainty. From the time I was around ten until my late teens, I lived through a period of real hardship.
As a young adult, I made myself a promise: I would bring my family out of it and never be poor again. That sense of responsibility shaped many of my choices. I’ve sometimes stayed in situations longer than I should have, just because the risk of instability felt too high.
Over time, I’ve realized that nothing is guaranteed. Comfort and stability can vanish. But I’ve also survived difficult times before, and I know I could do it again. That gives me a quiet confidence. The fear is still there sometimes, but it doesn’t have the same power over me anymore.
So a lot of these questions go deep, but if you are open to it, we’ve got a few more questions that we’d love to get your take on. What would your closest friends say really matters to you?
They’d say I care deeply about doing the right thing. I try hard to follow my inner moral compass, and I’m drawn to people who live with kindness and integrity. Strong values matter to me. So does trust. It’s important to me that the people around me are genuine, both with themselves and with others.
I think they’d also describe me as passionate, optimistic, and full of energy. I’m always moving toward something that feels meaningful. I value trust, authenticity, and emotional depth.
I find comfort in quiet moments, in nature, in my family, and in the small rituals that bring peace or joy. Whether it’s something simple or something complex, I try to stay open to wonder.
At the heart of it all, what really matters to me is living with purpose, being surrounded by love, and doing good in the world, even in small ways.
Okay, we’ve made it essentially to the end. One last question before you go. If you laid down your name, role, and possessions—what would remain?
A happy and grateful person. And I don’t say that lightly.
Happiness feels natural to me. It’s not something I have to chase. It’s my resting state. Gratitude fuels that joy, and joy makes gratitude feel inevitable. Even when life is difficult or unpredictable, that core stays steady. Strip away the labels, the camera, the titles, and what’s left is someone who feels lucky to be alive and deeply thankful for every day.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.tamarabenavente.com/
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/tamara.benavente/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/tamarabenaventephoto
- Yelp: https://www.yelp.com/biz/tamara-benavente-photography-biscayne-park
- Other: https://www.instagram.com/tamarabenaventephoto/
http://tamaraphotography.com/
Image Credits
© Tamara Benavente – Miami Portrait Photographer
