Denise Vasquez Photography
First impressions are everlasting, and so are the memories captured in a photograph!
Hi, I am Denise Vasquez
I am an award winning, multi-published photographer, artist, creative director, editor, writer, and Founder of PROMOTE Magazine & The Disabled Photographer Project & How Accessible Is Accessible Series.
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Born & raised in New York City, I left home when I was 17, and have been traveling since living in Scotland, London, US Virgin Islands, California & now Nevada. I'm 54 years young now, and I have no hangup about telling the world how old I am, because I've accomplished a great deal in my life & for me age is just a reminder of where I've been and where I am! Traveling has always been an important part of my life because it connects me with places, gives me new experiences, influences my perspective, and inspires me to share the beauty in the world I connect with my heART & see through my lens. That's why you can usually find me adventuring outdoors whether I'm doing a photo experience, connecting with nature or working on my ongoing project.
About My Ongoing Project: The Disabled Photography Project & How Accessible Is Accessible Series
I became disabled due to a work injury, ending up in a wheelchair for three years. I won't dive in too deep with details as the experience was very traumatic for me, but being that I was actively working, performing, doing photography, hiking and traveling before my injury; I never stopped finding ways to get outdoors to connect with nature while pursuing my passion for photography. While exploring many places over the years, whether using a wheelchair, rolling walker, cane or walking sticks, I discovered that the world is not accessible to everyone. After spending a lot of time, money, and traveling to national & state parks that were not as accessible as they claim to be or ADA Compliant which has been the law for over 30 years, rather than be angry, disappointed and frustrated, I decided to let my voice be heard, make a difference and share my journey by starting my project & Founding The Disabled Photographer Project & How Accessible Is Accessible series. I utilized all my talents & skills and began creating youtube videos, writing blogs, and posting content on Instagram , tiktok & facebook from my positive perspective, sharing what I discovered is possible, what is accessible, how accessible, and what changes are needed. Over the years, I've participated on panels & continue to consult with parks and organizations in the USA & Canada, about what improvements are needed, while bringing awareness about what inclusivity really means to me. Change begins with awareness, communication and accessibility! For over three years now, I've been traveling, working on my project, and sharing information whenever I can. This is my way of giving back to my community, especially for those who are like me, over the age of 50, disabled or both. We are all human beings, and we all deserve the right to have equal accessibility to nature and the outdoors whether it's to connect, to heal, to create or to be happy! I am so grateful to be back on my feet, even for limited periods of time. I am living with a permanent disability, but I am living proof that whatever you focus on, you can create! Being disABLED doesn't mean I am unable, it means that I'm more mindful about my body and how I feel than ever before, and I do things differently that sometimes takes more research, planning and preparation. I'm taking things one step at a time, while continuing to explore new locations, capturing moments along my journey, and sharing How Accessible the locations really are! I have many goals set for my project, one of which is to continue photographing my travels and accessible locations and bring awareness to a wider audience in photo books. Take a look at my TRAVEL page HERE featuring some of my favorite moments I've photographed over the years at accessible locations. I'm currently applying for grants, awards & seeking contributions for my project. If you would like to support my project, by making a Donation, click HERE Donations help support time, research, planning, booking, travel, accommodations, meals, location scouting, creating content, photography, videography, reels, editing, equipment, memory cards, hard drives, storage, organizing, compiling and sharing information collected, Captioning YouTube videos, writing blogs, posting on instagram, tiktok & so much more.
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About Me:
Want to know more about me? My story is a long creative one, so here's the short version. My journey in the arts began when my mother enrolled me in dance classes. My first performance on stage was at age 4. Thru my early teens, I was performing on stage whether I was singing, acting, doing Improv, sketch comedy, dancing or playing violin. By my early 20's I was dancing, modeling, acting and performing on stages, runways, in music videos, on TV, Industrials, Educational Videos and in Feature Films. Later in life, I accomplished one of my many dreams, to be a stand up comedian! I'm here to tell you, it's never too late to live your dreams!
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In my early 20's, not only did I work in TV, feature films, and music videos, in front of the camera in New York City, I also got hands on experience working behind the camera. When I lived on St. John in the US Virgin Islands, I worked for casting & film companies (Film It VI & Grip Flicks), traveling with them as a translator (I speak fluent Spanish), and as a production, casting assistant, key set PA, learning many things on the job including how to scout and photograph talent. I'm also an adventurer at heart, and lets face it, being in the entertainment business is an adventure of a lifetime! I've been traveling my entire life and I am always planning my next adventure.
I've held many positions in my life including working as a wedding coordinator with my partners at Book It VI. As a wedding coordinator, I did everything from consulting with my clients, to creating packages, booking the minister, accommodations, transportation, music, florist, photographer, scouted locations, acquired permits & more! I've also promoted, hosted, and produced my own shows, booked singer, songwriters, musicians and bands on St John, USVI in 6 of my "Ladies Night & Ladies In The Courtyard" Music Festivals. In Los Angeles, I promoted and booked comedians, musicians, actors, singer/songwriters, on my WO+MEN 4 A CAUSE events & WO+MEN 4 APPLAUSE Variety Shows at Grauman's Chinese Theatre in Hollywood, and at Flappers Comedy Club in Burbank, CA. During my shows, I wore many hats, but I felt it was imperative for artists to have good promotional photos, that represented them at their best, so I began photographing every artist as they performed on stage. When the performers shared the moments I captured, others began approaching me about wanting to be photographed, and that's when I knew I was on to something with my photography and promoting. Over the years, I received even more hands on experience photographing candid portraits, while working for photography companies at Universal Studios Hollywood & at The San Diego Zoo.
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All of my accomplishments are the result of years of hard work, focus & determination. Below you can see some of my achievements:
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AWARDS: The Inspired Creator Grant Award for The Disabled Photographer Project & How Accessible Is Accessible Series, Worthy Works Award & Honoree featured in "The Direct Buzz Magazine"for outstanding work with WO+MEN 4 A CAUSE and the community, Five time Winner of the ASCAP PLU$ Performing Songwriters Award, Music Connection Magazine Hot 100 Unsigned Artist List for 6 Consecutive years, and Recognized by the Recording Academy during the Grammy Nominations for “Frame Of Mind”(3rd Album).
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EXHIBITIONS: First Friday (Las Vegas, NV), Denise Vasquez Photography Gallery & Gift Shop (Joshua Tree, CA), The Yucca Valley Film Festival Art Exhibit (Yucca Valley, CA), The Hi-Desert Community Darkroom (Yucca Valley, CA), In The Loop (Temecula, CA), The Southwest Environmental Center (Las Cruces, NM), Cleanwave.org, San Diego Fair Exhibition Of Photography (Del Mar, CA), Museum Of Ventura County Smith Pavillion (Ventura, CA), San Diego Comic Con International (San Diego, CA), Dragon Con (Atlanta, GA), Designer Con (LA, CA), La Bodega Art Gallery (San Diego, CA), Hold Up Art Gallery (LA, CA), Vinyl Thoughts 2 Art Show (Fort Worth, Texas), Pancakes And Booze (San Diego, CA), and more.
PANELS: The Parks Accessibility of Canada's National Parks (Panelist), Portland Art Museum: Claiming Connection: Cultivating A Relationship With Place as Disabled Artists (Panelist), Self Promotion for Artists at San Diego Comic Con (Moderator) Yucca Valley Film Festival (Artist, Panelist), Tricks Of The Trade at San Diego Comic Con & Stan Lee Comikaze Expo (Moderator), Jedi Con in Germany (Performer, Panelist), Sketch Card Mania at ComicPalooza & Chicagoland Entertainment Expo (Moderator), and The Art Of Self Promotion at Dragon Con (Panelist).
PUBLISHED internationally as a Photographer: National Geographic Yourshot (Daily Dozen), Canon Photo Plus Magazine, SWANKY Magazine, 6X BLUSH Magazine, GMARO Magazine, Marika Magazine, Edith Magazine, Malvie French Magazine, Big bear guide, Canvas Rebel, SDVOYAGER, Dreamy Magazine, on the covers of About Town Magazines, and much more! Click here to see some of my published work PUBLISHED.
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PUBLISHED internationally as a Writer: Lonely Planet, "Sketch Card Mania" (Penguin Random House), LA Cultural Events Examiner.com, singer/songwriter/guitarist/publisher (ASCAP) with 3 albums featuring songs written, performed & co-produced by Denise Vasquez on Spotify, Apple Music, Amazon Music & more.
PUBLISHED internationally as an Artist: Lucasfilm, Her Universe Hot Topic, Disney, Sideshow Collectibles R2Me2 Project, Topps, Art Hustle, DKE Toys, Sketch Card Mania, Comic-Con Episode IV A Fans Hope, The Walking Dead Sketch Cards, March Of Dimes Sketch Cards, Archie Sketch Cards, Breygent Marketing...
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PUBLISHED internationally as a Performer: actress, comedian, dancer (SAG-AFTRA) click here to see IMDb. singer/songwriter/guitarist/publisher (ASCAP) with 3 albums on Spotify, Apple Music, Amazon Music
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CONTRIBUTOR: Adobestock, Alamy, istock by Getty Images, and Shutterstock.
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Lets work together! I am available to hire for photo sessions, destination experiences, consultations, conferences, panels, lessons, partnerships...whether it be as your photographer, mentor, speaker, consultant, content creator, writer, ambassador, or promoter! Select the service you're inquiring about by using the contact form... Read More
