Today we’d like to introduce you to Yeya Chávez.
Hi Yeya, so excited to have you with us today. What can you tell us about your story?
I grew up in a house full of artists—my father a musician, my mother a graphic designer. I was constantly surrounded by actors, painters, and theater creatives, each bringing their own bohemian, unconventional spirit into my life. This free-spirited environment shaped my perspective from a young age, eventually leading me to study Image & Motion at the School of Fine Arts in Puerto Rico—even though I saw myself more as a student of life than of any institute. I ultimately left to pursue my career as a filmmaker and photographer.
While in school, I somehow found myself as the personal photographer for Puerto Rican designer Stella Nolasco at NYFW, as well as the go-to photographer for Teatro Breve, Puerto Rico’s very own SNL-style comedy troupe. Somewhere between art school critiques, I also juggled being a production assistant on films like Runner, Runner, Replicas, and MTV reality shows—all while building my love affair with portrait photography.
After seven years in the trenches of production, my husband and I co-founded a production company. I took on the glamorous-sounding roles of producer and director, overseeing music videos, commercials, and documentaries. In reality, this taught me a lot about managing clients and teams, multitasking, and the fine art of staying on schedule—and that I never want to manage large teams again. Turns out, I’m more of a solo flight kind of person.
From 2017 to 2022, we ran the company together, but as COVID hit and work slowed on the Island, we decided to wind down operations. This led us to Boston, where two years of self-discovery and experimentation eventually pointed us toward Los Angeles. We’ve been here for eight months now, and it’s already been a wild, inspiring ride.
Alright, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
Some of the obstacles and challenges I’ve faced in this line of work have involved creating consistent work for myself. But more than that, it’s been an exercise in understanding my limiting beliefs and realigning my mindset as a freelance photographer. I’ve learned to expand my horizons mentally and to be more open to where life takes me in this realm. Sometimes, when we want something so badly, we hold onto the idea so tightly that we end up chasing it away.
Appreciate you sharing that. What else should we know about what you do?
I’m here to amplify your brand’s essence and immortalize life’s fleeting beauty with grace and sophistication.
Refining my aesthetic, brand ethic, and philosophy is a continuous journey. I am always seeking ways to improve my work and methods to offer carefully crafted, high-quality images that speak to my clients. My photo sessions are designed for the intentional, the vibrant, the aesthetic enthusiasts, and the creatively adventurous. I love working with clients in Publicity, Film, Fashion, and Design, bringing visually striking imagery to the commercial realm.
With a keen eye for aesthetics and composition, I’ve had the privilege of working with celebrities like Keeley Hawes and Dafne Keen, with my work featured in ELLE Magazine and Town & Country Magazine. Whether I’m capturing elegant portraits or showcasing beautiful products, I bring a unique blend of creativity and spontaneity to each shoot—through my own lens, with poetic softness and genuine emotion.
When I’m not behind the camera, you’ll find me planning my next project or exploring new ways to deepen my love for visual storytelling. With a talented team by my side, I’m ready for any creative challenge—from large-scale productions to intimate brand shoots.
Can you talk to us a bit about happiness and what makes you happy?
Happiness comes in waves. It’s never this constant, stable thing—it’s more like the ocean. Sometimes it rushes in and overwhelms you, other times it slips away quietly, leaving you standing on the shore, wondering when it’ll return. But that’s the beauty of it, right? It’s always in motion, unpredictable and alive.
To me, happiness isn’t something to chase or pin down; it’s a visitor that comes and goes, teaching us to savor the highs and embrace the calm that follows. There’s a freedom in accepting its ebb and flow, in letting it arrive unannounced and depart when it needs to.
Contact Info:
- Website: thisisyeya.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thisisyeya
