Meet Patricia Pena | Los Angeles based Health and Wellness Photographer

We had the good fortune of connecting with Patricia Pena and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Patricia, what do you think makes you most happy? Why?
It’s the little things that make me happy. I am happiest when I feel the warmth of the sun on my skin, go for a drive on PCH and I can smell the ocean breeze, hikes with amazing views of the city, hanging with my family and friends, making beautiful photos with my clients, and witnessing a smile from my new baby Leo.

Alright, so let’s move onto what keeps you busy professionally?
Photography is my art and I love photographing people. Whether the photo shoot is a portrait, lifestyle, yoga, or fitness shoot I believe that we all just want to be seen. We live in a world where image is everything; it’s the way we introduce ourselves before we even enter a room. When I photograph a client, my goal is the same with each session; to capture my clients authentically, to make images that will help them connect with their clients and in the process make them feel confident about who they are and how they present themselves. And because the beauty lies within each one of us, no two sessions are ever the same.

I would imagine like every artist, creative, and or entrepreneur my biggest challenge has been to get out of my own way; out of my head and into my body. Yoga, breath and meditation have helped me ground and when I operate from this space, I am able to execute images that I feel proud of and that my clients love. I am grateful for the health and wellness community because they have supported me and my journey and have shaped me into person and photographer I am today.

My hope is that my voice shines through in each and every one of my images. Take a look at my new website (one of things I am literally the most proud of besides my new baby boy) and if my work speaks to you, please reach out I would love to make some beautiful images with you! Trust me, you are ready and the world is waiting!

Let’s say your best friend was visiting the area and you wanted to show them the best time ever. Where would you take them? Give us a little itinerary – say it was a week long trip, where would you eat, drink, visit, hang out, etc.
I would say hey best friend let’s go explore! To me, the best thing about LA is being outdoors and in nature so we would definitely start with hikes and beach time. Fave current hikes: Griffith Park and Temescal, Fave beaches: Point Dume, El Matador, and Leo Carrillo.

Next we would hit my current fave workout studios: Soulcycle, CAMP LA, and Modo Yoga.

Next we explore my fave museums: The Broad and LACMA.

Must eat in LA: Salt and Straw, Sidecar Donuts, Masa Pizza of Echo Park, Urth Cafe, Cafe Vida in Culver, Frida in Glendale, Home in Los Feliz, Elephante in Santa Monica, Gjelina in Venice, Scopa in Venice, and Red Bird in DTLA.

Must hang: any beach bars in Venice or Manhattan Beach.

Shoutout is all about shouting out others who you feel deserve additional recognition and exposure. Who would you like to shoutout?
When I arrived in LA 12 years ago, I had just graduated from grad school and was searching for the right job. There were so many bumps in the road and I was also dealing with anxiety. My first apartment was near Runyon so hiking became my solace. Then I start taking yoga and fell in love with it. I enrolled in a yoga teacher training and I finally landed in my body and learned that my breath is a powerful tool that can heal my body and mind. It was life-changing and empowering.

I want to dedicate this Shoutout to the health and wellness community in LA because without them I wouldn’t be who I am today.

Website: www.pena-photo.com

Instagram: @penaphotography