Born and raised in El Paso, Texas, Denise's creative journey began in her sophomore year of high school after taking a black and white film photography class and learning to develop and print her own work.
The oldest of four siblings — her first muses — her early photographs earned recognition from peers and mentors alike, and were published in local magazines and newspapers.
After graduating with a degree in International Relations and living abroad for two years, she moved to Los Angeles to study directing at USC's School of Cinematic Arts and Joan Scheckel's Filmmaking Labs. She has since worked across nearly every discipline in film production — as director, actor, producer, editor, and colorist.
Becoming a mother opened an unexpected new chapter. Knowing firsthand how exhausting and isolating the postpartum experience can be, Denise is drawn to photographing new mothers in those raw, unguarded moments — believing that the beauty of bringing new life into the world deserves to be witnessed and remembered.
She lives in Los Angeles with her husband and son.