Today we’d like to introduce you to Ximena Iniguez Becerril.
So, before we jump into specific questions about the business, why don’t you give us some details about you and your story.
I always had to move, either because of divorce or school or my father’s job. Different places in Mexico, China, Texas, California and the UK, and to be frank there is no place that I’ve liked better than the others. This constant change in the environment caused a side effect of noticing the insignificant and ignored allures of different places; what I missed about Mexico was the culture, the history and the humor that comes with the openness of people, what I missed about China was the rich history and advances in development, the food, and the passion for traditions, from Texas it was obviously the BBQ and the family feel of things, and well from California I miss almost everything from the weather to the food to the music to the beach. It sounds like I’m a bit of a nomad moving around so much but I have learned that I make my own home so let me say right here and right now, San Diego is my home, Mexico (yes the entire country) is my home, and after September the UK will become my new home. Most people go to San Diego and think that the only thing the city has to offer (photography wise) is the skyline and the beach and even though those are two things very much in my radar I also want to show people the rest of the city, not the tourist version but the San Diegan version. I try to do the same with Mexico, Canada, or any place I have the privileged opportunity to visit or live in. We sometimes get caught up in the touristy things, the things everyone else tells us are musts, I am guilty of that more than I’d like to admit. But the real beauty of a place is the small things we don’t notice. Photography granted me the chance to share my point of view of that same hidden charm. Photography to me is a chance to be in a place even if I am thousands of miles away and remember that feeling or that memory, it is an opportunity to experience something extraordinary in the middle of a lazy Sunday or Monday madness.
Great, 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?
Moving around was a big one. The word home wasn’t exactly in my vocabulary since I could never stay in one place long enough to lay down roots the way I would have liked. Things have been changing though, San Diego is my home, and Queretaro is my home. As the majority of the population, I was bullied for a while, it was either because of my weight, my height, nationality, femininity, my accent or lack thereof; I won’t lie, it all hurt. it made me feel insecure and like I would never be enough for anyone let alone myself. the constant doubting, anxiety insecurities and loneliness did heavily affect me for a while, but now I try to love my self regardless of that and accept me as well as the fact that those same things I was bullied for are the things that make me, me.
My family situation was never the best either, I do not have a memory before the age of 16 where I could genuinely count on someone. My dad was always working, mom was busy with her own things going on and the 8 year age gap with my brother at the time felt like a million years so we never talked about anything, He ended up moving to Canada for his undergraduate degree when I was 10 leaving me in a new city and well, a difficult situation between my parents. I feel like we could all do without all this judging and comparing, there are 7.7 billion people in the planet and if we all live our lives based off of others expectations, wishes or how they decide to live their own then we are wasting the one chance we get to live. The one chance we get to love each other, love others, love ourselves, the chance to laugh and to make friends, to learn and to experiment, there is only one chance to actually do something unique and extraordinary and us.
Please tell us about XIB Photography.
I used to work as an ESL tutor and a conversation group teacher, but as of five months ago, I dedicate myself to photography and my studies full time. I am currently finishing up my senior year of high school, already enrolled in a university in England. If it all goes well with this last semester, then I am on my way to study international development with a specialty in anthropology to eventually work for an NGO, I know some of you may think this has nothing to do with photography but let me explain.
The world is a small place and photography can remedy that, we have access to millions of photographs from all over the world in our phones and I want to be part of that. I want to be project leader/manager at an NGO one day and unite people and take them with me with photos; show the beauty and the rareness of different places. People are insignificant and showing our similarities in one moment, one feeling, and one circumstance would help that little girl sitting in her room wishing of the same things I did when I was younger. Equality for all, regardless of gender, religion, color, race or socio/economic class. The fact that we discriminate for things that not only are out of our control but also make us different and beautiful is ludicrous beyond verbal explanation. I believe that education is the basis of everything, that is my goal, to do my part and create equalitarian education opportunities regardless of bigotry. Once we move past absurd difference-based discrimination, then we will be able to tackle the real issues affecting the entire population. I hope my work with NGO, photography and writing help sustain that.
Often it feels as if the media, by and large, is only focused on the obstacles faced by women, but we feel it’s important to also look for the opportunities. In your view, are there opportunities that you see that women are particularly well positioned for?
Everything, women can and will do anything we set our minds to. We currently live in an exciting era where women are taking back their lives and creating their own opportunities. Nowadays, we have female police, writers, doctors, politicians, photographer, entrepreneurs and businesswomen, our opportunities are made by us. The women around the world are positioning themselves where they want to be and honestly, it is inspiring in ways I cannot verbally explain, especially for a young girl like me who is looking for mentors and inspiration everywhere I look.
Personally, I think one job that should include women is any governmental decision regarding our bodies and our lives. We see this especially in the US where politicians are making decisions on our behalf. I aspire to see a woman in the office soon and have the country with as many women as there are men in power so that decisions are made rationally and with the best interest of ALL of the population in mind.
Contact Info:
- Email: ximena23.ib@gmail.com
- Instagram: @xibphotography
- Facebook: Ximena Becerril
Image Credit:
Model #1: Naoli Chiñas Shamosh, Model #2: Ximena Gonzalez Lara
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