Today we’d like to introduce you to Daisy Zavala.
Daisy, we appreciate you taking the time to share your story with us today. Where does your story begin?
Hi! My name is Daisy Zavala and I’m a Digital Creative. My creative roots go way back to when I was a kid, always drawn to art, always excited for art class. As I got older and started thinking about what kind of work I wanted to do, I found myself stepping in to help my family’s small tortilleria get up to speed with the digital age.
We didn’t have much of an online presence, so I picked up a camera and started documenting the store — our products, our people, our story. I launched our Instagram, got us on Google, and started creating consistent content to connect with the local community. That experience even led to the installation of two beautiful murals on our building. I managed everything from logistics to contracts, and got to see these big creative projects through from start to finish.
That’s where my love for social media, photography, and storytelling really bloomed. I realized how powerful it was to capture not just the big moments, but the everyday — the behind-the-scenes, the process, the people. That mix of creativity and community is what continues to inspire me today.
Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
It definitely hasn’t been a smooth road, but those challenges have shaped me in the best way. In the beginning, I didn’t have any formal training. I was figuring things out as I went — learning how to use a camera properly, how to tell a story visually, how to design something with intention. I made mistakes, but I learned something valuable from each one.
Imposter syndrome has been a constant companion at times. Coming from a nontraditional background, I’ve often questioned whether I belonged in creative spaces. But over time, I’ve learned to trust my eye, my instincts, and the unique perspective I bring to the work I do.
More recently, when I finally felt like I was settling into a position doing what I love, I found out my sweet cat, Sushi, was diagnosed with degenerative kidney disease. It was heartbreaking. Since then, I’ve been in a season where I’m not only working full time, but also freelancing, in order to support her care and give her the best quality of life I can. I’ve always wanted to grow and diversify my portfolio, and now I’m doing it with even more purpose. This experience has reminded me just how deeply my creativity is connected to love — for my family, my community, and for the little beings who mean everything to me.
Thanks for sharing that. So, maybe next you can tell us a bit more about your work?
I’m a digital creative who specializes in social media strategy, content creation, photography, and community-centered storytelling. I help businesses, nonprofits, and organizations show up online in ways that feel intentional, human, and connected. Whether it’s capturing everyday moments, building a cohesive visual identity, or developing content that supports a larger mission, I love telling stories that matter.
I’m known for my warm approach, my eye for detail, and my ability to make people feel comfortable in front of the camera. I bring care into everything I create — the kind of care that makes people feel seen, the kind that turns content into connection.
One of the things I’m most proud of is having my photography featured at the California Center for the Arts in my project Mi Niñez, Mi Cultura. That body of work was deeply personal to me, rooted in memory, culture, and the way childhood holds pieces of who we are. To see it displayed in that space, and to share it with others, reminded me why I do this work in the first place.
What sets me apart is my lived experience, my love for community, and my belief that creativity is a form of care. I don’t just want things to look good, I want them to feel like something. I want them to last.
What’s next?
When I think about the future, I just want to keep creating. I want to work with more people, more stories, more ideas — helping folks get their message out there in ways that feel real and thoughtful. I love that part of the work, when something clicks and it feels right.
I’m also really excited to grow in my photography. I want to take on shoots that are a little weird, a little magical, a little unexpected. I want to play, explore, and try things that don’t always make sense at first but still make you feel something.
And for me, personally, I’ve been dreaming up a photo project that feels raw and full of heart. I don’t know exactly what it is yet, but I know it’ll be honest. I want it to speak to something deeper — something tender, maybe even a little messy, but true.
Right now, I’m just letting the idea come together. I know it’ll find me when it’s ready.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.hikaricreative.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/hikaricreativeco/
Image Credits
Photos taken by Daisy Zavala (Me!)
