Cinematic storytelling for brands, spaces & communities with soul.

I'm Dena, a Bay Area visual storyteller focused on culture, place and human connection through photography, editorial storytelling and creative direction.

I believe creativity is fundamentally human.

In a culture increasingly optimized for speed, automation and endless content, I'm interested in the things that remain tactile, memorable and deeply felt. My work explores the intersection of design, community and memory, creating stories for brands, spaces and experiences that feel both intentional and deeply human.

What makes my perspective unique is the path that shaped it. For nearly two decades, I've built across creative work, technology, community building and entrepreneurship. From pioneering Today at Apple as Emeryville's first Creative Pro for Art & Design to leading teams at Pinterest, Cruise and Alphabet's Wing, I've learned how to balance intuition with execution, artistry with strategy, and storytelling with real-world impact.

The work I'm most drawn to explores atmosphere, place, craftsmanship, belonging and the beauty of everyday life. My practice spans photography, editorial storytelling, experiential concepts and cultural documentation. Whether I'm creating content for a brand, documenting a community gathering, exploring a landscape or developing a creative campaign, the goal is always the same: to create work that people genuinely feel.

Today, I partner with brands, spaces and communities to tell more human stories rooted in texture, presence and connection. The best stories don't just capture attention. They create a sense of belonging. That's the work I'm interested in making.

Selected experience includes Apple, Pinterest, Cruise, Wing and Oaklandish.