heaven Hernandez

photographer / filmmaker / activist

photographer / filmmaker / activist

BIOGRAPHY

Heaven Hernandez is a digital storyteller, teaching artist, and community leader based in Crookston, Minnesota. Raised within the creative environment of the Fresh Voices program at In Progress, Heaven’s introduction to photography and filmmaking began almost from birth—learning alongside her father, Felipe Hernandez, a longtime program mentor and site coordinator. From a young age, she absorbed the tools and language of visual storytelling, developing a keen eye for capturing the personal and cultural narratives that surround her.

As a young adult, Heaven has evolved from student to leader, now working as an experienced teaching artist who mentors and trains emerging youth artists in digital photography and video production. Since 2015, she has served as an integral part of In Progress's teaching team, helping to design and deliver workshops that encourage self-expression, technical growth, and cultural pride among young people in her community.

Deeply rooted in her family and hometown, Heaven creates multimedia work that celebrates everyday moments and elevates the stories of those often left out of mainstream narratives. Her work reflects a blend of technical skill, personal vision, and a deep understanding of the power of storytelling to strengthen communities. She continues to grow as an artist, mentor, and advocate for youth leadership through the arts.

QUALIfiCATIONS

Heaven is skilled in DSLR camera operation, with a strong foundation in composition, lighting, and portrait techniques. She has hands-on experience in video planning, production, and editing, including storyboarding, filming, and post-production processes. Her digital media expertise includes working with software such as Adobe Photoshop for image editing and Final Cut Pro for video editing. She also has a solid grasp of digital media vocabulary and aesthetic principles, which she incorporates into her teaching and creative projects. With over two years of peer mentoring experience, Heaven is adept at guiding others through creative processes and fostering confidence in young artists.

skills

  • DSLR photo camera operation & technique

  • video planning & production techniques

  • digital media vocabulary and aesthetics

  • Adobe Photoshop

  • Final Cut Pro

  • 2 years peer mentoring experience

links