Rena Zapata

filmmaking / photography /podcasting

Rena Zapata Bouchard is a talented makeup artist, photographer, and community-minded creative originally from San Antonio, Texas. She moved to Crookston, Minnesota, as a child in 1995 with her mother and sisters, building a life rooted in family and community. Above all, Rena is a devoted mother to two daughters, with a third child on the way—a role she embraces with love, care, and pride.

In 2016, Rena earned her Freelance Makeup Artist Certification and has since built a portfolio that includes private clients as well as runway work for Grand Forks Fashion Week with Affairs by Brittany. Her background in cosmetology provides a strong foundation for her makeup artistry, giving her a comprehensive understanding of style, color, and client care. Passionate about creativity and self-expression, she is particularly interested in exploring avant-garde makeup work in the future.

Rena is currently expanding her creative skill set through her involvement with In Progress, a program that offers education and collaborative opportunities in photography, storytelling, and digital media. She loves the chance to not only prepare clients for photoshoots with her makeup artistry but also step behind the camera to capture compelling portraits. For Rena, this journey is about continual learning, personal growth, and giving back to her community through art and connection.

QUAlifiCATIONS

Rena Zapata Bouchard is a certified freelance makeup artist with experience in private sessions and fashion events, including work for Grand Forks Fashion Week. Her cosmetology background enhances her artistry with a strong understanding of color theory, skin care, and client-focused service.

She is also developing skills in portraiture photography, learning to capture professional, expressive images that complement her makeup work. Rena brings strong organizational and leadership abilities to her creative practice, managing projects smoothly and fostering a collaborative, supportive environment. Her commitment to continuous learning and community engagement ensures she remains adaptable, innovative, and ready to grow as both an artist and a leader.

SKILLS

  • cinematic camera technique

  • drone operation

  • portraiture photography

  • dslr photography

  • adobe light room / adobe photoshop

  • podcasting

  • videography

  • community engagement

  • make up artistry

TEACHING / WORK EXPERIENCE

  • workshop artist for In Progress

  • program coordinator for In Progress

  • teaching artist for In Progress’s Waterer Program

  • teaching artist for In Progress’s Studio 110 Programming

  • producer and director of the regionally acclaimed film The Harvest

  • freelance artist and business owner

LINKS