cabane x studio em

ABOUT LIZ  

cabane.  

tell us a little bit about where you came from.. what has contributed to you being you? 

liz. 

I was born in Guadalajara, Jalisco, Mexico—the land of tequila and mariachi—and I’m super proud of my roots. Being from where I’m from has definitely shaped who I am today. Although I have lived outside of Mexico for over 10 years, I always dream of going back for good one day. My family consists of my husband, Fernando, our two children—Emma, who’s 3, and Thiago, who’s 1—and our dog, Quira. Since a very young age I was inspired by my father to travel and started traveling to other countries at age 17! I have lived in London UK, Wellington NZ, Playa del Carmen MX, Vancouver BC and Calgary AB.

cabane. 

i love to hear the names of your grandma & grandpa's as a little nod to your lineage..

liz. 

My maternal Grandparents: Ricardo & Maria de la Luz (Luzita), My paternal Grandparents: Luis & Luz del Carmen (Melita)

FUN BITS ABOUT LIZ 

cabane.

had you always dreamed of having a family? what do you love most that your role as a mother has grounded in you?

liz. 

I’ve always dreamed of having a family—I just knew I wanted kids. What I love most about being a mother is that it has inspired me to constantly work on myself. I want to be better for them, to grow and evolve so they can have the best version of me.

cabane. 

what have you let go of/released as a mother, only to find that you are better off or that it is okay to not ____...? a lesson from your children.

liz. 

One thing I’ve had to let go of as a mother is the constant doubt about our decision to raise our children away from our families. It’s been so hard to be parents without our family close by, and there are times when we’ve questioned whether we made the right choice. But I’m still learning to release that guilt and trust that we’re here for the right reasons—for our children to have better opportunities and for us to build the life we envisioned. It hasn’t been easy, but this journey has taught me resilience and the importance of focusing on what we’re building together as a family.

cabane. 

your children's names, how they came to be, what they mean to you. a children's name you had to leave on the table

liz. 

When we found out we were having a girl, I immediately knew I wanted to name her Emma. I just think it’s such a sweet name. Another important thing for me was that it’s spelled and pronounced the same in both English and Spanish! Haha.

With Thiago, it was trickier. I had a couple of names in mind, but my husband wasn’t really into them. We ended up naming him Thiago about a week after he was born, and it just felt right—I can’t imagine him with any other name. My husband picked the name because he loves soccer, and there are a few players named Thiago.

Fun story: he basically tried to convince me with almost every soccer player he knows! At one point before Thiago was born, he was even calling him Kanté, after another player! Haha. 

cabane. 

what experience do you hope to deliver to your children most?

liz. 

I hope to give my children a deep sense of love and belonging, while also helping them feel proud of their roots. Although they were born in Canada, they are also Mexican, and I want them to embrace both cultures. I hope they grow up feeling proud of our beautiful traditions, just as we do. I also want them to explore the world with curiosity and confidence, always knowing they have a strong foundation of family to come back to. Most importantly, I want them to feel loved and supported, knowing they can achieve anything they set their minds to.

CREATING THE CULTURE OF YOUR FAMILY

cabane. 

what is your philosophy for clothing your children?

liz. 

I prefer neutral, practical, and comfortable clothing. It keeps things simple, versatile, and ensures they can move freely.

cabane. 

what do you hope your children learn most from you? a blessing for the children

liz. 

I hope they learn the value of kindness, resilience, and our beautiful culture (Mexican). I want them to understand the importance of embracing who they are, being compassionate toward others, and finding joy in the little things.

cabane. 

tell us about a special family tradition or favourite past time together..

liz. 

I would say food is a tradition that always brings us together. It’s very important for us to sit down at the table and enjoy some delicious Mexican food (my family loves my cooking, thank goodness! Haha).

Another tradition we enjoy is going for walks or heading to the park before starting our bedtime routine. The kids love it, and we do too—because it helps tire them out! Haha. 

PHOTOGRAPHY

cabane.

tell us about your background in architecture and the emergence of your new craft/how your camera has become your new tool.

liz.

I’ve always had a deep love for design and photography. My focus is on creating spaces that feel simple, functional, and warm. My background in architecture has given me the tools to bring out the beauty in everyday spaces, while photography allows me to capture not only the essence of these spaces but also the people in them, bringing out the emotions and stories that make each moment and each place to feel unique.

Lately, my camera has become my favorite tool, a natural extension of my design background. Just like I used to design spaces, now I capture them—along with the people who live in them. Photography allows me to pause and frame a moment in time, whether it's a family laughing together or the light filtering through a beautifully designed space. It’s become a way for me to tell stories that connect spaces and the people who bring them to life.

cabane. 

what do you seek to bring through each shot?

liz. 

In every photograph, I aim to bring out authenticity and emotion. I want my images to reflect a sense of connection and purpose. I strive to capture not just what something looks like but how it feels.

cabane. 

creatively, what needs to be in place for you to feel expansive and flowing? 

liz. 

For me to truly feel in flow, I need calm and a sense of clarity. I love natural light, so shooting during the golden hours of the day brings out the best in me. Music can help too—I love music! It makes me feel happy. I also find that being in nature or working in spaces that feel open and uncluttered lets my creativity flow more freely. It's all about creating an environment where I can connect with the energy of the space or the people I'm photographing. 

cabane. 

do you have any offerings for individual's or brands who would like to book with you?

liz.

I currently offer photography sessions for Interior Design, Lifestyle and Branding. If you’d like to work together, I’d love to hear from you! You can book a session with me by reaching out to hello@studioem.ca or my Instagram accounts @studioem.ca or @atelierem_

thank you, liz!

october 2024. photography, liz tena. models, haley anne fox with her son and daughter, deacon and audrey