Life & Work with Lorena Rodriguez

Today we’d like to introduce you to Lorena Rodriguez.

Lorena, we appreciate you taking the time to share your story with us today. Where does your story begin?
After the birth of my son, I knew I wanted more time with him to be present with him as he grew. I arranged my corporate work schedule to arrive very early in the morning to have the afternoons and evenings together with my son. This worked well until I was expecting our daughter which is when I decided to leave my corporate job.

Because of my children, I have learned to take joy in seeing others’ happiness, to move slowly, and to savor moments that I might otherwise miss. When my daughter was born, I decided to try my hand at taking my daughter’s newborn photos. Spoiler alert… it did not go well! I still had a lot to learn, but even though they aren’t perfect, my daughter loves to see those early photos I captured of her, marveling at her tiny features and celebrating how big she has grown.

Without that first session with my little girl, I never would have known how much I loved capturing newborns. Because of my children, I became determined to grow as an artist to give all mothers and their children heirloom images to share for generations to come. I built my photography business with a mother’s love in mind. Here, in my studio, I want families to feel welcome and comfortable; to rest and be pampered.

These photos are a celebration of your motherhood journey. Images that tell the love story that you share with your children.

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?
Starting a new business has not been a smooth road for me.

I have had my many shares of schools of hard knocks over the years. There have been many sleepless nights learning about posing techniques, lighting, fine art editing, newborn safety courses, and much, much more. All while still being a full-time mom to my small kids and keeping up with their activities.

Not to mention navigating the challenges during COVID while still trying to maintain and grow a business.

Appreciate you sharing that. What else should we know about what you do?
I am a service-minded legacy photographer specializing in maternity and newborn photos, I am drawn to authentic relationships and the enduring bond between mothers and their babies.

As a mother myself, I know firsthand the importance of preserving the early moments of motherhood and have experienced both hiring a photographer and trying to capture my own newborn session prior to becoming a professional photographer. Because of this experience, I have regrets over not having artwork made of my baby girl while she was still small. I want to make sure other mothers don’t live with the same regrets.

Mothers trust me to make smart, thoughtful decisions that will positively impact their photography experience. They know they will be welcomed into my studio and treated to a warm, inviting, and relaxed experience. I am organized and approach sessions with a customized plan. I pride myself on creating images that are unique to each family I serve.

My over planning and attention to detail ensures a stress-free experience for tired mothers. My favorite moments are when mothers feel beautiful and embrace their changing bodies. I also love the quieting and slowing that happens during a newborn session. When a client relaxes and rests while I work with her baby, I know I have created a nurturing experience for them. My desire is for new mothers to feel loved, supported, and cared for through every step of our portrait session together.

Relationships are essential to me and my love language is quality time and acts of service. My love for my clients shows how I serve my families by being timely and intentional during their photo sessions. Taking care of mothers is the background story of my brand, and I look for opportunities to love each mother I serve.

I have carefully curated a styling closet filled with flattering dresses for mothers-to-be, and hair and makeup services to ensure they feel beautiful and pampered throughout the photo experience. I have a well-stocked studio with a variety of backdrops, wraps, and props so that each family can customize their newborn session so that it reflects the personality and flair of their family.

I have also invested in quality products because I want my clients to feel the luxury of being cared for while creating artwork for their homes.

Do you have any advice for those just starting out?
As my business grew, I have had to go back and revisit the business foundation I originally put in place to make sure they were still supporting my business goals. This included processes such as bookkeeping, marketing, updates to the website, etc.

As your business grows it’s ok to make changes to your processes as there is no one size fits all approach when it comes to running a business. My one piece of advice to a new business owner would be: Don’t be encumbered by your first steps, be ok with your business evolving and growing, and find new ways to better help support your business.

Also, don’t be afraid to reach out to the community of established business owners and ask for advice. I will forever be humbled and grateful to the many mentors I have had through the years who have helped me get to the place where I am now.

Contact Info:

• Email: [email protected]
• Website: https://littlelegaciesstudio.com/
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/little.legacies.studio/
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Little.Legacies.Studio
• Youtube: https://youtu.be/sqOJCsYE-CQ
• Yelp: https://www.yelp.com/biz/little-legacies-studio-phoenix-2