Rising Stars: Meet Rochelle Perez of Chandler

Today we’d like to introduce you to Rochelle Perez.

Hi Rochelle, can you start by introducing yourself? We’d love to learn more about how you got to where you are today.
My photography journey started in 2014. I was starting my second semester of college, still not quite sure what I wanted to do exactly. By chance, I had a photography class as an elective. From the second that class started, I knew it was the career I wanted to pursue! Around that same time, I found out I was expecting my firstborn. I had a daughter and named her Arielle. I had to choose between work and school. I ended up dropping out, so I was able to support her. That didn’t put my dreams on hold, though. I would do amateur shoots on her for fun with my cell phone, and eventually, I could save up enough for my first DSLR camera. It was an awesome feeling! Any chance I would get, I practice on her, then post the results on social media. Family and friends started asking if I could do their pictures as well! This gave me good practice to see what worked and what didn’t. Before I knew it, baby number two was on the way. I had a boy named Zaydrian. I worked as a classified ads clerk at the local newspaper company; wanting to broaden my photography experience, I started shooting the local high school games for them after work. I realized sports photography wasn’t my jam. I did, however, realize I loved people and photographing them. Giving them memories they can cherish forever and empowering them in the process. During this time, I was battling personal issues. Having two kids under two was a reality check. I hit rock bottom at this point. Struggling with postpartum depression, things between their father and me didn’t work out, so I found myself a newly single mom, and we became homeless in what felt like overnight. Not homeless like on the streets, thank God for my family that took us in at that time, but I knew I needed to do the best I could for my babies to give them a better life than this. This was when I enrolled at The New York Institute of Photography, working two server jobs. I got us an apartment; things were starting to turn around. Before completing school, I had to do an internship with another photographer. I am from a small town in New Mexico called Silver City. There weren’t many options for me to do an internship with. The few photographers I did reach out to were not interested. I started feeling hopeless again. That was until photographer Deborah Van Tellingen took me in at her studio. In the summer of 2018, I was there every week like a sponge taking in all she taught me. She was truly a blessing, and to this day, she is a dear friend/ mentor who I call my photographer mom! She holds a special place in my heart for giving me the knowledge and helping me build my business and grow! By the end of that year, I could graduate and certify as a professional photographer. Now what? I was at work one day and got a message from Deborah. She said she was moving to Texas and wanted to know if I was interested in taking over the studio; out of fear of uncertainty, I automatically said no. Then a few days later, I was working a double shift. I remember feeling so defeated, wiping down my last table before closing time and thinking I did not want to be doing this for the rest of my life. I messaged Deborah, “is it too late to take you up on that offer?” Then in April of 2019, up opened Rochelle Perez Photography Studio. It was a dream come true to have my babies and loved ones with me for that magical moment. I had my studio for a little over two years. So many fun photo shoots and wonderful memories happened under that roof. I was able to give up serving and focus solely on my photography. My family and friends supported my business, modeling for me, hyping me up to others, helping with my kids, carrying camera gear, and being there behind the scenes! They helped me more than they knew. Towards the middle of 2021, I had another call and decided to close up shop. It was time for a new start. We packed our bags and made Chandler, Arizona, our new home. The town I grew up in will always be home, but I wanted to show my kids there is more to life than what we have known and give them more opportunities. We have been here for over a year, and we absolutely love it! I hope to have a studio someday, but I know that will take time. For now, I am working on building my clientele and portfolio back up, putting together stylized shoots, attending workshops, and shooting as much as I can. I have discovered a new niche since being in restaurant and food photography. I also recently became an on-assignment photographer for Chandler City Lifestyle Magazine. I am excited to see what else God has in store for us and what doors of opportunity will continue to open; photography has seriously changed my and my kid’s life for the better. I’ve had the opportunity to travel to places I likely never would have because of it and meet some amazing people through it. It has helped me discover who I truly am and my purpose while on this Earth! Photography is my happy place!

Alright, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall, and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
Being a photographer has been anything but a smooth road! To this day, I struggle with things. Some of my struggles on this journey were staying motivated, especially through the hard times. There have been many instances I just wanted to give up on photography. Reasons have ranged from feeling like my work wasn’t good enough and feelings of discouragement when you aren’t getting the results you strived for; photography is so much more than just clicking a button. You have to be strong mentally and remain self-motivated! When I feel like giving up, I remember who is watching me and how far I have come.

Alright, so let’s switch gears a bit and talk business. What should we know about your work?
I am a portrait/ lifestyle photographer. I can shoot in the studio as well as on location. I have photographed everything from families, seniors, couples, sports, children, newborns, boudoir, weddings, editorial, maternity, food, business, restaurant, and magazine photography. I take my craft very seriously. When it comes to the portrait side of it, It is so much more than, say, cheese, and you’re done. I get to know my clients on a personal basis. I want to make sure their beautifully unique personalities are perfectly captured. I do this by finding out what’s important to them. Everyone’s story is different, and I want it to be told through their photos. My art allows me to freeze time on special milestones in people’s lives. I am set apart from others because it is more than just business to me. I genuinely care about everyone who has stood on the other side of my lens.

What do you like best about our city? What do you like least?
I have been coming to Phoenix since I was twelve and have loved it. First off, the weather! The rest of the year is worth it if you can survive those brutal summer months. I love all the opportunities out here. It motivates me to step out of my comfort zone. I love the desert scenery that surrounds us, especially for my photoshoots. Lastly, I love the food and coffee scene out here. I am a foodie, so I always look forward to finding hidden gems! The heat and crazy drivers are probably the things in this city I could care less for.

Contact Info:

• Instagram: rochelleperezphotography
• Facebook: rochelleperezphotography

Image Credits
Moriah Holland