We recently connected with Victoria Mendoza and have shared our conversation below.

Alright, Victoria thanks for taking the time to share your stories and insights with us today. What were some of the most unexpected problems you’ve faced in your career and how did you resolve those issues?

My husband is in the military and while moves are inevitable, I underestimated the amount of work some of our quicker moves would require. We don’t typically get to pick where we move and the vast differences between cities across the country makes moving a location-based service business challenging. We moved from Georgia to Mississippi in July of 2023. In October of 2024, we were sent to Illinois for two months and then Little Rock. Our assignment here also has a short turnaround and we’ll be moving again before 2025 is up. Our move in 2023 also came with a new baby and the challenges of learning how to care for 3 children under three years old, while my husband worked an extremely demanding schedule. It was either a recipe for disaster or an opportunity for growth. There were a million reasons for my business to close, it certainly would have been the easier option. But I would have missed out on a lot of community and growth if I had done that. Not only did it give me the blessing of meeting incredible clients, but it allowed me to broaden my skills and learn new things.

It’s also helped me serve clients better, as I strive to provide a relaxed, stress-free, and enjoyable photography experience. I know exactly how it feels to juggle kids amidst moves, work, and just life! Though life gets hectic, it’s worth documenting and remembering. I don’t want my clients to let time pass and realize that they should have taken the photographs, even through the chaos of life with young children.

Awesome – so before we get into the rest of our questions, can you briefly introduce yourself to our readers.

I am a newborn and family photographer, but was previously an elementary school teacher. I absolutely adored my time in the classroom and that’s part of why I love photographing families with young children. I get to experience their innocence and energy again for a brief time! I love reassuring families that I am 100% comfortable with kids and can navigate their photos through any scenario.

I am blessed to be able to stay home with my three children and have a job that brings me such joy. At its core, photography is about so much more than a photo. Especially in the digital age we live in, it’s more than a new profile photo or a Christmas card that gets sent out once a year. It’s about honoring the beauty of your family and the treasure that their lives are. It’s about documenting all the magical moments you experience on the daily, mundane though they may seem. In fact, I think the mundane and ordinary moments are the most extraordinary. The way your baby giggles when you kiss their neck, the way your children sit on your lap and play games, the way you and your spouse catch each other laughing at the chaos that parenthood can sometimes be. Those memories captured in photographs only increase in value over time-it’s priceless and you’ll never regret them.

What do you find most rewarding about being a creative?

The authenticity that is captured is so unique to each family. My favorite thing is when someone opens their photos and tells me they can’t believe their family looks that beautiful and that they’re so glad they took the time to take them (I promise, you NEVER regret taking the photos!). Beyond wearing nice outfits and having a lovely location, the magic in photos is in the beauty of the family unit. I truly believe that families are the cornerstone of society. I hope to honor and celebrate that through photography. I know what my clients will want to remember forever because I am them! As I see my own family grow and marvel at the magic in my children, I take that to each session and place myself in the mother’s shoes. Being able to unveil the magic that’s already, knowing it will become someone’s favorite memory is a passion that keeps growing with time.

What’s been the best source of new clients for you?

Referrals! Although working on SEO is important for me, referrals from past clients are instrumental to my business. It’s also the biggest compliment to know that they loved their photos so much, they shared it with someone else.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://victoriamendozaphotography.com/
• Instagram: vmendozaphoto
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/vmendozaphoto/

Image Credits
Victoria Mendoza