We were lucky to catch up with Carolyn Arredondo recently and have shared our conversation below.

Carolyn, thanks for taking the time to share your stories with us today Can you open up about a risk you’ve taken – what it was like taking that risk, why you took the risk and how it turned out?

A lot of people think risks are about starting over—but for me, it was about expanding what I had already built. I had traveled the world with my camera, lived as a working photographer, and turned my art into a business.

But after I had my daughter—and after grieving the loss of my mom and grandmothers—I felt a pull to grow. I didn’t want to just take photos. I wanted to teach, lead, and create space for others.

So I went back to school as a parent, artist, and dreamer. It was hard. It was vulnerable. But it changed my life. Now I work in museums, run two creative businesses, and guide others through their own healing and creative journeys.

Sometimes the boldest risk isn’t starting something new—it’s returning to your purpose, but on a bigger scale.

As always, we appreciate you sharing your insights and we’ve got a few more questions for you, but before we get to all of that can you take a minute to introduce yourself and give our readers some of your back background and context?

I’m Carolyn Arredondo, a photographer, art educator, and creative strategist based in Los Angeles. My work lives at the intersection of storytelling, healing, and empowerment—with every photo, project, and collaboration rooted in emotion, identity, and faith.

I got my start early—around 10 years old—when photography became my escape and my form of expression. After the loss of my mom and both grandmothers, and becoming a mother myself, photography transformed into something deeper. It wasn’t just about capturing moments—it was about making space for grief, joy, transformation, and connection. I went back to school as a parent scholar and earned my degree in Art History with a minor in Art Education, and I’ve since worked in museum education, public programs, and nonprofit marketing—while also building my two creative businesses.

Loose Beauty Photography is where I document intimate experiences through the lens of grief, identity, and motherhood. My sessions are emotional, soulful, and honest—especially for women, mothers, and those navigating life transitions. I also offer creative portraits, milestone shoots, and headshots rooted in storytelling, not just aesthetics.

C A Media Inc. is my marketing and creative agency where I help nonprofits and mission-driven brands show up visually with confidence and clarity. Through social media strategies, brand storytelling, and visual content creation, I help my clients deepen connection and grow impact.

What sets me apart is the heart I bring into everything. I’m not here to just “get the shot” or meet the trend—I’m here to hold space, elevate stories, and co-create something meaningful. Whether I’m mentoring a young photographer, designing a social media campaign for a health nonprofit, or shooting an empowerment session for a new mama—I approach it all with intention.

I’m most proud of the fact that I’ve built a life and a career rooted in purpose. I didn’t take the traditional route, but I took the real one. And now, I get to help others feel seen—fully, beautifully, and truthfully.

I want people to know that my work is for those who crave depth. If you’re looking to feel something real, to reclaim your story, or to be seen through a lens of compassion and strength—I’m the woman behind the work who will hold that space for you.

We’d love to hear a story of resilience from your journey.

Resilience, for me, didn’t show up loud. It came in quiet moments—showing up for school when I hadn’t slept, wiping tears while editing photos, choosing to keep creating even when life felt like it was falling apart.

After losing my mom and grandmothers, I almost gave up on school altogether. Then I became a mother myself, and everything shifted. I was grieving and healing at the same time, trying to build a future for my daughter and myself. I went back to school, held internships, grew my businesses, and kept making art even when it felt impossible.

Resilience looked like creating beauty while sitting in pain. It looked like turning grief into storytelling, struggle into mentorship, and motherhood into motivation. That chapter of my life taught me that resilience isn’t just surviving—it’s showing up to shape your future with whatever tools you have.

Is there something you think non-creatives will struggle to understand about your journey as a creative?

One thing non-creatives often misunderstand is that our work isn’t just about visuals or products—it’s about emotional labor. When you’re a creative, especially one who works through themes like grief, identity, or motherhood, you’re pouring parts of yourself into every project.

It’s not just a job—it’s a calling. And that calling can be beautiful and exhausting. People see the final image, the polished brand, the curated Instagram post—but they don’t always see the hours of doubt, emotional processing, or unpaid labor that comes before the “share.”

It’s also hard to explain that the process is the product. That creativity isn’t linear. That a photoshoot, a lesson plan, or a rebrand isn’t just content—it’s care, storytelling, and energy woven into something real.

I’ve had to learn to value my time, my vision, and my voice—and to teach others to value it, too.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://bio.site/carolynarredondo
• Instagram: loosebeautyphotographer
• Linkedin: Carolynarredondo
• Youtube: @loosebeautyphotographer
• Other: Main website/ www.loosebeautyphotography.com

Image Credits

Francesca P