Alright – so today we’ve got the honor of introducing you to Evelyn Toro. We think you’ll enjoy our conversation, we’ve shared it below.

Evelyn, looking forward to hearing all of your stories today. If you could go back in time do you wish you had started your business sooner or later?

If I could go back in time, I do think I would’ve started my business sooner… but I also believe with all my heart that God’s timing is perfect.

I officially launched my photography business in November of 2022. At the time, I was a stay-at-home mom, fully in the thick of raising little ones and figuring out who I was outside of just being “Mom.” What really sparked it all was my time serving on the creative team at our church. That season taught me so much about capturing moments with intention, creating with purpose, and showing up with heart. I had no idea at the time, but God was laying the foundation for what would eventually become this business I love so much.

Looking back, yes, I think if I had started earlier, I might be further along in some ways. Maybe more polished, more experienced, maybe even more “successful” by the world’s standards. But honestly, I think I started exactly when I was supposed to. If I had jumped in any earlier, I might have missed the lessons, the growth, and the grounding that came from the path I was already walking.

Still, I’ll admit, when I look at how much I love what I do now, it’s hard not to wish I had started sooner. Photography has become such a beautiful outlet for me, creatively, spiritually, emotionally. It’s connected me to the most amazing people and reminded me of the power of storytelling through images.

So yes, I might have wanted to start earlier… but truly, the timing was perfect. God knew exactly when my heart, my family, and my faith were ready for this. And for that, I’m so grateful.

Great, appreciate you sharing that with us. Before we ask you to share more of your insights, can you take a moment to introduce yourself and how you got to where you are today to our readers.

Of course! So I’m Evelyn Toro, the photographer behind Toro Photo Company. My husband Carlos and I run this business together here in Jacksonville, Florida. He’s more behind-the-scenes, but we’re very much a team. We’re both veterans, we’re a Christian-based business, and we’re also a very full, very busy family of seven, with four little ones under 7 and a dog named Leo who keeps things just as interesting!

When I first picked up a camera, I was capturing a little bit of everything for example families, portraits, whatever came my way. Eventually, I added a photo booth to our offerings, and started photographing events as well. Over time, I found myself being drawn more and more to weddings and celebrations. There’s something about the energy, the joy, the raw emotion of it all, it just pulled me in. Now, we focus solely on wedding and event photography (and offer photo booths as an optional add-on), and that shift really allowed me to dive deeper into what I do best.

What sets us apart, I think, is our heart for what we do. Yes, we want to deliver stunning images, but more than that, we want our couples and clients to feel something when they look at their photos. Not just what the day looked like, but what it felt like. I’m always paying attention to those quiet moments, the in-between glances, the happy tears, the loud laughter… those are the memories that matter most.

I’m incredibly proud of how far we’ve come, especially while raising a young family. We’ve built Toro Photo Company with so much intention, and it means the world to us when people choose us to capture such important milestones. Our faith plays a big role in how we show up… serving others with kindness, patience, and a sense of purpose in every session or event.

At the end of the day, we’re not just clicking a shutter, we’re documenting legacies. We want every client to feel seen, celebrated, and cared for. Whether it’s a wedding, a big birthday, or a once-in-a-lifetime event, we’re there to tell the story as beautifully and authentically as we can.

What’s been the most effective strategy for growing your clientele?

Honestly, the most effective strategy for growing our clientele has hands-down been referrals and word of mouth. There’s just nothing quite like someone you trust saying, “You have to book Toro Photo Company, they were amazing!” That kind of organic recommendation goes so much further than any ad ever could.

But the key to that kind of referral-based growth is giving an exceptional experience every single time. We pour so much into not just taking beautiful photos, but creating a fun, seamless, and memorable experience from the first inquiry to final gallery delivery. We stay super communicative, organized, and intentional so our clients feel supported and celebrated every step of the way. When people feel taken care of, they naturally want to share that experience with their friends and family and that’s exactly what’s helped us grow.

Another huge part of our growth has been networking events. Not just attending, but actually getting involved. We don’t go in to “sell” ourselves, we go in to serve, to connect, and to be present. I’ve met amazing planners, vendors, and clients through local women’s brunches, creative meetups, and styled shoots. Being in the room, showing up consistently, and supporting others has opened so many doors for us.

It’s really about building real relationships. When you show up with integrity and intention, people notice… and they remember you.

For you, what’s the most rewarding aspect of being a creative?

One of the most rewarding parts of being a creative for me is that moment right after I take a photo and show it to the client on the back of my camera—their reaction is everything. You can see it in their face. Sometimes it’s shock like “Wait, that’s me?!” Other times, it’s a moment of total silence because they’re already emotional. That instant connection to the memory we just captured—that’s why I do this.

At weddings especially, there are so many once-in-a-lifetime moments. I’ll never forget this one bride who did a first look with her dad. He turned around, saw her, and immediately broke down. She hugged him and whispered something, and he said “You look just like your mom did on her wedding day.” She had passed a few years earlier. After I showed the bride a quick shot of that moment, she just stood there holding my camera and started crying. She said, “I didn’t know how much I needed this photo until now.” That’s something that will stay with me forever.

Even at birthday parties or retirement celebrations, I’ve had clients message me after saying, “I didn’t get to soak in the day, but seeing these photos brought me right back.” It’s not just about pretty pictures—it’s about freezing time for people in the most meaningful way. Being the one who gets to hand someone a visual memory they’ll treasure for years to come… there’s nothing better than that.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://ToroPhoto.co
• Instagram: https://Www.instagram.com/ToroPhoto.Company
• Facebook: https://Www.Facebook.com/ToroPhotoCompany/

Image Credits

Photos taken by Kelsey Correa Photography
Photo Edited by Toro Photo Company