We were lucky to catch up with Carolina Montes recently and have shared our conversation below.

Carolina , thanks for joining us, excited to have you contributing your stories and insights. Being a business owner can be really hard sometimes. It’s rewarding, but most business owners we’ve spoken sometimes think about what it would have been like to have had a regular job instead. Have you ever wondered that yourself? Maybe you can talk to us about a time when you felt this way?

Yes, I am very happy as a photographer and studio owner. However, it is not easy to be a creative entrepreneur. There are months that are slow and others where you just can’t keep up. It is truly a roller-coaster. For example, the summer months in Florida are very slow because family routines have changed with kids out of school, the weather is terrible, and most families go on vacation. Summer months are tough! There were moments where I would think, maybe I should do a part time job, but I would quickly talk myself out of it because I would rather invest that time in my business. Instead, I decided to rent my studio to other creatives. This resulted in passive income that helped me greatly during the summer. Other photographers used the studio as they ran away of rain and hot weather. This made me so happy because not only was I brining in a new form of income, I was also helping the creative community in Orlando by giving them a space to create. When you build a business, you really need to be committed to it and in it for the right reasons. For me, there is no Plan B. I am 100% confident this is what I want to do and this is what I am meant to do. I am meant to share my gift with families and business owners. I have failed many times, I fail on a weekly, daily basis, but I learn, dust myself off, and get back up. I believe it is having this certainty and clarity on who I want to be, that gives me the resilience to keep going. You have to be comfortable being uncomfortable.

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

I’m Caro, a marketing geek with an entrepreneurial spirit and a big heart for rising stars and next-gen industry leaders.

I’m your creative ally in all things branding and photography, from crafting a cohesive visual aesthetic for your social media platforms to creating captivating content that amplifies your online presence.

I see you; I’ve walked more than a mile in your shoes. Before stepping into the beautiful world of photography, I spent years in the corridors of a marketing agency, serving as a VP. I worked with brands big and small, but something about the journey of emerging businesses fascinated me.

I saw the spark in their eyes and the passion in their hearts. But, I also saw them needing help navigating the marketing landscape and often being overshadowed by the bigger players. This just didn’t sit right with me. I saw their hearts, potential, and zest for making their business work and knew they deserved more guidance and attention.

So, I swapped my corporate hat for a camera! With 8 years of professional photography experience, a Master’s in Marketing and Entrepreneurship, and a Bachelor’s in Psychology, I have a unique blend of skills to make a difference. My background in psychology allows me to understand and connect with my clients on a deeper level, ensuring that their brand truly represents their identity. Together, we create not just images but narratives that reflect the heart and soul of their brand.

I’ve gone through the process of planning a personal branding session for my own business, thinking about the strategy, outfits, props, and locations – I know how overwhelming it can be. It’s hard to find someone who gets it!

Don’t let my savvy corporate marketing skills fool you… beneath my eagle-like strategy, you’ll discover a heart that’s just a big, squishy marshmallow. I thrive on genuine connections, authenticity, and warmth, and there’s nothing more rewarding than sharing in the triumphs of our entrepreneurs. It’s this eagle-eye-meets-marshmallow blend that makes our collaboration truly special!

Ultimately, it’s all about helping you express your unique brand in a way that feels authentic, resonates with your audience, and propels your business to greatness. Together, we’ll make sure your brand shines brightly online and beyond!

Are there any books, videos or other content that you feel have meaningfully impacted your thinking?

I love this question! I love books! I spend so much time reading and listening to audiobooks. The following list of books, I have read multiple times and are my favorite: 1) Storybrand by Donald Miller
2) How to Grow your Small Business by Donald Miller
3) Traffic Secrets by Russel Brunson
4) Radical Candor by Kim Scott.
5) Start with Why by Simon Sinkek
6) Extreme Ownership by Jocko Willink and Leif Babin.
7) Dare to lead by Brene Brown
8) How to Win the Sport of Business by Mark Cuban
9) Atomic Habits by James Clear
10) The Power of Broke by Daymond John

What’s the most rewarding aspect of being a creative in your experience?

There are so many rewarding aspects… I could write a whole list. But if I had to pick one… it is to see how a client first comes to me telling me they are “not photogenic”, “do not know how to pose”, or “do not like photos”, and then that completely gets thrown out the window the moment they shoot with me, haha. I create an experience that makes them feel comfortable, confident, and beautiful. I love delivering the galleries and hearing, “OMGGGG I LOOOVEE THEM!!! THANK YOU SO MUCH!!!!”. I am honored that my creations get hung on their walls or published on their website and social media.

Contact Info:

• Website: caromontes.com
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/caromontphotography/
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/caromontphotography/
• Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/montescarolina/
• Other: https://www.tiktok.com/@caromontphotography

Image Credits
I am the photographer of all the photos: Caro Mont Photography In the picture of the art work, is artist Ana Carmona, from Acrica Art In the picture with santa, is Andrea Betancourt, @andipositiva on IG The photo of the studio, that is my studio and the photo behind the scenes that is me and my assistant making kids smile