We caught up with the brilliant and insightful Carolina De La Hoz a few weeks ago and have shared our conversation below.

Carolina, looking forward to hearing all of your stories today. 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?

Absolutely — I’m so much happier as a business owner. My path to this point was anything but straightforward. Before I picked the canvas life; I received my Bachelors degree in Criminal Justice and spent eight years working for the federal and state government. On paper, it was a stable career. But the reality was very different. My last two jobs were managed by people who didn’t look out for one another — I experienced unprofessional leaders, corruption, and dishonesty. It drained my energy, my health declined and it made me feel like I was losing myself one day at a time. The career I always dreamed of was killing me a day at a time. Not because of the work, but because of the environment and lack of honor the workforce had.

When the lockdowns hit, I leaned into painting and photography as I’ve always been artistic and it quickly grew into something more. Once I finally decided to leave my government job, I gave myself permission to put my heart into my business and see where my passion could take me. It was scary, and the risk is real, but every single day that I’ve been able to build my brand — my way — feels like a gift.

Do I ever think about going back to a “regular” job? Honestly, no. Every bit of time and freedom I lost before has shaped my decision to stay the course. Being my own boss allows me to set my own standards, create my own work culture, and serve my clients with honesty, love, and the professionalism they deserve. I’ve been able to work with actors, high ranking establishments, and families from all over. I lean on my faith every step of the way, trusting that Jesus is carrying me through each season. That combination of freedom, creativity, and purpose is something I wouldn’t trade for anything.

Carolina, before we move on to more of these sorts of questions, can you take some time to bring our readers up to speed on you and what you do?

Sure! I’m Carolina — the heart behind Carolina’s Canvas. I’m a photographer, painter, and former criminal justice professional who took a leap of faith to follow my passion. My journey into this creative world began when I was a child really and during COVID as a hobby that quickly evolved into something much more meaningful. I discovered that what I love most is preserving fleeting, beautiful moments — whether they’re captured with my camera or with my brush on canvas.

Today, I specialize in portrait sessions, headshots, weddings and bespoke murals or fine art paintings. What sets my work apart is my commitment to creating art that feels personal, genuine, and timeless. Really caring about the client and going that extra mile. Every client is more than a subject — they’re part of the creative process. I believe a great photograph is a collaboration that freezes a special moment or emotion in time forever. Every painting is hand crafted to evoke feeling and is made with Gallery grade materials that are sure to stand the test of time.

I’m most proud of the way my business lets me be myself and give my clients a heartfelt experience — one that celebrates beauty, authenticity, and connection. I’m literally creating a memory that will outlive even them. On my website, I offer different photography packages and you can shop my original paintings or even order high-resolution photos and prints from your sessions. Whether it’s a portrait session, mural, or a custom painting, my passion is to give you something you can enjoy for years to come— and that, to me, is what Carolina’s Canvas is all about.

Can you talk to us about manufacturing? How’d you figure it all out? We’d love to hear the story.

When it comes to my paintings, I create everything myself — I don’t outsource my craft. I’ve been painting for as long as I can remember, so I already had a strong foundation and a good sense of the materials and techniques that produce the most enduring, beautiful pieces. Every painting is created on a top-quality, gallery-grade canvas, using Golden Acrylic Paints — some of the most vibrant and long-lasting paints available — then sealed with a protective varnish and professionally installed hardware so they’re ready to hang the moment they arrive.

As for my photography work, I like to say that my clients and I manufacture the product together. They bring their personalities, style, and stories, and I help capture those elements to craft the perfect portrait. Every image is hand-retouched by me so I can control every detail — color, lighting, tone — to ensure my clients receive a polished, heartfelt work of art. I also offer high-resolution digital files and printed photos that my clients can download or order directly through my website.

The biggest lesson I’ve learned along the way is to never cut corners on quality. Whether it’s the paints I use or the care I put into editing each image, I believe in putting my heart into every piece so my clients receive work that they’ll treasure forever.

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

In my opinion the best way to get guaranteed clients will always be word of mouth. Why? because who is someone going to trust more, a stranger selling their own product, or their cousin raving about the couples shoot she got with her fiancé on instagram? My guess would be the cousin showing you the photos she got taken last week by a photographer she personally contacted. As long as I always treat my clients with love, respect and aim to make them happy; I know I’ll always have someone vouching for me on the other end.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://carolinascanvas.com
• Instagram: carolinas_canvas
• Other: https://linktr.ee/carolinascanvas

Image Credits

All images taken by Carolina’s Canvas. All artwork painted by Carolina’s Canvas.