We caught up with the brilliant and insightful Doreen Santos a few weeks ago and have shared our conversation below.

Alright, Doreen thanks for taking the time to share your stories and insights with us today. We’d love to hear about the things you feel your parents did right and how those things have impacted your career and life.

If I had to pick one thing that my parents did right was showing me the value of hard work. Both my parents have always worked growing up. I grew up the baby of four. We all have had jobs since our teens. Our parents taught us the value of hard work and responsibility. Even though we never went without I know now it wasnt always easy growing up. For them I am grateful for my work ethic today as I know it comes from them.

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

Hi, I’m Doreen, a single mom and a family photographer with a passion for turning life’s beautiful, fleeting moments into memories that last forever. My journey into photography began when I became a mom. As I watched my children grow, I realized how quickly time flies and how precious it is to capture those little moments—messy hair, big laughs, quiet cuddles.

Being a single mom has taught me so much about resilience, love, and the importance of preserving connections, and that deeply influences my work. I understand the chaos and beauty of family life, and I bring that perspective into every session.

About Me & My Journey

I specialize in family photography, including maternity, newborn, milestones, and everything in between. My goal is to create a safe, fun, and relaxed environment where your family can simply be. Whether it’s a quiet moment between siblings or the joy of everyone laughing together, I focus on capturing the real essence of your family.

As a single mom, I know how valuable it is to have photos that reflect your love and connection. My dream clients are families who cherish these moments—families who know it’s not about perfection but about preserving their story.

What sets me apart is my ability to empathize with and understand my clients. I know how overwhelming life can get, so I keep sessions stress-free and fun. I’m patient with the wiggliest kids and always ready to embrace the chaos. My clients often tell me that my sessions feel more like spending time with a friend than a formal photoshoot—and that’s exactly how I want it to be.

I’m most proud of the trust families place in me to capture their most precious moments. Whether it’s a single mom seeing herself and her child through a lens of love, or grandparents seeing the joy in their grandkids, those reactions make everything worth it.

Being a mom is a huge part of who I am, and it’s shaped the way I see and value family. I want potential clients to know that I’m here to celebrate your family, just as you are. Life isn’t perfect, but it’s beautiful—and that’s what I aim to capture.

If you’re looking for someone who will take the time to make your family feel comfortable, seen, and celebrated, I’d be honored to be your photographer.

Let’s talk about resilience next – do you have a story you can share with us?

In 2020, my world changed overnight when I became the sole provider for my family. As a single mom, the sudden loss of that extra income was daunting. But in the midst of uncertainty, I leaned into something that had always brought me joy—photography.

What started as a way to capture my kids’ everyday moments became the lifeline that allowed me to support them. I picked up my camera, not just for us, but for other families too, realizing the power of preserving memories even in hard times. Slowly but surely, photography became more than a passion; it became how I provided for my kids on my own.

Through it all, I learned that resilience isn’t about doing everything perfectly—it’s about showing up every day, even when it’s hard. My kids are my greatest motivation, and every session I shoot reminds me why I started: to create something meaningful not just for my family, but for others too.

We often hear about learning lessons – but just as important is unlearning lessons. Have you ever had to unlearn a lesson?

One of the biggest lessons I had to unlearn was the idea that asking for help or leaning on others was a sign of weakness. As a single mom, I felt this immense pressure to do it all—to be the perfect parent, the breadwinner, and everything in between. I thought if I didn’t have it all together, I was somehow failing my kids.

But in 2020, when I became the sole provider for my family, life forced me to reevaluate that mindset. There were days when juggling photography sessions, parenting, and managing the household felt impossible. At first, I hesitated to lean on my support system—friends, family, or even clients who understood my journey—because I thought I should handle it all myself.

Over time, I realized that resilience isn’t about doing everything alone; it’s about recognizing when you need help and being brave enough to ask for it. By letting go of that old belief, I found strength in my community and balance in my life. It’s made me a better mom and a better photographer because I’m no longer trying to pour from an empty cup.

Now, I approach every aspect of life with the understanding that it’s okay to need people—it’s how we grow and thrive.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.doreendeephotography.com
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/doreendeephotography

Image Credits

Doreen Dee Photography