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

Geronima, thanks for taking the time to share your stories with us today Alright – so having the idea is one thing, but going from idea to execution is where countless people drop the ball. Can you talk to us about your journey from idea to execution?

I started my photography business back in 2021, and honestly, I had no idea what I was doing — just a camera, a dream, and a gut feeling that I needed to start somewhere.

From the beginning, I was drawn to maternity photography. There’s something so powerful about that season of life — the glow, the anticipation, the quiet strength of motherhood. I knew I wanted to capture that. So, I decided to do a free model call to build my portfolio.

I picked Mercer Botanic Gardens in Houston — one of my favorite places — because it’s full of color, light, and life. But as the day of the shoot got closer, I remember feeling completely terrified. I had never really worked with strangers before; all my “clients” up until that point had been family or friends who already knew me. This was my first time reaching out to someone I didn’t know, directing them, posing them, and trying to make them comfortable — all while pretending I wasn’t nervous.

That day at Mercer Botanic Gardens, I must have checked my camera settings a hundred times before she arrived. Not going to lie, my hands were both shaking and sweating a little. But the moment I started shooting, something clicked — not just my camera, but me. The nerves melted away, and I found myself completely absorbed in capturing that moment intime, frozen in place.

When I got home and started looking through the photos, I remember thinking, “This is it. This is what I’m meant to do.”

Looking back, that first shoot taught me so much — not just about photography, but about people, confidence, and stepping outside my comfort zone. I had to learn everything from scratch: how to communicate with clients, how to direct poses, how to edit, how to deliver galleries, and how to make the whole experience feel special.

Those first steps were messy, awkward, and full of trial and error — but they were also thrilling. I learned that running a business isn’t about having all the answers from the start; it’s about having the courage to begin.

That one free model call turned into referrals, then bookings, then repeat clients who trusted me to capture their most meaningful milestones. And just like that, what started as an idea in a Houston garden became the foundation for a business built on connection, emotion, and storytelling through my lens.

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?

Hi, I’m your Local Houston Photographer, Geronima. But many people know or call me GERO for short. I specialize in family and maternity photography. I started my business in 2021, inspired by my love for capturing real, emotional moments that tell a story. What began as a free model call at Mercer Botanic Gardens quickly grew into a full-fledged business built on trust, creativity, and connection.

I help clients preserve meaningful moments — from the glow of pregnancy to family milestones — in a way that feels natural, joyful, and authentic. What sets me apart is my focus on both technical skill and making people feel comfortable in front of the camera, so every photo capture real emotion, not just posed smiles.

I’m most proud of the relationships I’ve built and the memories I’ve helped families preserve. For anyone booking a session with me, my goal is simple: to create beautiful, timeless images and a stress-free experience that you’ll cherish forever.

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

When I first started my photography business, I believed everything had to be perfect before I could put myself out there. Meaning that I just had to have the perfect portfolio, the perfect gear, the perfect editing. I delayed bookings and overthought every shot. I strongly believe this was imposter syndrome and I did not even notice it.

After going back to my Photography and Photoshop journals from High School, I began to think to myself, “No one knew how to do this from the first try. It took practice and lots of patience to get it right.” — And that stuck to me. Little by little I started promoting and booking clients and the clients loved the photos because of the emotion and connection, not perfection. I realized I had to unlearn the idea that perfection equals value. Since then, I’ve focused on showing up, learning, and creating meaningful experiences — and that mindset has made all the difference in my business.

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

For me, the most rewarding part of being a photographer is capturing moments that people will treasure forever. And lately, I have been getting so many new clients and when they fill out those questionnaires and share that this is their first family session or maternity or solo session for themselves and they say, “You made me want to book because of how great you photographed that family or that expecting mom”, I am just ecstatic and grateful that indeed I am delivering in my job and using this talent God has giving me to express myself through my lens and give that to my clients.

There’s nothing like reading or seeing a client’s reaction when they see their photos — those 5 exclamations marked texts or emails, the smiles, the tears, the memories coming to life. Knowing that I’ve helped preserve a fleeting moment, a feeling, a story, and that it will be cherished for years, is what makes all the hard work, long hours, and challenges completely worth it.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://geronimasgenuinephotography.mypixieset.com/
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/geronima.genuinephotography
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/geronimasgenuinephotography
• Other: https://www.tiktok.com/@geronima.genuinep