We’re excited to introduce you to the always interesting and insightful Iliasis Muniz. We hope you’ll enjoy our conversation with iliasis below.

Iliasis, appreciate you joining us today. If you’re open to it, can you talk to us about the best (or worst) investment you’ve made. What’s the backstory and the relevant context behind why you made the investment

One of the most impactful “investments” I’ve made in my career wasn’t financial, it was the decision to completely start over.

In my early 30s, I moved to Florida for about two years with the intention of rebuilding my life and photography business. I had moved once before from Puerto Rico to Texas at 15, so part me believed I could do it again just as seamlessly. But starting over at 30 is very different than starting over at 15. At 15, you adapt because you have to. At 30, you’re more aware, more established, and more rooted in who you are, so stepping into the unknown feels heavier.

I didn’t have a solid plan when I moved, just faith in myself and a desire for change. What I quickly learned is that rebuilding as an adult requires a different kind of resilience. It’s not just about finding clients, it’s about rebuilding community, trust, identity, and momentum. Making new connections, trying to find your place in a new market, and essentially reintroducing yourself to the world….it’s not for the weak.

At times, it truly felt like I was losing progress rather than gaining it. But that experience gave me something I wouldn’t have gotten any other way: clarity. It showed me how much I had truly built in Texas, not just in my business, but within myself and my community. Texas had become my foundation, my comfort, and my support in ways I hadn’t fully appreciated until I stepped away from it.

So while that move may not have been the most “successful” investment in a traditional sense, it was one of the most valuable. It taught me the importance of honoring your roots while still allowing yourself to evolve. It reminded me that growth doesn’t always look like forward motion. Sometimes it looks like stepping away, gaining perspective even in the messy, and coming back stronger and more grounded in reality.

I don’t regret taking that risk. In fact, I’m grateful for it. It helped me see my journey, my business, and my identity as a photographer with a deeper sense of appreciation and purpose.

Iliasis, love having you share your insights with us. Before we ask you more questions, maybe you can take a moment to introduce yourself to our readers who might have missed our earlier conversations?

I’m Iliasis Muniz, the owner and creative behind Iliasis Muniz Photography. My journey into photography didn’t start with a formal plan it started with a feeling.

In my early 20s, I was juggling three different jobs, trying to find my direction. One of those jobs was working as a sales rep at a local boutique called Isla/Rica on South Padre Island. One day, they asked me to step in and take photos of their clothing and even model for them. The moment I picked up the camera, something clicked. It didn’t feel like work. It felt natural, intuitive, and honestly… freeing. That was the moment I realized I had found something I could truly pour myself into.

What started as a simple opportunity quickly turned into a 14-year career and a business that has grown alongside me. Today, I specialize in family, lifestyle, and portrait photography, with a strong focus on creating meaningful, emotion-filled images. I offer everything from full sessions to seasonal minis like my summer beach sessions on South Padre Island, which have become a favorite for both locals and visiting families.

At the core of what I do is connection. Many people come into a session feeling awkward, unsure, or even overwhelmed, especially when it comes to being in front of the camera. I guide my clients through that. I create an environment where they can feel comfortable, seen, and genuinely themselves. The result isn’t just a “pretty picture” it’s a memory, a feeling, a moment frozen in time that they can come back to whenever they want.

What sets me apart is not just my experience, but my ability to read people and create space for authenticity. Photography, for me, is not about perfection, it’s about truth. It’s about capturing the in-between moments, the laughter, the quiet connections, the realness that God provides within us often goes unnoticed.

What I’m most proud of is the longevity of my business and the relationships I’ve built along the way. I’ve photographed families as they’ve grown, captured milestones, and been trusted with moments that can never be recreated. That trust means everything to me!

I also take pride in the fact that I built this business from the ground up. There was no blueprint just consistency, growth, and a willingness to keep showing up, even when things felt uncertain.

If there’s one thing I want people to know about me and my work, it’s this: I care deeply. I care about the experience, the details, and the people in front of my camera. You’re not just booking a session you’re investing in a moment, and I don’t take that lightly.

Can you open up about how you funded your business?

I didn’t start my business with money. I started it with resourcefulness, emotion, and drive. Like any random 20 year old would.

I borrowed my very first camera from a family member and began offering free sessions to anyone willing to get in front of my lens. I knew I needed practice more than profit in the beginning. Once I felt more confident, I started charging $50 per session nothing close to what the work was worth, but it allowed me to build momentum, experience, and belief in myself.

There was no investor, no savings plan, no big financial backing. My “capital” was my mindset. I was determined to figure it out, and I leaned heavily on free resources especially YouTube. I always joke that I’m a “YouTube University” graduate, but it’s the truth. I spent hours learning everything I could about photography, lighting, editing, and even the business side of things.

What I’ve learned is that when you don’t have financial capital, you have to build mental capital. Your willingness to learn, your consistency, and your ability to keep going when things feel uncertain that becomes your foundation.

Fourteen years later, I can look back and say that starting with nothing forced me to become everything I needed to be to grow.

Have any books or other resources had a big impact on you?

Absolutely nourishing my mind has become one of the most important investments I make in myself, especially as a business owner.

In the early days, my main resource was YouTube. That’s where I learned the technical side of photography and built my foundation. But as I’ve grown, especially now approaching 36, I’ve become much more intentional about what I consume mentally.

Books have played a huge role in shaping how I think, lead, and show up. A few that have stayed with me over the years include The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People by Stephen Covey, which helped me understand discipline and structure, and The Power of Your Subconscious Mind by Joseph Murphy, which shifted how I view mindset and belief.

I also love The Joy of Photography for creative inspiration, and I’m deeply inspired by I Am Diosa, especially as a Puerto Rican woman it connects to a part of me that goes beyond business and into identity and purpose.

Outside of books, I listen to podcasts and teachings from voices like Eckhart Tolle and Joe Dispenza. Their work has helped me stay grounded, present, and mentally strong. Especially during seasons of uncertainty.

As entrepreneurs, especially those of us who work alone, we have to be intentional about protecting our mental space. We don’t always have a team or close support system nearby, so what we feed our minds matters. Staying mentally clear, calm, and focused isn’t just personal it directly impacts how we run our business.

For me, growth isn’t just about skill, it’s about mindset. And that’s something I’ll continue investing in for the rest of my life.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://iliasismunizphotography.com
• Instagram: iliasismunizphotography
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/IliasisMuniz/
• Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/iliasis-muniz-76ab96236/