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

Lissette, looking forward to hearing all of your stories today. Have you been able to earn a full-time living from your creative work? If so, can you walk us through your journey and how you made it happen? Was it like that from day one? If not, what were some of the major steps and milestones and do you think you could have sped up the process somehow knowing what you know now?

Yes, I’ve been able to earn a full-time living from my creative work, but it definitely wasn’t like that from the start. In the beginning, I juggled other jobs while slowly building my portfolio and client base. Over time, I invested in my craft, honed my skills, and focused on building strong relationships with clients. Networking and word-of-mouth referrals were game-changers for me. Once I found my niche and started positioning myself as an expert, things really started to take off. If I could go back, I’d focus on valuing my work more and creating a clear strategy earlier—it would have sped things up. But honestly, the challenges along the way taught me lessons I wouldn’t trade for anything.

Lissette, 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?

Of course! My name is Lissette, and I’m a professional photographer with a deep passion for capturing meaningful, authentic moments. I specialize in working with families, from newborns and milestone sessions to extended family portraits and seasonal sessions. My journey into photography started as a love for documenting my own family’s memories, but it grew into something much bigger when I realized how much joy it brought to others.

My work goes beyond taking portraits; it’s about creating an experience that makes my clients feel seen, celebrated, and comfortable. Whether it’s helping a new mom feel confident during a newborn session or capturing the unique dynamics of a multigenerational family gathering, my goal is to create portraits that tell a story and hold timeless value.

What sets me apart is my commitment to making each session special and stress-free. I’m there to guide my clients every step of the way, from planning and wardrobe advice to designing heirloom-quality prints or albums they can treasure forever. I truly believe in the power of printed portraits and the emotional connection they bring to a space.

I’m proud of the relationships I’ve built with my clients—many of whom I’ve been lucky to photograph year after year. It’s an honor to document their lives and milestones, and knowing they trust me with their most precious moments means the world to me.

Ultimately, I want my clients to know that working with me is about more than just portraits—it’s about capturing memories in a way that feels effortless and genuine. My work is about connection, artistry, and creating something they’ll cherish for a lifetime.

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

A major lesson I had to unlearn was the idea that the key to success in my business was to offer low prices and high volume. Early on, I believed that the more affordable I made my sessions, the more clients I would attract, and the more I would be able to grow my business. I thought that keeping my prices low would make me more accessible and allow me to capture as many families and special moments as possible. But what I soon realized was that by undervaluing my work, I was not only limiting my potential income, but I was also missing the opportunity to create the elevated experience that my clients deserved.

The turning point came after I had been in business for a while, and I was feeling exhausted. I was doing a high volume of sessions, but my energy was drained, and I felt that the quality of my work was not reflecting the value I placed on it. I realized I wasn’t offering the personalized, high-touch experience that truly connects with my clients. I wasn’t creating memories that they could treasure for years to come; I was just offering photos, and the process felt rushed.

So, I started to reframe my approach. I recognized that I could give my clients so much more than just photos by taking the time to offer a curated experience that felt special. I began to price myself properly, not based on the volume of clients I could serve, but on the quality of the service I was providing. I worked on crafting more meaningful experiences that included pre-session consultations, personalized styling advice, and thoughtful products that my clients could hold and display. I also made sure to align my pricing with the amount of time and effort I dedicated to creating those perfect portraits and memories.

As I raised my prices, I also noticed that my clients started to value the experience more. They were willing to invest in capturing their most precious moments because they saw the care, attention, and expertise I brought to each session. The focus shifted from “how many” to “how well.” And honestly, I started feeling a deeper sense of fulfillment in my work. I was able to give my clients the experience they truly deserved while building a more sustainable, rewarding business for myself.

Unlearning that old mindset wasn’t easy, but once I did, everything changed for the better. It was a valuable reminder that the true value of my work isn’t in how many people I can serve, but in how deeply I can connect with and serve those who choose to work with me.

We’d love to hear a story of resilience from your journey.

Going through a divorce was one of the most difficult chapters of my life, and it tested my resilience in ways I never imagined. Not only was I dealing with the emotional upheaval of the divorce, but I also had to navigate rebuilding my personal life, my professional identity, and my business—all at the same time.

At the time, I was running my photography business and was incredibly passionate about what I did, but the personal challenges were taking a heavy toll on me. I remember feeling lost, overwhelmed, and uncertain about the future. I had to juggle the realities of being a single mom, supporting my children emotionally, and somehow keeping my business afloat while going through a major personal transition.

The toughest part was maintaining the balance between showing up for my clients with a positive, professional attitude and dealing with the emotional strain of my personal life. There were moments when I was exhausted and overwhelmed, and I had to remind myself that my clients were relying on me to create beautiful, meaningful portraits that would capture their special moments. But it wasn’t just about the work; it was about staying present for them while I was also processing everything going on in my own world.

During this time, I also realized that it was the perfect opportunity to rebrand myself—personally and professionally. I needed to shift my mindset, not just in terms of how I presented myself but also in how I approached my business. I took a hard look at where I was and where I wanted to go, and I started investing more in myself, both mentally and professionally. I made sure to take time for self-care, sought support when I needed it, and leaned on the relationships I had built with my clients for strength. They were incredibly understanding, and I found that many of them were going through their own personal journeys, so we connected on a deeper level.

Rebuilding my brand wasn’t just about updating my logo or tweaking my website. It was about embracing a new vision and showing my clients that I was more than just a photographer—I was a resilient woman who could create beautiful, lasting memories despite the challenges. I honed in on what made me stand out: my ability to connect with people, my genuine care for my clients, and my commitment to offering a personalized experience. I shifted my messaging to reflect a sense of strength and renewal and made sure I was offering my clients an experience that felt authentic and fulfilling.

It wasn’t an overnight transformation, but over time, my business began to grow again. The process of rebranding and re-establishing myself professionally helped me regain confidence in what I had to offer. It also reminded me of why I started my business in the first place—to create a space where families could capture moments that would last a lifetime.

Looking back, I can see that the resilience I built during that time was a huge part of what got me through. I learned to adapt, persevere, and trust that even in the most challenging times, there’s room for growth. Today, I’m not just a photographer; I’m someone who has walked through fire and come out stronger on the other side. It’s a reminder that no matter how tough life gets, we have the ability to rebuild and keep moving forward, one step at a time.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.lissette-g.com
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/lissette.gphotography/
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/lissette.gphotography
• Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/lissette-garza-732062305/

Image Credits

Edson Photo for the head shot and the image of me looking at the album, the rest are images from my portfolio.