Today we’d like to introduce you to Niesha Fuentes.
Hi Niesha, please kick things off for us with an introduction to yourself and your story.
I started my business back in 2016, a couple years after I lost my first child, Carmelo (“Melo”). He was stillborn and photos were all I had left to remember him by. I turned my pain into passion.
In the photography realm itself, pretty much everything I’ve learned was self-taught. It’s taken lots of dedication, constructive criticism, ongoing education, and persistence to get where I am today.
Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
Of course, with anything, it’s not always a smooth road. We’ve all got a different journey and destination.
I’m socially awkward and have let fear and negative thoughts get in the way. That social anxiety has definitely slowed my journey down, but I’m finally at a good place to where I can do what works for me. This and lots of self-meditating has helped me feel more empowered.
Thanks for sharing that. So, maybe next you can tell us a bit more about your work?
I’m a lifetime photographer. I help clients throughout all lifespans document their memories in portraits they can proudly display. So I’m part wedding and portrait photographer. My vision is to really grow with my clients as they tell their stories. I think it’s sort of like grief. We live and grow, shedding old versions of ourselves. As a Houston children, senior, and family photographer — photos help capture that. It’s really a process.
Most recently, I’ve been doing Couture Children’s Photography (think Prince, Princess Minis, or Royalty-inspired). Where children in Houston are photographed in couture costumes and handmade gowns designed in America.
I’m most proud of seeing those clients from 5 years ago come back in for their next milestone. From child and toddler to tweens and seniors. One day they’re going to come back to the brand for weddings or family photos, and that’s pretty awesome. Building relationships with my clients mean a lot me. We get to see each other grow.
Additionally, I really try to focus on authenticity and diversity in both my personal and professional life. I saw all of these photo galleries where the portfolio looked like it was only a small selection of people, and I didn’t want mine to be that. Houston is a big metaphorical salad of various cultures and backgrounds —as a Houston wedding photographer, I want my work and business to reflect that.
Taking those core values and then using them to help clients feel comfortable, make me stand out as a Houston portrait photographer as well. I’m myself…and that’s all I can really be.
Is there a quality that you most attribute to your success?
I really enjoy learning and reading business and marketing news or articles. In my opinion, being a lifelong learner has helped me grow so fast. That and persistence 100%.
Contact Info:
- Email: niesha@nieshafuentes.com
- Website: https://nieshafuentes.com
- Instagram: https://instagram.com/niesha.fuentes
- Other: https://nieshafuentes.com/#subscribe
Image Credits
Niesha Fuentes
