Today we’d like to introduce you to Cecealia Burns.
Cecealia, we appreciate you taking the time to share your story with us today. Where does your story begin?
My story has really been about growth, trying new things, and learning that I don’t have to put myself in just one box.
I’ve been with the University of Houston-Downtown for more than 12 years, and what makes that journey special to me is that I actually started there as a student employee. Over time, I was able to grow into different roles, gain new experiences, and really discover how much I enjoy helping students and supporting their development. Today, I work in Human Resources as the Coordinator of Student Employment, where I help students through the hiring process, work closely with hiring managers, and create resources and programs that help students get more out of their campus employment experience.
One of the things I’m most proud of is helping develop our Student Employee Orientation program. It started as a way to make sure students understood the basics of working on campus, but it grew into something much bigger. We now focus on professionalism, transferable skills, workplace success, career development, and helping students see that even a campus job can be part of their bigger career story. That work has opened doors for me to present, connect with other professionals in student employment, and continue growing in my own career. Receiving UHD’s 2026 Student Success Impact Award was especially meaningful to me because student success has always been at the heart of the work I do.
Outside of my professional career, I’ve always been a creative person. I love photography, events, storytelling, and finding ways to create memorable experiences for people. That passion eventually turned into Event Pics LLC. Building the business has taught me so much about entrepreneurship, branding, customer service, and just having the courage to put something of my own out into the world.
Another creative outlet that means a lot to me is Soul Sistas Pod with Cece & Bri. The podcast gives us a space to have real conversations about motherhood, friendship, identity, personal growth, and some of the thoughts and experiences women have but may not always say out loud. I enjoy being able to connect with people through honest conversation and hopefully make someone listening feel like, “Okay, I’m not the only one who has felt this way.”
I wear a lot of hats. I’m a wife, a mom, a professional, an entrepreneur, a creative, and someone who is still figuring things out and growing along the way. I think for a long time I felt like I had to choose one thing or have everything perfectly planned before I could move forward. I’ve learned that sometimes you just have to start, trust what you bring to the table, and allow yourself to grow into the next version of who you’re becoming.
Right now, I really feel like I’m in a season of owning all of those different parts of myself and being more intentional about sharing my work, my creativity, and my story.
I’m sure it wasn’t obstacle-free, but would you say the journey has been fairly smooth so far?
Finding my way to where I am now has not always been easy. As a first-generation college student trying to navigate school, work, life, and adulthood, I definitely hit some roadblocks along the way.
I grew up with the mindset that I could do everything on my own, and because of that, I faced a lot of struggles that I now realize I probably didn’t have to go through alone. But looking back, I also understand that those experiences were part of my journey. They taught me lessons I needed to learn and helped shape me into the woman I am today.
As I’ve grown, one of the biggest things I’ve learned is the importance of creating meaningful connections. Those relationships have shown me that it’s okay to ask for help, guidance, and support. You don’t have to have all of the answers, and you don’t have to navigate every season of life by yourself.
I truly believe people are placed in our lives for a reason and can be a blessing to us in ways we may not recognize at first. The support, encouragement, and lessons I’ve received from others have also taught me how important it is to show up for people in return. I want to be the kind of person who shares what I’ve learned, opens doors when I can, and helps someone else feel a little less alone while they’re finding their own way.
Thanks for sharing that. So, maybe next you can tell us a bit more about your business?
Event Pics LLC was created with one goal in mind: to provide more than just a service—we want to create an experience for our clients.
My husband and I started the business after planning our own wedding. During that process, we realized just how many different vendors it can take to bring one event together and how overwhelming that can feel. We started thinking about how helpful it would be to have a company that could offer multiple event services while also making the experience feel personal, comfortable, and stress-free. That idea became Event Pics LLC.
We are still a fairly new small business, but we specialize in a variety of event services, including event photography, photo booth experiences, our 360 photo booth, and balloon décor. Whether someone is planning a birthday party, wedding, baby shower, corporate event, graduation, or another special occasion, our goal is to help them create something that feels memorable and true to their vision.
What really sets us apart is the reason we started the business in the first place. We want our clients to feel like family. We take the time to listen, understand what they are trying to create, and figure out how we can help bring that vision to life. For us, it is not just about showing up, taking pictures, or setting up a photo booth. It is about being part of the experience and making sure our clients feel supported throughout the process.
I’m especially proud that Event Pics LLC continues to grow and evolve. Every event teaches us something new, and we have been able to expand our services while continuing to build a brand that reflects creativity, connection, and great customer service.
Ultimately, I want people to know that when they work with Event Pics LLC, they are working with people who genuinely care about their event. We know how much time, energy, and emotion can go into planning special moments, and we want to make the process a little easier while helping create memories that our clients and their guests can enjoy long after the event is over.
We all have a different way of looking at and defining success. How do you define success?
I define success by how what you create, offer, or contribute makes someone feel. To me, success goes beyond numbers, recognition, or accomplishments—it is about the impact you leave on people.
When you create a positive experience for someone, that feeling does not stop with them. They carry it with them, share it with the people they are connected to, and often pass that same energy forward.
For me, success is knowing that something I created, a service I provided, or simply the way I showed up for someone made a meaningful difference. That type of impact can continue far beyond the moment itself, and that is what makes it meaningful to me.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://eventpicsllc.pixieset.com/
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/eventpicsllc/
