Today we’d like to introduce you to Rhanda Crum.
Alright, so thank you so much for sharing your story and insight with our readers. To kick things off, can you tell us a bit about how you got started?
When I graduated highschool in 2012, I knew exactly what I wanted to do with the rest of my life. I am that type of person- calculated, determined, and motivated to succeed. I was going to be a nurse. I was going to make a difference in people’s lives, I was going to be the comforting smile my patients needed, I was going to have job-security, and I was going to be financially secure. Ever focused, I met every goal. I spent 10 years as a nurse helping older adults, incarcerated individuals, children, and neonatal patients. I genuinely loved it, no matter how much pressure or drama nursing brought to me, I could handle it. What I couldn’t handle was the pain and difficulty that infertility brought to me, especially as a NICU nurse. Every shift was equal parts beautiful and heartwrenching as me and my husband had to make difficult decisions and go through difficult procedures to get pregnant…. during COVID-19. Eventually after we grieved our infertility, we decided to explore adoption. When our son was born in 2022, I resolved in my heart that I would do everything I could to enjoy those first few years. I wanted to stay home and soak up motherhood and be the mother I always wanted to be. As someone who always contributed financially, I knew I wanted to find a way to make a few extra bucks but not have to do 12+ hour shifts and find childcare for my son. I always loved photography and my husband comes from a family of creatives who love photography and videography, so I wondered if starting a business was the way to go. My husband is my biggest support and a Grade A Golden Retriever Husband, so of course he pushed me to take it seriously and test the waters. That was almost a year ago, and I am having the best time as the owner of Moments, Dear Photography.
Can you talk to us a bit about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned along the way. Looking back would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?
Learning a craft is hard in itself. I had some experience with photography because of the blog photography I had done as a teenager and young adult. I also second-shot a couple of weddings with my in-laws early in our marriage. This helped give me some confidence behind the camera, but being The Person in charge of someone’s precious memories is so intimidating. As determined as I am, I definitely made time to learn everything I could before I even started thinking about charging for my services. The other thing that every photographer struggles with is marketing. I did so much research on how to market myself and was successful in the beginning by showing my personality and skill. I wanted my future clients in Houston to know that I’m down-to-earth, sarcastic, and overall joyful. I have an eye for design and detail and it motivates me creatively in my photogaphy. Every now and then I worry about marketing and exposure, but a beautiful thing I have learned is that if a client has a great experience, they will share with their people. That simple fact has led to my business growing a lot in its first year.
Appreciate you sharing that. What else should we know about what you do?
I am a family photographer in Houston that caters to graduation, family, in-home newborn, maternity, and milestone sessions. Currently I do not capture photography for elopements and weddings, but I plan to start offering services for small events like these toward the end of the year. I offer natural-light photography in locations all around Houston, but I also provide studio sessions in South Houston. Additionally, I am an ambassador for a beautiful company based in North Georgia called Jude&Jojos Photography (JJP) that provides storytelling sessions for children with varying special needs and families that are touched by foster care and adoption. I spent years working with this population of families (as a nurse) and have seen first-hand the struggles they face. JJP is made up of photographer moms in varying states who walk in these parent’s shoes and can understand the patience and dignity needed to make children with special needs feel safe and comfortable in front of the camera. All families deserve to have their memories captures- even if it means a photographer has to spend an extra 15 minutes in the session waiting for a child to trust them. Since I started this business, I have had the blessing to meet so many different people and hear so many inspiring stories. I am proud that my determination to keep working hard through discouragement and slow weeks has given birth to a company that is growing and making a difference in other’s lives in some way.
We’d love to hear about any fond memories you have from when you were growing up?
A favorite childhood memory of mine actually has to do with photography. I lost my dad to dementia about 3 years ago and he was always the Memory Keeper of the family. He had this Polaroid camera that we always loved to use as kids. Me and my sister would take turns sitting on his lap and having the other take a photo of us with Dad. After the picture came through, it was a big deal to be the one to write the date on the white section below. Me and my sister got into many fights over who was going to use the Sharpie to sign the date… Right after his death, it was hard looking at those childhood photos without crying. Seeing my dad’s face in those photos always made me emotional- I miss him. But now a few years later, my eyes are immediately drawn to the joy in my young face instead. My Dad was everything in that moment and you can tell. These moments that were captured on that simple Polaroid camera are memories that will sustain me for years to come. Capturing moments is such a powerful thing.
Pricing:
- 30 minute sessions are $100
- 1 hour sessions are $189
- 1.5 hour sessions are $249
- JJP prices are on the website
- Location fees are sometimes added if the chosen location is more than 30 miles from me. Clients are always given prices upfront before booking These prices are current as of 3/2026 but are due to be updated later this year.
Contact Info:
- Instagram: @MomentsDearPhotography
- Other: TikTok: @MomentsDearPhotography
Image Credits
All images belong to me. I did not submit any images from my client-work because I didn’t mean to invade their privacy. Many of my recent work is on my Instagram.
