Today we’d like to introduce you to Milly Vadi Rios.
Hi Milly, please kick things off for us with an introduction to yourself and your story.
I never imagined that I would be here today, calling myself a photographer and starting my own business. I actually went to school for Social Work and received my Bachelor’s Degree in December 2012. I began my career in child welfare in child protective services in 2013. Working in this area has been difficult and very stressful. I spent most nights away from my own family and out in the community investigating cases of child abuse. I never saw myself doing anything else other than working in this field.
My interest in photography began in 2019. I was engaged and planning a destination elopement with a photographer in California. I was so impressed with the work of this photographer and I wondered if this was something I could do as well. That same year, when I returned home from eloping in beautiful Yosemite National Park, my husband surprised me by gifting me a Sony camera. I began learning everything I could about my camera. I was never someone to spend a lot of time on Youtube but this was my go to place to learn everything and anything I could possibly learn about photography. I spent a lot of time practicing everything I was learning by photographing my own children and offering photoshoots to friends and coworkers.
What started as curiosity quickly became my passion, and I was good at it! So, fast forward to today and I now own Milly Vadi Photography, LLC. I quit my social work job because I knew it was time to focus on my own family, my health, and my business. I want to give my clients all of me as their photographer and I knew becoming a full-timer would help me ensure my clients have a fun and easy going process when booking me as their photographer.
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?
It has definitely not been a smooth road. I started Milly Vadi Photography, LLC in the beginning of a pandemic. While witnessed people losing their jobs and businesses to this pandemic, here I was creating a business. I also found out I was pregnant with my 4th child shortly after registering as an LLC. So here I was, newly married, soon to be mother of four and full-time social worker also becoming a photographer and running a business. Yes, call me crazy because it still sounds so crazy to me. So I say it again, it has not been a smooth road, but it’s been a wonderful journey so far. I have learned so much in such a short time and I have had to conquer many fears. Creating a business from the ground up takes a lot of work and motivation. I have second-guessed myself a lot because it is all new to me. I am my own worst critic. I have asked myself many times, am I good enough? What if I fail? What if no one books me? What if others don’t like my work? But with all these questions comes the part where I tell myself, I will not fail. Seeing my client’s reactions to their photos when I deliver their galleries brings me joy and the courage I need to continue to move forward in this journey despite any trials and tribulations.
Alright, so let’s switch gears a bit and talk business. What should we know about your work?
While I have done a little bit of everything, family, maternity, newborn and senior photography sessions, I am currently transitioning into engagement/couples and wedding photography. My journey began when I was planning my own elopement and hired a wedding photographer in California. For this reason, now that I am a full-time photographer, I want to specialize in what got me interested in photography in the first place, the love between two people and their desire to spend the rest of their lives together. I truly believe the most important part of a wedding is the photography. Because this means having the constant memory of your special day frozen for you to have forever. To share with your family, children, grandchildren and beyond. These photos are your legacy.
So maybe we end on discussing what matters most to you and why?
Family is what matters the most to me. My children and my husband are so important to me. Spending quality time with them and being able to give them more of my time means the world to me. That is something I couldn’t always do before when I was working in my old job. I also treat my clients as family. I want to give them a unique experience in which they feel comfortable and welcome. I want all of my clients to walk away from a session with me feeling like they gained a lifelong friend.
Contact Info:
- Email: millyvadiphotography@gmail.com
- Website: www.millyvadiphotography.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/millyvadiphotography
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/millyvadiphotography
- Other: https://www.pinterest.com/millyvadiphotography
