Today we’d like to introduce you to Yarelis Rojas.
Hi Yarelis, thanks for joining us today. We’d love for you to start by introducing yourself.
I am from the beautiful island of Puerto Rico but now reside in the sunshine state. I’ve been in love with photography since I was 8 yrs. old. Ever since I was a child, I always dreamed of being a photographer. At the age of 11, I moved to Florida, and my passion continued on. I would constantly practice with disposable cameras along with spending my afternoons studying photographs from National Geographic. I have always loved nature, and it was what I mostly photograph growing up. Once high school came around, I started practicing with portraits and events. I was taking pictures for the yearbook along with a few clubs. Once I graduated, I pursued college and kept doing my photography. Life took a couple of turns, and I became a young mom at the age of 19. I kept pursuing photography, but being a single young mom and not knowing much about running a business, I took a break from doing as many portraits for years. Still photographing nature on the side, I spent the next 15 yrs. working in retail. Two years ago, I started doing portraits more often, and I haven’t stopped since. At the begging of this year, I decided to start completely fresh with a new name (which is the perfect combination of my island roots and the sweet memories in the sun as well as the sunshine state), a new business model, and finally have my website which I dreamed of for so long. Not long after this, I was finally able to leave my job of 15yrs and work full time in my business. Today, I am extremely thankful to have taken that leap of faith. I get to do what I love the most, something I’m extremely passionate about.
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?
Life definitely has been challenging. I became a single mom when my child was 4 and therefore had to put my dreams on hold in order to provide. I didn’t really have the support I have today when trying to do this years ago. Financially it was always a struggle as a single mom early on, but no matter what, I kept pushing through. I’ve also suffered from some losses in my life, and that mentally and emotionally took a toll on me.
Thanks for sharing that. So, maybe next you can tell us a bit more about your work?
I am a photographer who specializes in playing with natural light and colors. I can make any rainy day a sunny one. I’ve been always told I have a good eye. I am very proud of the fact that I never gave up, and as the years went by, I kept growing as an artist and learning my own style. What sets me apart from others is the fact that I knew this is what I was going to do ever since I was a small child. I never gave up on my dreams. Something that also sets me apart is how I bring the natural light into a photograph and keep it as natural as possible yet very eye-catching and beautiful.
What matters most to you? Why?
Aside from my little family, which includes my son, fiancé, two cats, and two dogs, my business means the world to me. I wake up thinking about it, I go to sleep thinking about it. I am also very passionate about the environment and animals. I am a vegan and a big animal activist. I volunteer at the Pet Alliance in Sanford when I have a break and foster animals. I am also an ambassador for Paving the way, which is an amazing non-profit that educates and shines a light on child trafficking.
Contact Info:
- Website: www.Sunshinememoriesphotography.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/sunshinememoriesphotos
- Other: https://www.google.com/maps/place/Sunshine+Memories+Photography/@28.4372498,-82.707536,8z/data=!3m1!4b1!4m5!3m4!1s0x6fcaf105545c02dd:0x94d4f5e31c85abe4!8m2!3d28.439428!4d-81.5862261
