Today we’d like to introduce you to Umida.
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?
I’m originally from Uzbekistan. a beautiful country in Central Asia. My name is Umida, which translates to “hope,” and I was born in the city of Andijan. US is my home since 2013 where my journey as a portrait photographer began. It was a bumpy road full of life lessons and setbacks but I believe that everything happens for a reason. Today, I’m proud to be a small business owner with a community of loyal clients who value my creative vision. I get to see so many families grow, my customers become my closest friends. I have a beautiful daughter Nicole, she has a fire in her little soul, she inspires me everyday to be a better version of myself. My fiancé Christian is my constant source of support and guidance to achieving my biggest goals.
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?
When I first moved to the U.S., my main focus was to improve my English and find a steady source of income. I already spoke English fairly well, but living in an English-speaking country is very different from learning the language in a non-English environment.
For the first year and a half, I worked at an apparel store while building the confidence to pursue my true passion—photography. I had already received basic training and gained experience in Tashkent, Uzbekistan, but my goal was to be able to work with English-speaking clients and thrive in a new cultural setting.
My first photography job in the U.S. was at the JC Penney Portrait Studio in Fort Myers. That experience pushed me to grow quickly, especially during the hectic Christmas season, where I learned how to work under pressure and sharpen my skills.
One of the biggest challenges I faced was not being able to jump straight into working as an independent photographer. I had to pivot, stay patient, and keep moving forward—trusting that with time and perseverance, I would reach my goals.
Thanks – so what else should our readers know about Treasure Memories?
Treasure Memories is a photography company specializing in school and family studio sessions. Photographing children isn’t easy—they have short attention spans and rarely stay still, let alone pose on command! But that’s exactly what makes it so special. My goal is to capture genuine, candid moments and ensure that every session is a fun, stress-free experience for the little ones.
When it comes to school portraits, we truly stand out. I always aim for natural, unforced smiles—those real expressions that reflect a child’s unique personality. It means the world to me when parents reach out and tell me they teared up seeing their child’s portrait. As a mother myself, I understand how hard it can be to capture that perfect smile—the one you see every day—only to have it disappear the moment you pull out your phone. Instead, your little one gives you that “cheesy” grin we all know too well.
With over eight years of experience working with children, I’ve learned how to quickly connect with them, adjust my approach based on their age, and create an environment where those magical, authentic moments can naturally unfold.
We all have a different way of looking at and defining success. How do you define success?
To me, success is a feeling—that deep sense of fulfillment when you accomplish a goal you set for yourself, paired with the courage it took not to give up along the way.. A couple of years ago my best friend told me to “Celebrate little victories” and it really stuck with me. That simple reminder changed my perspective. Too often, we focus only on the big outcomes and overlook the small, meaningful steps it takes to get there. But every effort, every bit of progress, deserves to be acknowledged. Celebrating those moments not only keeps us motivated, it reminds us how far we’ve come!
Pricing:
- Family Session up to 4 people – $475
- Newborn Session – $575
Contact Info:
- Website: https://treasurememories.net/
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/treasure.memories/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Treasure.Memories.Orlando/
- Other: treasurememories04@gmail.com
