Meet Paloma Kruse | Wedding and Family Photographer

We had the good fortune of connecting with Paloma Kruse and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Paloma, can you walk us through the thought-process of starting your business?
I’ve been an entrepreneur for as log as I can remember. In the fourth grade, I sold personalized book marks. In the sixth grade, I made and sold handmade hair flowers and bows. The summer after eighth grade, I had an otter pop stand, and the list goes on. I got my first job at 14, and quickly realized that I didn’t like working for someone else. I knew I wanted be a business owner, and I enjoyed so many things, but didn’t have a genuine passion for any of them. That is, until my senior year of high school when I took a photography class as an elective. From there, I interned for my teacher who was a professional photographer, I moved to California for college and became a studio manager for another photographer, and I worked as the head photographer at a summer camp several years in a row. Through all of this, I knew that I loved photography, but I never saw it as something that could be a sustainable career since it was in an artistic field. Fast forward to December of 2019, my husband and I became pregnant with our first child. I was working as a pre-school teacher, and we decided right away that I would be a stay at home mom for our baby girl. I did that for just over a year and realized that not only was that not sustainable for my family financially, but to be honest I was going a little crazy being home all day with my toddler. I spoke to my family and my husband, and decided that now was the time to dive in to photography and so I did! I went into it full speed, really not expecting much, but in only seven months I have seen more success than I could have imagined when I was figuring out how to get my business off the ground last summer. It has brought me so much joy, and I am so blessed to be able to have a career that I love while also getting to spend my days at home with my daughter, where my only boss is her!

Alright, so let’s move onto what keeps you busy professionally?
I have a love for storytelling, as I’m sure most photographers do. This is something that can honestly be sooo difficult when you have a couple or family that feels awkward, or “un-photogenic”. I like to believe that what sets me apart from others is my ability to make people feel comfortable, and have a good time instead of just setting them up in front of the camera like mannequins. I want each photo shoot to feel like a date night, an exciting family activity, or like I’ve captured exactly how each moment felt on the best day of their life. I’m really proud to say that prompting my families and couples and sparking fun and genuine conversation is a specialty of mine! I’ve so far owned my own business for about 8 months, and it has taken a lot of time and hard work to still be in business and making a profit at this stage. I’m a full time stay at home mom, which means that after my daughter goes to sleep at night, I am a full time business owner as well as almost every weekend. My husband and family have been so supportive and given me so much help from assisting me on shoots, to watching my daughter while I work. I’ve had to learn a lot over the last few months about time management. In the beginning, I would get burnt out very quickly and I still struggle with that at times but I am learning that every free moment of my time doesn’t need to spent working, especially while my daughter (18 months) is at this stage of learning something new and fun every day! I hope to convey to everyone about my brand that I am here for YOU through every stage of life. For the family sessions that begin and end in chaos because of the kiddos, or the weddings that just can’t seem to stay on time. I’m a professional, but I’m your friend too!

If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?
For breakfast I would definitely take any visiting friends to the County Seat in downtown Prescott! They have the best brunch and drinks menu! Lunch would have to be at Casa Sanchez, the best Mexican restaurant in town, and dinner at my absolute favorite spot, Papas Italian restaurant! After a day of eating, we would have to stop by my favorite spot in town, Founding Fathers Collective. They have dozens of beers on tap for you to serve yourself and there is always something fun going on!

Shoutout is all about shouting out others who you feel deserve additional recognition and exposure. Who would you like to shoutout?
My shoutout goes to my husband! I’ve struggled for years with finding a career that I was passionate about, and he has always told me, “whatever it is, you will do great things.” When I decided to invest time and money into photography, he was so excited and supportive of me. He works full time during the week, and then is a full time dad on the weekend while I work and I’m so grateful for him!

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