Meet Rochelle Perez | Professional Photographer

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

Hi Rochelle, how do you think about risk?
Risk taking has always been a huge part of my life as well as my career. I personally, feel like taking risks eventually turn into regrets if you don’t take them. I would not be where I am at right now if it wasn’t for taking risks. The first risk I took for my career was choosing to be a photographer. I am from a small mining town in New Mexico called Silver City, most people there tend to have small minded thinking. Photography is more looked at as a hobby rather than a career there. I never had that mindset though I knew from a young age I was a creative, and whatever I ended up doing involved a camera. At the age of twenty I found myself a college dropout as well as a single mom to two under two waiting tables at the M & a Bayard Cafe, and going through the motions of life. I knew something had to change if I wanted to give my children a better life. I had took a photography class during the time I did attend college, and knew in my heart that was the career I wanted to pursue. The feeling I get to this day when I am behind the lens is indescribable. Back then, I had two problems though. One, I didn’t have a camera, and two I had next to nothing knowledge in regards to photography . I was able to scrounge up enough money to purchase a used DSLR camera, and enroll into schooling for photography at The New York Institute of Photography in February of 2017. At that time I was working as the front desk clerk at the local newspaper company, The Silver City Daily Press and really wanted to get my foot in the door as a photographer and would jump at any opportunity I had to take a photo for their articles, It was usually after daycare hours, I would get those chances so you would see me at the high school games or somewhere in downtown with a camera in one hand and a baby in the other getting the “perfect shot.” My kids made me want to work that much harder to give them a better life. I was always practicing on them or my poor family as well. Working on them made me realize I was more into portrait photography rather than doing newspaper photography. Towards the end of my schooling I had to do an internship in order to graduate. At the time there were two photography studios in our town, the first one I reached out to wasn’t interested in doing an internship. The second, Deborah Van Tellingen ended up taking me in at her studio that summer as an intern, and showing me everything she knew from lighting to posing, we did it all. We grew close and I learned so much from her. I was finally able to start building up my own cliental by word of mouth, and social media. I still remember the feeling I got when I first booked a client who wasn’t a family member or friend. In December of 2018 I graduated and became a certified professional photographer, I had left the newspaper by that point and went back to waitressing. I was serving at two different restaurants in town, just to support my children. Now what? I needed a new goal, but what? It wasn’t until that next month Deborah shot me a text I wasn’t expecting, she told me she was moving out of state, and wanted to see if I was interested in taking over the studio. My answer was automatically no, and that was because I thought of all the what ifs of what could go wrong. Until one night after pulling a double shift I thought to myself is this what I want to be doing my whole life? If so, why did I even go to school for? I’ve always dreamt of opening up my own studio, and that is when I took the second big risk in my career, and in April of 2019 up opened Rochelle Perez Photography Studio. It was truly a dream come true and was one of the best days of my life. (besides the birth of both my children of course) I offered in studio and outdoor portrait sessions. I specialized in seniors, engagement, baby, and family portraits. I was able to quit one of my waitressing jobs but still had to keep one, waiting for the day I could quit and rely solely on my photography career, eventually that day came too, because my business really took off. I’ll never forget one of my customers at the restaurant telling me it was a terrible decision and my studio would only last a few months. If he is reading this sorry to break it to you but I had a successful time there for a little over two years. Those years were filled with meeting so many amazing people, and creating so many beautiful memories for my hometown, surrounding areas, and people from out of state came to see me as well. I was even able to travel to Dallas Texas thanks to my mentor Deborah, and furthered my education in photography which was great experience in itself. The studio and my clients were good to me and taught me a lot in that time, which I would have never known if I didn’t take the risk of believing in myself and taking the chance of opening my studio. A little after our second anniversary I then found myself wanting to venture out and the city was calling me. Like I said I’m from a small town and there is only so far up you can go there, I was ready to grow and ready for a positive change for me and my two children. So in July of 2021 I closed the doors to my studio one last time, took another risk. I packed up all our things and moved me and my kids to Chandler Arizona. There are so many possibilities out here, and much more opportunities. I am currently doing free lance photography and networking with other local photographers and models trying to make a name out here for my business. I also see my kids really excelling academically and athletically out here, they are so happy with this move. Life is all about risks, and taking chances if you never take them, you will never know what could be. If the risks I take today, in any way shape or form build the foundation to set my kids up for success than I would say all the risks I’ve taken are worth it. I’m happy I took them or else I definitely wouldn’t have this story to share.

Please tell us more about your work. We’d love to hear what sets you apart from others, what you are most proud of or excited about. How did you get to where you are today professionally. Was it easy? If not, how did you overcome the challenges? What are the lessons you’ve learned along the way. What do you want the world to know about you or your brand and story?
The art I create as a photographer is priceless. My clients are able to hold on to it forever and it freezes a certain milestone in their lives for years to come. I am always stressing how one day when our loved ones are no longer here, pictures are all we will have left, and it’s amazing to know my art can create that for them. I feel proud when people trust in me to capture those special moments for them, because it shows they trust my vision, and are allowing me to be apart of this beautiful process with them. I myself know no two people are the same, so I make sure to get to know my client before the session to see what vibe we are going for, I love meeting my clients beforehand whether it be over coffee or FaceTime and seeing what makes them unique. This also helps my client feel more comfortable with me and open up more for their session. It’s always so exciting going over the gallery with my clients and seeing tears of joy stream down there face, and I know in my heart than I did my what I came to do! The art I create can be created into canvases, albums or framed for all to admire. Getting where I am at today has been anything but easy. I started off as only an amateur, but I did what I had to do to gain the knowledge I needed to transition to professional. Being not only a mom, but a single mom made it harder, but it also made me work that much harder to give them a better life. Along the way I’ve learned is take risks, never think you know it all because there is always something to learn, and be sure to have fun. I would like the world to know that we need more people who believe in theirselves and follow their dreams, no matter how crazy at the time it seems. I followed mine, and it doesn’t ever feel like work because photography is what I love doing!

Any places to eat or things to do that you can share with our readers? If they have a friend visiting town, what are some spots they could take them to?
I am all about exploring this city, it is so full of life and things to do. An itinerary of a fun filled day for me and my best friend would go like this. Wake up and swing by Bergies Coffee Roast House in Downtown Gilbert to get your coffee fix to start the day, Bergies offers a beautiful outdoor courtyard filled with trees, right in the middle of the city. It gives off a very boho feel. Definitely bring my camera to snap some cute shots of me and my bestie for the first golden hour of the day. After coffee, go get ready, and head to brunch at The Hash Kitchen. They have the funnest spot for brunch, with a live DJ, disco ball, Bloody Mary bar, and instagrammable photo opps in every corner you turn. Their food is delicious as well. After brunch head to Tempe Marketplace to walk all those mimosas off, while getting some shopping done. As evening approaches go by the Pemberton in downtown Phoenix to unwind. They have shops, music, ice cream, and food for a little snack from all that walking. Take some more selfies with the bestie here. For dinner head to Ziggys Magic Pizza Shop for their delicious pizza, and go through the “freezer door” that leads to a secret room known as The Stardust Pinbar and dance the night away on their rainbow dance floor, and make sure to play some pinball.

The Shoutout series is all about recognizing that our success and where we are in life is at least somewhat thanks to the efforts, support, mentorship, love and encouragement of others. So is there someone that you want to dedicate your shoutout to?
I would definitely like to shoutout my dear family and friends, for believing in my dreams since day one of this journey. Always supporting the vision, especially helping me as a single mom take care of my kids through all of the long hours of working double, going to school and running my business. They never hesitated to assist me at photoshoots whether it be hauling my lights and equipment or acting as my secretary and keeping me company behind the scenes. I’d also like to give a huge shout out to my mentor, Deborah Van Tellingen, who is not only an amazing photographer, and took me under her wing to teach me, but has gone above and beyond to always make sure I have everything I need to succeed!

Instagram: @rochelleperezphotography

Facebook: Rochelle Perez Photography