Rose “Photobombshell” Mercado on Life, Lessons & Legacy

Rose “Photobombshell” Mercado shared their story and experiences with us recently and you can find our conversation below.

Rose “Photobombshell”, really appreciate you sharing your stories and insights with us. The world would have so much more understanding and empathy if we all were a bit more open about our stories and how they have helped shaped our journey and worldview. Let’s jump in with a fun one: Are you walking a path—or wandering?
I honestly believe in this life, there is no designated path or plan. We’re all wandering if you really think about it, and sometimes that wandering leads us to things we love, creating a path to fulfillment. For much of my life, I chose the opportunities that came my way, sometimes to a successful end that ultimately made me unhappy, for example, working in formal education systems. I’ve learned over time that the wandering will happen even when you are on a path… and the wandering should be examined because you will always seek joy. For me, that was music and media, and no matter where I found myself professionally, I was creating and immersing myself in the creative when I was off the clock, until I decided it was ok to be myself, love what I love, and make things I love the vehicle for making money. So, I no longer believe in walking a path. There is magic in wandering.

Can you briefly introduce yourself and share what makes you or your brand unique?
I’m Rose Mercado, but most people know me as Photobombshell, a name that’s stuck with me since I first landed on social media with a camera and a dream. At my core, I’m a storyteller. In my day-to-day, I’m often confused with an AI agent because of the meticulous nature of my work in operations in creative spaces. My work with Little Engine Media and our platforms, PLLRS, Milfshake, and more, aims to spotlight voices, movements, and moments that deserve amplification. What makes my work unique is that it lives at the intersection of culture, community, and creativity. Whether I’m behind the camera, curating conversations, or building systems and platforms, my goal is always the same: to make sure real stories are seen, felt, and remembered. Right now, I’m leaning deeper into content production and brand storytelling, helping brands and individuals not only share their narratives but own them in a way that connects with audiences on a human level through podcasting, digital marketing, and unique brand experiences.

Appreciate your sharing that. Let’s talk about your life, growing up and some of topics and learnings around that. Who saw you clearly before you could see yourself?
Honestly, the people who saw me clearly before I saw myself were the ones who recognized my light at times when I was only focused on my grind. I think of mentors, close friends, and even strangers who would stop me and say, “You’re doing something bigger than you realize.” Maybe it’s the Millennial curse of imposter syndrome, or maybe it’s humility, but I always saw myself as “just Rose,” and it hasn’t been until the last 5 years that I’ve come to understand that “just Rose” is A LOT. At first, I didn’t fully understand what people would mean when they pointed out exceptionality or being impressed. I was just moving, creating, producing, telling stories. My best friends and business partners have helped me to recognize that what I bring to the table isn’t just skill, it’s vision, and more importantly, the ability to execute vision at a high level, consistently. They saw the impact of my work and my voice long before I could articulate it myself, and that permitted me to stand fully in who I am today.

What did suffering teach you that success never could?
Suffering is never something I’d wish on anyone, but I’ve learned that it’s often unavoidable. Growing up in poverty meant I faced challenges early on that left lasting physical, social, and even financial impacts. But out of those struggles came a strength that shaped who I am today. I built resilience; the ability to face setbacks, missteps, and disappointments without letting them define me. Instead of seeing them as tragedies, I’ve learned to treat them as temporary inconveniences. Life is a balance of wins and losses, and resilience has taught me to live in that middle ground with grace, strength, and perspective.

So a lot of these questions go deep, but if you are open to it, we’ve got a few more questions that we’d love to get your take on. Is the public version of you the real you?
love this question. The short answer is: yes and no. As someone who’s public-facing but deeply values privacy, the version of me you see is absolutely real. I genuinely love connecting with people, celebrating wins, sharing parts of my journey, and doing exciting work with my teams. But, like anyone else, there are parts of me that don’t make it into the public eye. I’m not always “on”—sometimes I’m quiet, introspective, or just plain boring, and that side isn’t as visible because, honestly, it doesn’t need to be. So yes, the public me is real, but it’s just one layer of who I am. There’s always more beneath the surface.

Okay, so let’s keep going with one more question that means a lot to us: What is the story you hope people tell about you when you’re gone?
I want people to remember that I made shit shake. That I didn’t just exist in the room; I shifted the energy, I built things that mattered, and I left people feeling seen and inspired. My story shouldn’t just be about the work I created, but about the way I moved through the world: with passion, intention, and love. I want folks to say helped to open doors, to celebrate voices that deserved the spotlight, and to make sure the world was documented in a way that felt real. But beyond all of that, I want to be remembered as a good human being, someone who poured into others, who loved deeply, and who left this place better than I found it.

Contact Info:

Image Credits
Boomtown FM
1139Views – David Choute
Little Engine Media
Reg Calixte

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