Rose Shotz shared their story and experiences with us recently and you can find our conversation below.
Rose, a huge thanks to you for investing the time to share your wisdom with those who are seeking it. We think it’s so important for us to share stories with our neighbors, friends and community because knowledge multiples when we share with each other. Let’s jump in: What are you most proud of building — that nobody sees?
I’ve been building a world, a community, not just a brand that speaks to people’s dignity, softness, and identity. The part that nobody sees is the hours spent researching, moodboarding, and reflecting on how to make someone feel seen in front of my lens. That emotional infrastructure is invisible, but it’s the reason my portraits feel like memories instead of just photos. Most people see Rose Shotz as a photography business, but behind the scenes, I’ve built an ecosystem from the client experience to the creative direction that’s rooted in care and intention. Nobody sees the emails, the chats with ChatGPT, the sleepless nights, or the personal sacrifices it takes to keep the art pure and the business sustainable. But that is the backbone of it all.
Can you briefly introduce yourself and share what makes you or your brand unique?
I am Rose Shotz, a fine art photographer with a focus on portraiture and storytelling. I create spaces where people can feel seen and celebrated. What sets my work apart is the emotional connection, my goal isn’t just to capture someone’s image, but their essence.
My brand, The Garden, represents growth through imperfection, beauty found in what’s been weathered. Right now, I’m pouring my energy into my personal magazine, The Garden, a publication that honors identity, artistry, and the creative spirit.
I started this journey in 2019, but it wasn’t until 2022 that I began taking it seriously, building not just a business, but a community that blends professionalism with intimacy.
Each project, from client sessions to my magazine, is crafted with intention, storytelling, and a commitment to legacy. I want my work to outlive trends and speak to something eternal; the human spirit. I explore the beauty in vulnerability, showing that even in imperfection, there is grace. That’s what makes my brand unique, not just the images themselves, but the experience behind them. Every session is designed to help people see themselves with new eyes, to rediscover who they are.
Okay, so here’s a deep one: Who saw you clearly before you could see yourself?
My mom, my fellow Leo, saw me clearly before I could see myself. This woman raised me to be a king, a jack of all trades, and to always lead with humility. My hustle, my skill, my sense of purpose, all of that comes from her. She taught me determination, self-reliance, and the drive to keep improving in every aspect of life. Everything I am, both as an artist and as a man, started with her.
When did you stop hiding your pain and start using it as power?
I stopped hiding my pain when I realized silence was killing me more than the memories ever could. I grew up watching my parents’ marriage fall apart, and that taught me early how fragile love and stability can be. In high school, I was sexually harassed twice in the same week, once by someone who was supposed to be a male role model, and once by a male manager at my job. Then in college, it happened again, by someone in leadership, someone I was supposed to trust as a mentor.
During that time, I wasn’t into photography yet. I was just trying to survive. I felt stripped of my manhood, like I couldn’t trust anyone. I blamed myself for being too open, too trusting, for wanting to see good in people who didn’t deserve that grace.
But somehow, all that pain, all the confusion led me to photography. It became my form of therapy, my voice, my way to write stories. Every time I pick up my camera, I’m not just creating an image, I’m rebuilding and rewriting. I’m learning to connect, to trust, and to turn pain into purpose. Photography saved me from disappearing into silence.
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. What would your closest friends say really matters to you?
My friends would say what matters most to me is my name. My name is all I have, it’s my brand, my legacy, my reputation. I treat it like a luxury label because it represents quality, integrity, and trust. I go above and beyond to connect, to network, and to offer more than just a service, I offer reliability.
I take pride in being the bridge that connects people. Just by being genuine and showing up as myself, I’ve been able to create opportunities and build community. I want my name to hold weight, not out of ego, but because it stands for something real. I’m not chasing fame; I’m building notoriety. Fame fades fast, but notoriety comes from consistency, respect, and the impact you leave behind. That’s what I want my name to carry.
Okay, we’ve made it essentially to the end. One last question before you go. What do you think people will most misunderstand about your legacy?
I think what people might misunderstand about my legacy is my presence. Some see me as stand-offish or nonchalant, but that couldn’t be further from the truth. What they don’t see is the anxiety behind it, the constant awareness of how I’m coming across, the fear of saying or doing the wrong thing. I care deeply about how people experience me. I want my first impression to be a good one. I want people to feel comfortable, not threatened.
The truth is, my distance sometimes comes from wanting to protect both myself and others. I never want to be misunderstood or taken advantage of, but I also never want to make anyone feel unseen. Photography became the way I learned to speak, it’s how I communicate, how I connect, how I socialize. I want my work to do the talking for me.
My legacy, I hope, reflects that balance that even in my quiet moments, everything I do comes from intention, respect, and heart.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.thetorngarden.com
- Instagram: @Rose.Shotz
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