Meet Laura Gonzalez

We’re excited to introduce you to the always interesting and insightful Laura Gonzalez. We hope you’ll enjoy our conversation with Laura below.

Hi Laura, really appreciate you opening up about a very personal topic with the hopes that it can help someone out there who might be going through it. What can you share with us about your journey with postpartum depression and how you overcame PPD? For readers, please note this is not medical advice, we are not doctors, you should always consult professionals for advice and that this is merely one person sharing their story and experience.

I don’t think I even realized that I was in the thick of Postpartum Depression until I thought about it some time later. After both of my kids, I was figuring it out one day at a time. It was a little different after each child too. With my first, I had all the worries of a first time mom, was grieving all over again that I didn’t have my mom there, and struggled with identifying the feelings I had when I didn’t feel an immediate connection with my baby. With my second, it was the juggle of two under two and officially quitting my full time job. I was struggling with my mental health, my physical health, and with becoming someone new all over again.

After two years of feeling down and empty, I slowly started to incorporate doing photography again, after years of putting my camera away. I did it just to have some time away from the daily mom life, and to have a creative outlet. I’ve always been creative since I was a little girl. Before opening my studio, I was a graphic designer and art teacher! So not having a way to express myself really affected me I think. I slowly started booking more and more clients, became busier, and then decided to do photography full time!

I decided that I didn’t want my entire life to revolve around my kids, the chores, and repeat. It’s so wonderful when other women feel so complete with their SAHM life, and I felt so guilty that I wasn’t one of them. I wanted to build something that I could be proud of, and that one day my kids can look back and see that mom had her own goals and dreams to aspire to. Every woman I think has to find that calling. Whether it’s embracing being at home with the kids, finding a creative outlet or hobby, or getting right back to work. We eventually all figure it out, because we have to as moms. We don’t give ourselves enough grace, enough patience, and enough time to heal. But like the flamingos… we all get our pink back eventually!

Great, so let’s take a few minutes and cover your story. What should folks know about you and what you do?

I’m Laura Gonzalez and I am a photographer in the Houston area specializing in newborn, cake smash, maternity and family photography. I love to work with families from bump to baby and even to 2nd and 3rd baby! What’s most special about what I do is that I get to freeze time. I absolutely know how important photos are. Yes, we all like pretty photos, but it’s more about capturing this moment in time that is forever changing your family history. Time is a thief, and your babies will only get bigger. You will never see your babies again as small as they are today. So with every session I try my best to capture those little details, the cute cheeks, the giggly smiles, and just that feeling as a mom that you never want to forget!

I really want my work to be timeless. I focus a lot on creating portraits that you can display in your home forever. Something that you can look back on and smile. After all, these are the images that you’re going to show your kids when they’re adults, the images that will make you remember the sweetest time in your life. I don’t take it for granted, and I appreciate so much when clients choose me to be the one to do that for their family.

There is so much advice out there about all the different skills and qualities folks need to develop in order to succeed in today’s highly competitive environment and often it can feel overwhelming. So, if we had to break it down to just the three that matter most, which three skills or qualities would you focus on?

I definitely think that in the realm of newborn photography specifically, it’s so important to learn safety, lighting, and business!

Safety is a top priority with me when handling newborns. I think some people might overlook that when searching for a newborn photographer, but really…. it should be most important! You’re handing your baby off to a complete stranger and you want to make sure they’re in good hands. I see so many new photographers enter in the industry with just a camera and a baby without the proper training, and it can be very dangerous. Ensuring that each baby has enough blood circulation, is not blocking any airways, and is overall happy is very important to ensuring a successful session.

Lighting of course, is key in photography. I spent so much time figuring it out on my own by trial and error. When really there are so many resources out there to learn lighting properly. Youtube videos, in person workshops, mentorships, etc. Really understanding light and shadows, and how to manipulate them makes such a difference in quality and composition.

Lastly, learning how to run a business is so important, even when just starting out. It’s not just about pushing a button. A legal, insured company involves overhead, marketing, accounting, insurance, taxes, and more. Once all the pieces are accounted for, then you can understand better how to pay yourself, your bills, and your company.

One of our goals is to help like-minded folks with similar goals connect and so before we go we want to ask if you are looking to partner or collab with others – and if so, what would make the ideal collaborator or partner?

Yes! I’ve been trying to grow my business and get more connected in my local community along with the larger Houston area. There are so many small businesses out there that can benefit from each other and help each other grow. I would love to work with others who similarly work with mommas and their children. Including: clothing boutiques, doulas, ultrasound centers, party planning, desserts and treats, balloon creators, along with other Latina-owned businesses. I’m also always up for an old-school barter system trade! I’ve got my own two small kids, and moms can use all the help they can get to make their childhood amazing!

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.LauraAliciaPhotography.com
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/lauraalicia_photo/
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/LauraAliciaPhoto/
• Other: https://www.tiktok.com/@lauraaliciaphotography

Image Credits

Laura Gonzalez, Laura Alicia Photography LLC