Life & Work with Victoria Mendoza of Chicago

Today we’d like to introduce you to Victoria Mendoza.

Hi Victoria, we’d love for you to start by introducing yourself.
My first child was born the week the world shut down for COVID in March of 2020. I had been busy working as an elementary school teacher and between work, the festivities that come with a first baby, and life, I hadn’t thought to schedule newborn photos. I didn’t think I wanted them and left that for future me to figure out. Once the lockdown situation started to sink in, I realized that meant I couldn’t schedule anyone to document those first precious moments for us (one of those you don’t know what you want until you can’t have it experiences!). A friend had a really nice camera and offered to lend it to me to take photos. Tired and bleary-eyed from the early days of postpartum, my husband and I attempted photos in our home. With a colicky baby and the camera on auto-mode, we managed to get a few photos (that I still cherish to this day!) .Fast forward to 2022, I had two little boys under 2 years old. I was staying at home with them, unsure if returning to my career as an elementary school teacher was in the cards for me. I thought it would be fun to pursue a dream that I had left for “one day”, of becoming a wedding photographer. I realized that I still had my friend’s camera in a closet (between COVID and moves for both of us, the camera had gotten lost in it all!). I slowly started to learn how to use a camera, discovered weddings were in fact not my passion, and fell in love with photographing families. Having a young family of my own, I knew exactly how parents were feeling and I wanted them to see the beauty in their life, amidst the chaos and the mess that comes with raising children. Over time, that feeling has only deepened. I consider my photos a love letter to my clients. I hope to capture their families honestly, so they too can see the love, beauty, and joy that I see through my lens.

I’m sure it wasn’t obstacle-free, but would you say the journey has been fairly smooth so far?
Learning how to run a business from scratch has been an experience of it’s own. Doing it as a military spouse has brought even more challenges. We moved three times in three years, and I had to learn how to market myself effectively, learn the technical and boring side (like SEO), and grow in my craft, all while raising three young children and homeschooling my oldest. Thought it wasn’t ideal, being put in situations that were difficult forced me to adapt and learn how to grow my business simultaneously.

Thanks – so what else should our readers know about your work and what you’re currently focused on?
I am a newborn and family photographer in Central Illinois who specializes in joyful and heartfelt images that don’t feel stiff or boring. I want everyone to feel relaxed during their session and trust that no matter what happens (anyone with young children knows that sometimes you wonder if you even got ONE good photo during a session!), you are being documented honestly to reflect the beauty of your family!

Child-led sessions are my jam! As a former elementary school teacher and mother of three children under 6 (one of whom has special needs), there is nothing that phases me. Using a child-led approach, I respect children by following their lead. Some children take time to warm up, some children start chatting from the second they get out of the car. No matter your child’s personality, I never make them feel uncomfortable by forcing them to do something they aren’t ready for. More than just a pretty new profile picture or a Christmas card photo, I photograph families who crave honesty in their images, value connection over the right pose, and want photos to remember the best days of their lives.

Is there a quality that you most attribute to your success?
Call it resiliency or call it stubbornness, I try to improve with every session and client I take on. Not for anyone but myself and my clients! Clients deserve someone who is confident in their craft and leads with calm energy.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://victoriamendozaphotography.com/
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/victoriamendozaphoto/
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/vmendozaphoto