Meet Andrea De La Cruz

Today we’d like to introduce you to Andrea De La Cruz.

Hi Andrea, we’d love for you to start by introducing yourself.
I’ve always believed that some of the most meaningful careers are built from life’s unexpected detours.

My journey began in real estate. I became a licensed REALTOR® in 2006 while working for a real estate developer in Florida. Over the years, I also earned a Master’s degree in Human Resources and built a career in corporate leadership, training, coaching, and higher education. I loved helping people grow, solve problems, and build confidence.

Creativity had always been part of who I was, so in 2016 I launched Andrea Lucia Photography. What started as a passion quickly became a business focused on documenting some of life’s most important milestones. Over the years I’ve photographed branding sessions for entrepreneurs, intimate weddings, and families, discovering that my favorite part of every wedding was always the ceremony itself. That passion eventually led me to become an ordained bilingual wedding officiant, allowing me to serve couples in an even more meaningful way.

A few years ago, my family and I relocated to Metro Atlanta to start a new chapter. Like many entrepreneurs, I had to rebuild my network, business, and reputation from the ground up in a completely new city. Around that same time, I experienced one of the biggest turning points of my life when I lost my corporate job after requesting workplace accommodations for my health. It was an incredibly difficult season, but it forced me to ask myself a question that changed everything: “If I have to start over, what kind of life do I truly want to build?”

The answer became Andrea Lucia & Co.

Today, Andrea Lucia & Co. brings together everything I love, real estate, branding photography, wedding photography, bilingual officiant services, content creation, and education. At first glance, those services may seem very different, but they’re all connected by one mission: helping people navigate life’s biggest milestones with confidence. Whether I’m helping a family buy their first home, photographing a woman launching her business, officiating a wedding ceremony, or teaching entrepreneurs how to show up online, my goal is always the same, to help people feel seen, supported, and empowered.

More recently, I’ve also become passionate about sharing my journey living with Stage 4 chronic kidney disease. Through social media, I’ve connected with thousands of people facing similar challenges. While I don’t give medical advice, I hope my story encourages others to advocate for themselves, stay hopeful, and continue pursuing their dreams regardless of the obstacles they face.

Looking back, every chapter of my career, from corporate leadership to photography, education, real estate, and entrepreneurship has prepared me for what I’m doing today. I no longer see myself as someone with several different careers. I see myself as someone who helps people build confidence, celebrate milestones, and create lives they’re proud of, while continuing to build a business that reflects my values, creativity, and faith.

Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
It definitely hasn’t been a smooth road, but looking back, I wouldn’t change the journey because every challenge has shaped the person and business owner I am today.

Like many entrepreneurs, I’ve experienced seasons where I questioned whether I should keep going. Starting over in a new state meant rebuilding my business, my network, and my reputation from scratch. There were days when I wondered if anyone would ever know who I was in Metro Atlanta after spending years building relationships in Florida.

One of the hardest chapters of my life came when I lost my corporate job after requesting workplace accommodations for my health. It was heartbreaking because I had invested so much into my career, and suddenly I found myself asking, “What’s next?” Looking back, that moment became the push I needed to bet on myself and build something that truly reflected my purpose.

Not long after, I was diagnosed with chronic kidney disease. More recently, I learned that my condition had progressed to Stage 4. Hearing those words changed my perspective on almost everything. It reminded me that tomorrow is never guaranteed and that there is no perfect time to pursue your dreams.

Living with a chronic illness while running multiple businesses hasn’t been easy. There are days when my energy is limited, and I have to be intentional about how I spend my time. I’ve learned that success isn’t about working nonstop, it’s about building systems, prioritizing what matters most, and giving myself grace when my health requires me to slow down.

Financially, entrepreneurship has also been a roller coaster. There have been months when business was thriving and others when I had to get creative, pivot, and find new ways to generate income. Those experiences taught me resilience, resourcefulness, and the importance of continuing to learn and adapt.

The biggest lesson I’ve learned is that your circumstances don’t have to define your future. Every obstacle I’ve faced has strengthened my faith, deepened my empathy for others, and reminded me why I love what I do. Today, when I help a couple get married, photograph a woman starting her business, or guide a family through buying a home, I understand how precious those milestones really are.

If my journey has taught me anything, it’s this: life doesn’t have to be perfect for you to build something meaningful. Sometimes the most difficult seasons become the foundation for your greatest purpose.

Thanks for sharing that. So, maybe next you can tell us a bit more about your work?
At the heart of everything I do is helping people celebrate life’s biggest milestones with confidence.

Through Andrea Lucia & Co., I’ve built a business that brings together several passions under one mission. I’m a REALTOR®, branding photographer, intimate wedding photographer, bilingual wedding officiant, content creator, and educator serving Metro Atlanta. While those roles may seem different, they’re all connected by one purpose: helping people step into their next chapter with confidence and joy.

I help families purchase one of the biggest investments of their lives. I help entrepreneurs build brands they’re proud to share with the world. I help couples begin their marriage with meaningful bilingual ceremonies that honor both families and cultures. And I help business owners become more visible by teaching them how to confidently show up on camera and tell their stories.

One of the things I’m known for is making people feel comfortable. Whether someone is buying their first home, standing in front of my camera, or getting married, those moments can feel overwhelming. My goal is to create an experience where people feel seen, heard, and supported. Many clients tell me they arrived feeling nervous but left feeling confident and that’s one of the greatest compliments I can receive.

As a bilingual entrepreneur, I also love serving both English- and Spanish-speaking communities. Being able to communicate with families in their preferred language allows me to create deeper connections and ensure everyone feels included, especially during important life events like weddings and home purchases.

What sets me apart is that I don’t see transactions—I see people. I genuinely invest in my clients’ stories and celebrate their successes as if they were my own. I believe relationships are far more valuable than any single sale or booking, and many of my clients become long-term friends, supporters, and referral partners.

The accomplishment I’m most proud of isn’t tied to awards or numbers. It’s the fact that I’ve continued building a business rooted in service despite facing significant personal challenges, including rebuilding my career after relocating to Georgia and learning to navigate life with Stage 4 chronic kidney disease. Those experiences have given me a greater appreciation for every milestone I get to witness.

Today, I’m also passionate about encouraging women—especially those over 40—to believe it’s never too late to reinvent themselves. Whether someone wants to buy a home, start a business, build a personal brand, or simply become more confident, I hope my journey reminds them that it’s possible to begin again and create something meaningful.

If I want people to remember one thing about me, it’s this: I want to be known not just for beautiful photographs, successful real estate transactions, or heartfelt ceremonies, but for helping people believe in themselves and take the next step toward the life they’ve been dreaming about.

What does success mean to you?
Success is one of those words that means something different to everyone. As I’ve gotten older, my definition has changed quite a bit.

For me, success isn’t just about money or achievements—although I believe financial freedom is important. Success is waking up excited about the work I get to do, having the flexibility to spend time with my family, serving my clients well, and knowing that the work I’m doing is making a positive difference in someone’s life.

Living with Stage 4 chronic kidney disease has also given me a completely different perspective. It has taught me not to postpone my dreams or wait for the “perfect” time. Every day is a gift, and success means building a life that I’m proud of today, not someday.

I also believe success is having the courage to reinvent yourself. I’ve changed careers, moved to a new state, started businesses from scratch, and continued moving forward even when life didn’t go according to plan. Every chapter has taught me something valuable.

Of course, I have big goals. I want to build a thriving company, create financial security for my family, invest in real estate, and leave a legacy that my children can be proud of. But if I can do all of that while staying true to my values, helping others celebrate life’s biggest milestones, and waking up every morning excited to do work I genuinely love, then I’ll consider myself successful.

To me, that’s what success really looks like: creating a life with purpose, freedom, meaningful relationships, and the opportunity to make a lasting impact on others.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.andrealuciaphotography.com/
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/andrealucia_photography