Today we’d like to introduce you to Laura Ramirez.
Hi Laura, it’s an honor to have you on the platform. Thanks for taking the time to share your story with us – to start maybe you can share some of your backstories with our readers?
My name is Laura Ramirez, (people know me by “Rami”) and I’m from Cali, Colombia. I came to the US 6 years ago thanks to a college scholarship (full-ride) to study Business Administration at Florida College. As an immigrant, I wasn’t allowed to work with a student visa so I had to figure out a way to make some money to supply my needs. During my freshman year of college, I went back to Colombia for summer break and worked for three months to be able to buy my first camera. (You make $2.90 the hour working in Colombia and that’s why it took longer to be able to have the money.) I made my way through college thanks to photography.
Since I’ve always been a hustler, I thought that buying the camera would be a good investment to make money on the side while I was in college. I didn’t know anything about photography but I was still charging very low prices to my friends so I could get the experience. My favorite motto is fake it until you make it, and I did it. Now I am a full-time photographer, social media manager, and TikToker.
My most recent project is called “Light up, Tampa Babes”
“Light up, Tampa Babes” is a project I started a month ago to connect with other girls in the area. The initial project required 8 people to join; we are now around +200 girls. The objective and main goal of this group is to support one another by creating meaningful connections in the area. A group where everyone has a role and a purpose. Each month will have a different theme in which small businesses and Tampanians will get to participate and grow their network. (Ex: influencers meetups, self-improvement events, social media workshops, etc.)
Alright, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall, and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
Being an immigrant wasn’t easy.
I came here to the US when I was 16 without my family and without fully understanding the language. Adapting to the new culture, environment, food, etc. took me a while.
The extroverted/funny Laura from Colombia was gone. It was a process to find myself again.
Not having a car, money, or other things was a great blessing to use my time wisely to learn new skills and ways to make a living. My needs put me into a winner mindset and I won’t stop until I achieve my goals I can also support my family and help people in need
Appreciate you sharing that. What else should we know about what you do?
I’m a photographer that specializes in couples, families, and portraits. I enjoy capturing love through my lens and making my clients see themselves as art. I come across a lot of people that don’t love the way they look because of insecurities created in the past. My job, beyond taking the picture is for them to feel comfortable in front of the camera and fall in love with themselves. Depending on the job, I like to ask my clients positive questions about themselves to see their eyes light up when they talk about their dreams and goals in front of the lens. It is very rewarding and fulfilling when my clients start seeing themselves for who they are, and not for what society wants us to look and be.
I’m looking into becoming a wedding photographer this 2022 and I’m really excited about capturing one of the main demonstrations of love through the lens.
Is there anyone you’d like to thank or give credit to?
My parents sold their car and other possessions to be able to send me to the US, and if it wasn’t because of their selfless love and understanding that I was going to have a better life here, I wouldn’t be where I am today.
I thank my church family for supporting me, encouraging me, and going the extra mile to help me adapt to this new country.
Finally, I am extremely grateful for my husband that was my main supporter to start my own business last year. He financially supported me to stop working a 9-5 job and that way I had time to start my venture. My husband is my biggest cheerleader and I work hard every day so one day he can also be able to leave his job and focus on his dreams.
Pricing:
- My 1-hour sessions start at $200 in the Tampa Bay Area
Contact Info:
- Email: laurisramirez456@gmail.com
- Website: https://beacons.ai/photographer_tampa/
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/photographer_tampa/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Tampaphotography/
Image Credits
@photographer_tampa
