Today we’d like to introduce you to Rubi Zetino.
Rubi, can you briefly walk us through your story – how you started and how you got to where you are today.
FAITH + PERSEVERANCE.
I started my business the moment I realized that I wanted to spend more time at home, with my son who was at the time nine months. I took a major leap of faith believing that this desire to create [aka hobby] could become something… even if it was a little bit, or enough to keep me at home.
The moment that I took that leap doors began to open, and then I also started knocking on doors of opportunity. I was working hard. Too hard really. There were several moments that my husband questions my ambition. He saw the hard work I was putting into this business, and he wasn’t sure if anything would come of it. Several times he suggested I stop and get a “real job.” Something inside of me fought against it.
I was “stubborn” [as my mom likes to call me]- but over time- that perseverance has paid off. It took too long, but along the way, I gained more than what I anticipated to gain. I GREW, I matured, I transformed, I morphed into something I didn’t expect to become. I found the depths of myself. I found the person I was always designed to become. It took the journey, the struggle to find it and I’ve never been happier.
I get a lot of this perseverance from my mom. She’s my hero. I watched her work so hard and still manage to have time for her seven kids. She’s a single mother who beat so many odds. She came from Mexico with very little. She was given the opportunity to pursue a career in which she was advised to pursue something that would assure her a future for her and her kids-but she knew it meant compromising time with us-so she chose to be a barber because, in the end, she wanted to own her own shop and call her own shots.
She wanted to be the driver of her destiny. And she was. She drove herself and seven kids out of poverty. She gave us a better future. She was stubborn every step of the way [guess where I get it from]. She is now a proud owner of a barbershop that has been established since 1999. There’s so much more I can go on about my mother. But let’s just say that she’s the reason that I, as a mother/wife, don’t allow myself to have excuses.
If my mother, who was a single mother of seven can achieve her goals while raising and loving her seven children, why wouldn’t I who has a very supportive and loving husband and only three kids versus seven? So… eleven years on this journey and I know there is still so much more to learn, so much more to grow. I can feel a shift, and I’m excited for whatever comes my way.
Great, 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?
Absolutely not! It hasn’t been easy. One of the biggest struggles was being a full time stay at home mom. This was my priority, therefore required most of my time. At first, it was easier [with my first son] because I wasn’t as busy. But then with my second, business picked up and on top of it, he was SOMETHING ELSE! He was energetic and fearless since he was six months old. I was staying up late and waking up early. I was trying to manage it all.
On top of that, at the beginning of my journey, my husband said he was supportive… but there were moments where it proved otherwise. He doubted a lot. He questioned a lot. He couldn’t quite see what I could see inside. It was hard for him to believe that something was going to come out of nothing. Now-he’s my biggest fan.
The person who believes in me and my ambitions the most. Why? Because he saw it first hand. He saw my growth-he saw my determination-he saw how every seed I planted started to finally grow. It was a long time coming, but it came.
Things are still hard now because we added a third child and I’m still a stay at home mom full time-but-I’ve learned so much about rhythm and timing and how to structure my life in a way that I can show up as a wife, mother, and entrepreneur. Some days I fail epically, other days I kill it like a boss. It’s all good. All of it. The good, the bad, and the plain out ugly!
Alright – so let’s talk business. Tell us about Rubi Z Photo – what should we know?
I’m primarily a wedding photographer. I specialize in couples that love a little edge or are in some form of artistic — couples who aren’t afraid to think outside of the box. I am most interested in capturing the depth of a feeling before me.
I’m in love with where I am as a business owner. Over time I believe my business has evolved. I thrive on creating a great connection with my clients. They feel like longtime friends during and after I work with them. I’ve always considered my ability to connect with people-a gift.
It comes natural to me, and for whatever reason, people are pretty vulnerable in front of my camera. That’s where the magic happens-it’s almost as if they let me in to a secret place. It’s special. That’s what I believe sets me apart from others.
Is there a characteristic or quality that you feel is essential to success?
I have a lot of design/artistry in my tool belt. I can see things in a bigger scale. I’m not afraid to push the envelope-to try something I’ve never tried before. I’m pretty fearless when it comes to creating. People would often ask me “aren’t you afraid to try it because you’ve never done it? What if it doesn’t work out?” Those types of questions never cross my mind. I always think that I can… and I usually find a way to do whatever seems like I can not. It’s thrilling really.
I tend to go really deep in thought and feeling. This is where I can express that depth-through words and through photographs. My business provides me that outlet. I think the people who are meant to hear it and see it-do. I told myself a few years ago that I would be unafraid to be myself, and I have, and it’s paid off. It’s paid off because now I attract the type of clients who really appreciate my work and it’s paid off because I feel free [it’s easy being me-that’s not something I have to work hard at].
Pricing:
- Portrait Sessions start at $475
- Elopement Coverage starts at $1600
- Wedding Coverage starts at $3500
Contact Info:
- Website: www.rubizphoto.com
- Email: rubiz@rubizphoto.com
Image Credit:
The Photege, Melissa Brannon Photography
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