Meet Elysia Janae Gonzales

We had the good fortune of connecting with Elysia Janae Gonzales and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Elysia Janae, what was your thought process behind starting your own business?
Starting my business came from a deeply personal place. I didn’t get newborn photos of my daughter, and it’s something I’ve always wished I had. I wanted to create a space where new mothers and families could have those memories—beautiful, lasting images they’ll never forget. It means so much to me to be able to provide what I once missed: a way to preserve the sweetness of this fleeting season.

Can you open up a bit about your work and career? We’re big fans and we’d love for our community to learn more about your work.
What truly sets me apart is the level of training and care I bring to every session. Over the years, I’ve invested deeply in perfecting my craft—especially when it comes to safely posing and handling newborns. I’ve completed multiple safety courses to ensure every baby is treated with the highest level of care. While there are many photographers out there, not all are professionally trained in infant safety, and that can be risky. For me, it’s not just about creating beautiful images—it’s about doing so responsibly and thoughtfully.

I also offer custom-themed cake smashes and love designing something one-of-a-kind for each child. Photographing babies and small children is where my heart is, and I take pride in making each session a fun, memorable experience for families.

Getting to where I am today hasn’t been easy. Like any business, it’s had slow seasons, busy seasons, and plenty of in-between. The timing of COVID made things especially challenging—it hit right when I was beginning to step into photography full time. But in a way, it pushed me to focus fully on building my brand. When the world opened back up, I was ready—and I haven’t looked back since.

Let’s say your best friend was visiting the area and you wanted to show them the best time ever. Where would you take them? Give us a little itinerary – say it was a week long trip, where would you eat, drink, visit, hang out, etc.
I’d definitely take them to the Houston Aquarium—it’s a favorite of mine, no matter how many times I’ve been. I’d also bring them to POST Houston for great food and city views. A trip to Galveston for a dolphin tour is a must; it’s always a memorable experience.

For dining, I’d keep it simple with spots like Common Bond for breakfast and Velvet Taco for a casual bite. But Honestly, Houston is full of hidden gems and a great mix of culture, food, and fun—there’s always something new to explore, even for locals like me.

The Shoutout series is all about recognizing that our success and where we are in life is at least somewhat thanks to the efforts, support, mentorship, love and encouragement of others. So is there someone that you want to dedicate your shoutout to?
Absolutely—so many people have poured into my journey, and I’m beyond grateful. Definitely, I have to thank my family and friends. Their constant support, especially in the early days when I was balancing motherhood and building a business, gave me the strength to keep going. I’m also so thankful for the photographer friends I’ve met along the way all over the world —their support and generosity behind the scenes have meant so much and reminded me that there’s room for all of us to grow and succeed. A special thank you to Dawn Potter Photography in Seattle—her newborn workshop was the first I ever attended, and she’s become both a mentor and a dear friend. And most of all, my daughter—she’s the reason I picked up a camera with purpose. This business started because of her, and every step forward is for her too.

Website: https://www.elysiajanae.com

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/photosbyelysiajanae

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/photosbyelysiajanae