Meet Niesha Fuentes | Photographer & Web Designer

We had the good fortune of connecting with Niesha Fuentes and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Niesha, what was your thought process behind starting your own business?
Photography actually saved my life. When I started my business back in 2016, I was depressed and really struggling with a lot of things. In 2014, I had a stillborn baby boy named Carmelo. We called him Melo for short and so of course, as you can imagine, I was really devastated. We had took photos at the hospital and I remember rushing to print them everywhere I could. I made like 3 copies of each photo, because I wanted to remember him. I wanted to know my loss wasn’t in vain.

Everything really intensified in 2015 after I had my rainbow baby. I was diagnosed with postpartum depression as well. There was a lot of interior struggling going on within myself. I remember thinking, “Here I am with a new baby that I’m blessed with, but I still feel this void.” I didn’t want the world to forget that I carried this baby in me for 9 months and he was just gone. I wanted him to know that I didn’t forget about him. That’s when Melo and Me Photography was born.

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.
I call myself a lifetime photographer, because I don’t focus on a special niche or specialty. My goal is to photograph and document memories throughout the client’s entire lifespan. Building lifelong relationships has been by far, the greatest thing I’m most proud of. To photograph children before adolescence or when they’re “tweens”, then again for senior year, then their wedding day. One day they’re going to come back to me for photos with their family or their kids’ families..that’s really a beautiful thing.

We grow through constructive criticism and feedback. I remember growing so fast artistically and creatively my first year in business. It was because I went to successful photographers like Temi Coker, and asked for feedback. Every critique had its purpose. Now I take everything in stride. I know there’s a higher purpose for what I’m doing and how.

I’m serving and helping people freeze moments in time the way photos and prints did for me. I think if imagery and photographs can make me remember Melo, they can help others too.

If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?
I get really excited about the food here. Starting my day with “Tony’s Taco” at Freddie’s Taco Shack in Porter or Texas Compadres Cafe’s breakfast in The Woodlands. Then I’d venture off the beaten path and maybe check out one of the local parks, state forest, or gardens. I’ll break for lunch and go to Chicken Headz, Mico’s Hot Chicken or The Waffle Bus for a bite to eat. Pinspiration Kingwood has like these arts and crafts that you can do. It’s sort of like Painting with a Twist, but more crafty. I’d probably end up somewhere at Lake Houston Parkway in Kingwood or the Woodlands Waterway. Grimaldi’s would make for a nice dinner.

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?
Because I’m the face of my business, people don’t really see who’s behind the scenes. My husband, Pedro, has been my biggest cheerleader and supporter. I remember when I told him I was going into business, he just said “You can do it. If anyone can do it, it’s you.” He’s really carried our family and business on his back, and I’m just so thankful to have him.

Entrepreneurship is difficult enough, but when you have others around you who believe in your vision and support you it means the world. I’m thankful to have so many people who have poured into me, a lot of them are creatives as well. That accountability helps me grow and the support helps me thrive.

Website: https://nieshafuentes.com

Instagram: https://instagram.com/niesha.fuentes

Facebook: https://facebook.com/groups/nieshafuentes

Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCnpIOq-rGfVDGEPubbpUIjw