Meet Maritza AKA Ritz Blanco | Childhood Lifestyle Photographer

We had the good fortune of connecting with Maritza AKA Ritz Blanco and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Maritza AKA Ritz, can you walk us through the thought-process of starting your business?
As a self-taught lifestyle childhood photographer, I can honestly say I love what I do! I’ve always gravitated towards the arts. I knew I had a deep desire and passion to create. And not only create but to create something beautiful that would evoke emotion.

Not once did it cross my mind that I would become a professional photographer especially since I didn’t have a formal education in photography. I purchased my first digital camera in 2005. It was a little Nikon D50, and boy did I put it to work. At first, I just photographed my own children. It was the beginning of digital photography, I had so much to learn.
Photography became a newfound passion. Being able to capture the moment and create art was addicting. I was obsessed. The more I photographed the better got. I’m not saying it was easy, I had many deflating moments. But I knew I was almost where I wanted to be.

By February of 2006, word of mouth spread rather quickly. Not going to lie, I wasn’t sure I was ready. Not because of the photography itself. It was the fact that I knew I would have to start a business. That was a scary thought. It all happened so quickly. Luckily, I had good support from my family and friends. I officially launched Ritz Rivera Childhood Photography in April 2006.

Photography changed my life and my journey as an artist. For me, the best part of being a photographer is the opportunity to capture life’s most precious moments. It’s really about getting to know people and telling their story that inspires me the most.

Alright, so let’s move onto what keeps you busy professionally?

In the beginning, I was torn, was I going to photograph weddings, landscapes, traditional portraits, etc.? Was I going to limit myself if I chose a niche? All I had to do was sit there and look through my portfolio, it was staring me right in the face, I WAS a childhood lifestyle photographer. At the time (2006) there weren’t many lifestyle photographers in Miami. I had a great opportunity to showcase my work, it was something new and fresh.

Building my business has been an amazing journey, however, like most things, there were many ups and downs along the way. Keep in mind this was 18 years ago, the internet wasn’t as savvy as it is today. There was a lot to learn. But the best lesson I learned was, to be honest, authentic, and ultimately just be yourself.

If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?
Oh goodness, where do I start? For starters, a day or two on the beach is a must. Coconut Grover is one of my favorite places to go. It’s super chill and family-friendly. I love adventure so snorkeling, fishing, or even a day trip to the Florida Keys is great. There are so many wonderful restaurants in Miami to choose from. The hard part is selecting just one.

Who else deserves some credit and recognition?
One of the things I am most grateful for is my clients. Without them, I wouldn’t be where I am today. I’ve photographed so many families throughout South Florida spanning 18 years now. The fact they trusted me with their family photos over and over again meant the world to me.

Website: https://ritzrivera.com

Instagram: @ritzriveraphotography

Linkedin: www.linkedin.com/in/ritzrivera

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

Image Credits
All images were created and owned by me. 😀