Meet Lisandra | Owner & Lead Photographer

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

Hi Lisandra, what was your thought process behind starting your own business?
For me, starting my own business came from a mix of personal experience and vision. I was born in Cuba and came to the United States when I was six years old. Growing up, I didn’t have many photographs from my childhood or family history, and now as an adult, I realize how much I wish I did. That shaped how I saw photography early on—not just as images for today, but as part of someone’s legacy that only grows more meaningful over time.

At the same time, I had already developed artistic sensibilities, having gone to magnet schools since elementary and later graduating from New World School of the Arts. So when photography came into my life, it wasn’t just about documenting—it was about creating images that were intentional in how they were made, artful in their aesthetic, and deeply meaningful in what they preserve.

When I became a mother, that perspective came full circle. I felt firsthand how fleeting each season was, and I wanted to preserve those moments not only for me, but for my kids—so they’ll always have tangible reminders of our story together and how they grew up.

That combination of personal experience, artistic training, and my motherhood journey is what led me to start my own photography business. I wanted to offer others what I didn’t have growing up: photographs that feel deeply personal in the present, but become keepsakes that carry weight long after the day has passed. And that extends beyond families, maternity, and newborns too—whether it’s a proposal, an engagement, or a wedding, I see every chapter and milestone as part of a larger legacy.

Starting my business gave me the freedom to create an experience that’s warm—so my clients feel at ease being themselves; thoughtful—in how I guide and shape each session to reflect who they are; and intentional—in the way every image is composed to not just hold meaning, but to help build their legacy.

Let’s talk shop? Tell us more about your career, what can you share with our community?
My art is about creating photographs that are both artful and deeply personal. What sets me apart is the way I blend my fine art background with a warm, sentimental approach that allows clients to feel at ease. My goal is for every image to feel elevated enough to be treasured, but also intimate enough to carry meaning for generations.

The journey here hasn’t been simple. I’ve faced doubts and challenges, especially around finding my voice in such a saturated field. What helped me overcome them was leaning into empathy, creating an experience where people feel cared for, and trusting that my perspective as both an artist and a mother would resonate. Over time, I’ve learned that what matters most isn’t just the photographs themselves, but how my clients feel throughout the process—and that’s what I’m most proud of.

Even the name of my business reflects this philosophy. ‘Rose’ has always symbolized beauty, love, and connection in my life — from the blooms in my garden to my daughter’s middle name. And ‘Swan’ comes from the timeless story of the ugly duckling, which taught me about resilience and transformation. Together, Rose Swan embodies my belief that photography isn’t just about documenting—it’s about celebrating love, resilience, and the timeless beauty of life. Alongside this, I also juggle a full-time role as a marketing manager at a telecommunications company. That experience has given me a deep understanding of branding, storytelling, and client experience—tools I bring into my photography business every day. What I want the world to know is that my work is ultimately about building legacy. Each image is crafted to be intentional, artful, and deeply meaningful, so that long after the moment has passed, it continues to carry grace, emotion, and connection.

Any places to eat or things to do that you can share with our readers? If they have a friend visiting town, what are some spots they could take them to?
If my best friend came to Miami for a week, I’d probably plan the trip around food—because that’s one of the best ways to experience this city.

I’m more of a matcha girl myself, but cafecito is a must here—so we’d kick things off with cafecito and guava and cheese pastelitos or a tostada with butter from a Cuban bakery. We’d also make a stop at The Salty Donut, my favorite donut shop, because it’s impossible to resist. One morning we’d also head over to Zak the Baker for pastries.

For lunch or dinner we’d go to Versailles restaurant, La Carreta in Hialeah, Talavera cocina mexicana in Coral Gables, KYU in Wynwood for smoky Asian barbecue, Jaguar in Coconut Grove, and Makoto in Miami Beach.

Between meals, we’d explore Wynwood’s murals, the Design District, wander Vizcaya’s gardens, admire the art deco architecture in Miami Beach, visit the Ancient Spanish Monastery and spend a slow afternoon at Fairchild Tropical Botanic Garden or Bill Baggs park. A boat day on Biscayne Bay would be non-negotiable—there’s nothing like seeing the Miami skyline from the water.

Miami is full of energy, but the heart of the trip would be savoring it bite by bite.

Shoutout is all about shouting out others who you feel deserve additional recognition and exposure. Who would you like to shoutout?
I had a mentor—the VP of the marketing department at my full time job—who was one of the first people to really encourage me to pursue photography seriously. I also had peers and co-workers who constantly cheered me on; it truly felt like a whole village rooting for me. And of course, my husband has been one of my biggest supporters from the very beginning, always believing in me even on the days I doubted myself.

Later on, I was fortunate to connect with two photographer friends who became a big part of my journey as well—they offered guidance, encouragement, and community when I needed it most.

But ultimately, the credit goes to my two babies. They’re the reason I picked up my camera with more intention, and the reason I fell in love with preserving the chapters of life in the first place. They remind me every day why this work matters.

Website: https://roseswanphotography.com/#/

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

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/people/Rose-Swan-Photo/61577859784804/#