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

Hi Zeida, can you share the most important lesson you’ve learned over the course of your career?
The most important thing I learned in this business of being a photographer is that a client will become a friend faster than a friend will become a client. Through the process of become a business owner, you’ll always hear the advice, “Don’t mix friendship and business” and that is so true, but you have to go through it to learn it.

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 sets me apart is my ability to find art in almost everything. While many wait for the “Perfect” moment or setting, I believe that perfection can be created at any time—with the right eye and intention. That’s what I do. I see beauty in the ordinary and bring it to life through my lens.

Being a business owner isn’t just a job—it’s a constant, evolving part of who I am. Even when I’m not physically working, my mind is always turning. Late at night, I’m lying in bed thinking of how I can improve, grow, and create a better experience for my clients. This mindset fuels everything I do.

My clients are always at the center of my work. I’ve been a giving person since I was young—it’s just in my nature. So when someone books a session or entrusts me with a wedding, I pour every bit of myself into making sure they receive not just great images, but the very best version of me and my craft.

The journey hasn’t always been easy, but it’s been real—and worth it. I’ve learned that persistence, purpose, and heart matter more than anything else. I want the world to know that this is more than photography —it’s a commitment to storytelling, to connection, and to capturing the beauty that already exists, even when it’s not obvious.

If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?
Day 1: Welcome to Miami
• Morning: Pick them up and head to Versailles in Little Havana for a classic Cuban breakfast. Nothing says “welcome” like café con leche and tostadas.
• Afternoon: Walk through South Beach, to explore the fun life Miami has to offer.
• Evening: Dinner at Marabú—great food and a vibe that feels like old Havana meets Miami nightlife.

Day 2: Aesthetic Day + Culture
• Morning: Grab a smoothie or light bite from Joe & The Juice, then head to Wynwood Walls to soak in the street art.
• Afternoon: Explore local galleries and boutiques, then chill with some empanadas from a food truck or café.
• Evening: Sip cocktails at The Henry in Brickell, great crowd.

Day 3: Shopping & Sights
• Morning: Brunch at Ojo de Agua in Brickell. They off chilaquiles that are to die for.
• Midday: Take them to Lincoln Road and Española Way—two spots you can only find in Miami. Tons of shopping, art, and that architectural charm that screams Miami. Don’t miss the 3-story Forever 21!
• Evening: Sunset on the beach, then dinner at Dolores But You Can Call Me Lolita because we can’t miss out on the best croquettes.

Miami is full of life, flavor, and stories—and I’d want my best friend to feel all of that. From culture to nightlife, from chill moments to vibrant energy, I’d make sure they left knowing what makes this city, and my connection to it, so special.

Shoutout is all about shouting out others who you feel deserve additional recognition and exposure. Who would you like to shoutout?
Truthfully, my parents and my boyfriend of seven years deserve all the recognition of why I am where I am today.
5.5 years ago when I started full time, I remember the schools getting shut down due to COVID, and I was a substitute teacher. I’ll never forget sitting on the couch with my boyfriend and I was like “I wish I could do photography full time, but imagine I don’t do well” and he looked at me and said “if you don’t take the chance now, you never will. You won’t know unless you take the risk.”
The next day, I started the whole process of becoming a full time photographer, and never looked back.

On the other hand, if it wasn’t for the DSLR camera I was gifted by my parents for my High School graduation, I would have never been able to experience what photography was. With that camera I gained so much experience and practice, doing sessions for free and learning the in’s and out’s of the camera and editing platforms. If you told me then, I would be here today, I wouldn’t have believed you.

Website: https://www.capturedmemoriesbyz.com

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/capturedmemoriesbyz?igsh=ODNkNnVleDdkczdx&utm_source=qr

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/share/1GLap3PomA/?mibextid=wwXIfr

Image Credits
Captured Memories by Z

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