From dream to table, here’s where it all began…
Creativity lives in the details. The spark often starts right in your hands.
I’ve always been a creative at heart. Whether it was painting, rearranging a room, breathing new life into an old piece of furniture, or capturing a moment with a camera—creativity was never just a hobby for me. It was a way of expressing joy. It was also how I showed love. I made things for myself, for my home, and often as gifts for family and friends. But back then, I never thought of it as a business—just something I loved doing.
Then I became a mother.
Suddenly I found myself with a camera in hand more often than not. Every milestone, every funny face, every quiet moment—I wanted to remember it all. And without realizing it, I was growing in skill and style. Friends started asking me to take their family portraits. Then friends of friends. Then strangers.
People were telling me how much they loved my work.
But instead of leaning in, I hesitated. I held myself back—not because I didn’t love it, but because I was constantly criticizing myself. I worried I wasn’t “ready.” That I didn’t have enough gear, or the right name, or the perfect setup. I let the fear of starting wrong keep me from starting at all.
From Passion to Prep Work
Starting the business wasn’t an overnight thing. I spent nearly a year just preparing—quietly, behind the scenes.
I wanted to do it right. I researched the legal side, gathered the gear I needed (starting small, always paying in cash—not on credit), and built my website from scratch. I created my DBA, updated my LLC to include photography, and only made purchases as I earned.
I had already been prepping for the business—building the foundation step by step—but I was definitely dragging my feet to go live. I kept telling myself I wasn’t ready yet, always finding one more thing to “figure out” first.
Then one day, I was chatting with the tile installer finishing our bathroom. He was just one of those people who radiate encouragement. I mentioned my hesitation—how I didn’t know which lead system to use (another excuse, if we’re being honest)—and he said:
“You have everything you need and do great work. Just go for it. Your business name could even be Rosie's Posies!”
And that was it.
That simple, light-hearted comment gave me the final nudge. It was exactly what I needed to hear. That little joke turned into the name Rose’s Poses Photography—and I finally stopped dragging my feet.
I launched and continued my slow and steady pace. One shoot funded the next lens. One client helped me grow the business a little more. My passion continued to grow and showed in my work.
What You Can Take From This
This post isn’t just about my story—it’s also about yours. If you’re sitting on a passion, wondering if it’s “enough” to become a business… here’s what I want to say:
You don’t need to be perfect to begin. You just need to begin.
There’s no timeline you have to follow. Going slow doesn’t mean you’re doing it wrong.
Confidence doesn’t show up on day one. It shows up on day 365, when you realize how far you’ve come.
Photography might be my medium, but your dream might look totally different. Maybe it’s baking. Or woodworking. Or coaching. Or interior design. The truth is: most creative businesses start in the quietest of places—with someone doing what they love, for themselves, until one day it becomes something more.
From Dream to Table: A Spark You Can Follow
Your dream doesn’t need to be grand to be real. It just needs to be yours.
So if you’ve been waiting for a sign, or permission, or the “right moment,” let this be it. You already have the spark—you wouldn’t be reading this if you didn’t.
And just like I turned my camera into a career, you can turn your dream into something tangible, something sustainable, and something that belongs to you.
See you next month for Part 2:“The Framework: Building Systems That Support Your Art (and Your Sanity).”
✉️ Stay in the Loop
Love this post? Sign up below to get monthly insights, motivation, and real-world advice on building your dream business—straight from Dream to Table.
📣 Spread the Spark
Know someone who needs that final push to start their dream business? Share this post and tag me:
📸 Instagram: @roses.poses.photography Hashtag: #DreamToTableSeries
👩💻 About the Author
Rosemarie Campos is a photographer, entrepreneur, and creative heart behind Rose’s Poses Photography and Atlas Ophelia & Co. LLC. Based in North Carolina, she’s a mom of two, a full-time business owner, and a firm believer that dreams are built with equal parts art and grit. When she’s not behind the lens, she’s probably redesigning a space or updating her website for the hundredth time—because the creative process never really ends.