Today we’d like to introduce you to Jenice Garcia.
Hi Jenice, please kick things off for us with an introduction to yourself and your story.
Absolutely. My journey into photography wasn’t a straight path—it was born out of love, challenge, and the deep desire to preserve meaningful moments.
I originally studied architecture in Venezuela, where I’m from. But after moving to the United States, I found myself starting over from scratch. It was during my first pregnancy that I truly fell in love with photography. I was searching for a way to freeze those little moments—those tiny hands, sleepy eyes, and raw emotions—and I realized there was nothing more beautiful than capturing the earliest days of life.
In 2015, I officially opened My 1st Photo, a newborn photography studio in Miramar, Florida. At first, I was doing everything on my own—learning the business, working with limited resources, and building trust one client at a time. Things started to grow thanks to word of mouth, and soon I found myself photographing babies every single week.
Just as the business began gaining momentum, my first child was diagnosed with autism. It was one of the hardest moments of my life. I questioned if continuing to work made me a bad mother. But with time, I realized that the best thing I could do for my children was to pursue my purpose and create something meaningful—not only for my family, but for others.
That experience inspired me to adapt my studio to be a safe and welcoming space for all families, especially those with neurodiverse children. Today, I photograph over 1,000 newborns a year, lead a growing team, and have launched an online academy to train both photographers and moms in capturing the beauty of everyday moments with their babies.
Looking back, every challenge became part of my story—and I’m incredibly grateful for where that journey has taken me.
Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
Not at all—it’s been a road filled with both blessings and very real challenges.
Starting a business in a new country with no connections, limited resources, and a different language was already a big leap. I had to learn everything—from how to run a business to how to connect with families in a meaningful and professional way. At times, I doubted myself. I questioned whether I was doing enough, or doing it right.
But the most significant struggle came when my first child was diagnosed with autism. I was still building my business, and I felt completely torn. I remember thinking, “Should I pause everything? Am I being selfish for continuing to work?” The emotional weight was heavy, and I felt overwhelmed trying to be a good mother while also running a growing business.
Eventually, I realized that my work wasn’t separate from my role as a mom—it was a reflection of it. I understood the importance of creating a studio where all families, including those with children like mine, felt safe, seen, and celebrated. That realization shifted everything. I found strength in my story, and connection in my vulnerability.
There were also practical struggles—long hours, managing growth, training a team, and staying financially stable in an industry that can be very unpredictable. But I’ve learned that every obstacle comes with a lesson. And it’s in those hard moments where you find out what you’re truly capable of.
Can you tell our readers more about what you do and what you think sets you apart from others?
I specialize in newborn photography, and my work focuses on capturing the raw, delicate beauty of babies in their very first days of life. My style is minimalist, timeless, and emotional—I aim to create images that feel pure and intimate, without overwhelming props or distractions. I want the baby to be the art.
What I’m most known for—and what many of my clients mention again and again—is the calm and peaceful energy of the studio. Parents are often amazed at how we’re able to gently soothe their baby to sleep, sometimes within minutes, and how effortlessly we move them into poses that seem impossible to achieve. There’s truly an art to calming a newborn, and over the years we’ve mastered the subtle details—how to hold them, how to read their cues, how to pace the session around their natural rhythm.
Our studio is designed to feel like a sanctuary. From the lighting to the temperature to the sound, everything is intentional. Many parents walk in stressed and tired—and they leave feeling relaxed, supported, and proud of the beautiful moments we captured.
We also pride ourselves in achieving poses that require great skill and safety awareness, like hands under chin or wrapped tummy poses. It takes precision, patience, and training to do this in a way that’s both safe and stunning—and I’m proud to say we’ve made it look effortless.
What sets me apart is not just the final image, but the experience we create for the families. My background as a mother—especially to a neurodiverse child—gives me a level of empathy and intuition that many clients feel instantly. I treat every baby as if they were my own, and every session as an opportunity to give a family something truly unforgettable.
And above all, I’m proud of the trust my clients place in me. Many have been with me for over a decade, returning with each new child. That’s the kind of connection and legacy I always hoped to build through my art.
Are there any apps, books, podcasts, blogs or other resources you think our readers should check out?
Absolutely—and before anything else, I have to say that my spiritual life and relationship with God have been the foundation of my growth, both personally and professionally. My husband and I attend church every Sunday, and worship music is something I listen to daily—it centers me, gives me peace, and reminds me of my purpose. That constant connection with God has been my balance through every season of life and business.
On the practical side, there are a few tools that help me stay organized. For scheduling, I use Acuity Scheduling, which has been a game-changer for our workflow. I’ve used it for years to manage appointments and keep everything running smoothly. For photo editing, we’ve worked with Adobe Photoshoot for over a decade, and it continues to be an essential part of delivering consistent, high-quality results.
For business growth, two books that deeply impacted me are “Rich Dad, Poor Dad” by Robert Kiyosaki and “The Richest Man in Babylon” by George S. Clason. I used to be extremely shy—even doing interviews like this was unthinkable for me not long ago. But these books helped me step out of that mindset. They’re a little intense, but they offer practical, honest advice about entrepreneurship and money mindset that gave me the push I needed to grow.
Sometimes, the tools we need aren’t just business systems—they’re the truths and inspirations that keep us moving forward. For me, it’s been a combination of faith, structure, and learning to believe in my own voice.
Pricing:
- Newborn Photography Sessions Starting at $260, which includes session time, access to studio wardrobe and props, and a set of professionally edited digital images.
- Cake Smash Sessions Starting at $290, includes setup, outfit, decorations, and edited images (cake not included).
Contact Info:
- Website: https://my1stphoto.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/myfirstphoto/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/my1stphoto
- Yelp: https://www.yelp.com/biz/my-first-photo-miramar
Image Credits
My First Photo
