Connect
To Top

Exploring Life & Business with Odalys Ruano of In a Flash by Ruano

Today we’d like to introduce you to Odalys Ruano.

Alright, so thank you so much for sharing your story and insight with our readers. To kick things off, can you tell us a bit about how you got started?
Photography started as a passion, but it quickly became something much bigger. I came to the United States from Cuba when I was young, and over the years I learned that success comes from hard work, consistency, and never giving up.

I began by photographing families and children, always striving to create meaningful memories rather than just beautiful pictures. As my business grew, I invested in improving my skills, my client experience, and eventually my own studio. Today, I’m the owner of In a Flash by Ruano, where I specialize in creating timeless portraits and experiences for families.

Beyond photography, I love building businesses and bringing people together through creative experiences. I’m currently expanding my studio into a space that will also host workshops, small events, and collaborations with other local entrepreneurs.

My journey hasn’t always been easy, but every challenge has taught me something valuable. I’m proud of how far I’ve come, and I’m even more excited about what’s ahead. My goal has always been simple: to create beautiful experiences, serve my clients with excellence, and continue growing both personally and professionally.

Alright, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
No, it definitely hasn’t always been a smooth road. Building a business from the ground up has come with many challenges, especially learning how to balance being a photographer, business owner, wife, and mom.

There were times when business was slow, times when I questioned myself, and many moments when I had to learn things through trial and error. Growing also meant taking risks—investing in equipment, opening my own studio, hiring help, and trusting that the work I was putting in would eventually pay off.

One of my biggest lessons has been that growth doesn’t happen overnight. Every challenge has pushed me to become more disciplined, creative, and confident as a business owner. Looking back, I’m grateful for those difficult seasons because they helped shape the business and person I am today.

We’ve been impressed with In a Flash by Ruano , but for folks who might not be as familiar, what can you share with them about what you do and what sets you apart from others?
In a Flash by Ruano is a luxury portrait photography studio based in West Palm Beach, Florida, specializing in maternity, newborn, family, children’s, milestone, smash cake, and personal branding photography. My goal has always been to create more than beautiful images—I want every client to leave with an unforgettable experience and memories they’ll treasure for generations.

What sets us apart is our attention to detail and the personalized experience we provide from start to finish. From custom-designed sets and wardrobe options to a welcoming studio environment, every session is thoughtfully planned to make clients feel comfortable, confident, and celebrated.

One of the things I’m most proud of is building a business that has grown primarily through referrals and returning clients. Watching families come back year after year—from maternity and newborn sessions to birthdays, smash cake celebrations, and family portraits—is the greatest compliment I could receive. I also love helping entrepreneurs elevate their businesses through professional branding photography that tells their unique story.

As my business continues to grow, I’m expanding into The Ruano Studio, a creative space that will not only serve photography clients but also host workshops, small events, and collaborations with other local entrepreneurs. My vision is to create a place where creativity, community, and meaningful experiences come together.

At the heart of everything I do is a simple mission: to serve every client with excellence, create timeless artwork, and make people feel seen, valued, and celebrated. We don’t just take photos—we create experiences and preserve life’s most meaningful moments.

We’d love to hear about how you think about risk taking?

I believe growth requires taking calculated risks. Every major step in my business has involved stepping outside my comfort zone, whether it was investing in professional equipment, opening my own studio, or continuing to reinvest in my business instead of playing it safe.

One of the biggest risks I’ve taken has been expanding my vision beyond photography. I’m currently growing into The Ruano Studio, a creative space that will serve not only my photography clients but also workshops, small events, and collaborations with other local entrepreneurs. It’s a significant investment, but I believe that creating experiences and building a community is the future of my business.

I don’t take risks impulsively—I do my research, make a plan, and then commit fully. I’ve learned that some risks won’t work exactly as expected, but every experience teaches you something valuable. If I had let fear make my decisions, I wouldn’t be where I am today.

For me, the biggest risk isn’t trying something new—it’s staying comfortable and never reaching my full potential.

Contact Info:

Woman in white blazer holding a cake, standing behind a table with cameras and papers, cream-colored curtain background.

Suggest a Story: VoyageMIA is built on recommendations from the community; it’s how we uncover hidden gems, so if you or someone you know deserves recognition please let us know here.

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

More in Local Stories

  • Community Highlights:

    The community highlights series is one that our team is very excited about.  We’ve always wanted to foster certain habits within...

    Local StoriesSeptember 8, 2021
  • Heart to Heart with Whitley: Episode 4

    You are going to love our next episode where Whitley interviews the incredibly successful, articulate and inspiring Monica Stockhausen. If you...

    Whitley PorterSeptember 1, 2021
  • Introverted Entrepreneur Success Stories: Episode 3

    We are thrilled to present Introverted Entrepreneur Success Stories, a show we’ve launched with sales and marketing expert Aleasha Bahr. Aleasha...

    Local StoriesAugust 25, 2021