Today we’d like to introduce you to Bella Cendan
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?
Officially, I have been in my career since filing as a small business in 2020. However, I picked up my first camera in middle school, and my life has never been the same since. I originally dreamed of studying Broadcast Journalism, and focused my studies around that throughout high school and most of college. However, halfway through college, I realized my true passion was found beyond reporting the news, and rested moreso in sharing stories that deserved to be told in a deeper way. I changed majors to Electronic Media with one of my minors in Art (with a Concentration in Photography), and was able to really discover the beauty of long-term film projects that capture exactly what I dreamed of. When I graduated from the University of Miami in 2019, I began working with a mentor of mine (Candace Barbot) on the production team for FORGE at the Overwatch Project (previously Arms with Ethics). This was truly a dream-come-true, until the pandemic hit and work slowed down. Since then, I have focused on putting my entire heart and soul into growing Bella Rosa Productions into what it has become today.
Can you talk to us a bit about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned along the way. Looking back would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?
It has not been a smooth road, but I am very grateful for every bump and curve along the way. Apart from the mental battles of comparing myself to others my age who went directly into a stable full-time 9-5 job, I have built my business, my following, and my clientele from the ground up. This has taken time, patience, and perseverance, all of which has made me stronger, both professionally and personally.
Thanks for sharing that. So, maybe next you can tell us a bit more about your work?
I am a lifestyle photographer and a freelance videographer. I am known for capturing life’s sweetest moments for people to last a lifetime. I capture moments like proposals, engagements, elopements, gender reveals, maternities, newborns, families, business portraits, graduates, and more. I am most proud of forming such strong relationships with my clients that the majority remain repeat clients for more of life’s moments that continue to happen. However, the most impactful thing I have done through my craft that I will always be most proud of is documenting the magic of Kesem (a nationwide non-profit that provides a free week-long summer camp for children impacted by a caregiver’s cancer). I have been able to photograph and create recap films at twenty sessions total, at eight different chapters from six different states, since 2018. What sets me apart from the others is the way that I prioritize each client, making sure each has the Main Character moment that they deserve, and give my entire heart into each session that I work.
Do you have any advice for those looking to network or find a mentor?
I was able to find an incredible mentor that helped guide me when starting my business through Instagram in 2020. I would recommend looking up others in your business on social media platforms like Instagram, and making sure that their work, their language, and their attitude aligns with your goals before reaching out to ask for a mentorship opportunity. It never hurts to reach out and ask! I am also happy to help mentor other aspiring photographers (they do not have to be local to Miami); I have mentored a few and love being able to give advice/guidance in the way that I always desired. Please contact me if you are interested in learning more about mentorship opportunities!
Pricing:
- Couple sessions range from $200.00-$450.00
- Family sessions range from $200.00-$325.00
- Graduate sessions range from $100.00 – $375.00
- Portrait sessions range from $200.00 – $300.00
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.bellarosaproductions.org
- Instagram: @bellarosaproductions
- Facebook: @BellaRosaProductions
- Other: Email: itsbellarosaproductions@gmail.com
Image Credits
The photograph of me was taken by Jenny Hudak.
The five images that represent my work were taken by me, Bella Rosa Productions.
