Bess Perry-Garcua shared their story and experiences with us recently and you can find our conversation below.
Hi Bess, thank you so much for taking time out of your busy day to share your story, experiences and insights with our readers. Let’s jump right in with an interesting one: What is something outside of work that is bringing you joy lately?
Outside of work, I find joys in slowing down. Spending time watching my kids splash at the beach or enjoying a new book. I recently started painting again and taking commissions. Painting allows me to slow down and focus on the moment at hand.
Can you briefly introduce yourself and share what makes you or your brand unique?
Hi there! I’m Bess Garcia, the Owner and Operator behind Aurora Creative, LLC. The heart of Aurora Creative is Aurora Photography, named after my oldest daughter, who inspired me to follow my passion of artistically documenting stories.
At Aurora Photography, my primary focus is on capturing the beauty and emotions of weddings and engagements. I believe every couple has a unique love story, and my goal is to document that story in a way that’s as timeless and beautiful as the day itself. From the candid moments to editorial portraits, I strive to create a visual narrative that tells the full story of your special day.
In addition to weddings and engagements, I also offer lifestyle family sessions. These are designed to celebrate the everyday, joyful moments that make your family unique. My approach to family sessions is rooted in authenticity, where I focus on capturing you and your loved ones exactly as you are—no forced smiles, just the real story of your family connection.
Aurora Photography is a brand that overall blends passion, storytelling, and timeless editorial art.
Amazing, so let’s take a moment to go back in time. What relationship most shaped how you see yourself?
My relationship with my parents strongly shaped my views of myself and my creativity. From a very early age my parents encouraged my artistic ability- whether I was building with rocks and sticks in the back yard or creating tiny sculptures for my friends. My parents gave me the space and freedom to explore what I loved and who I was from early on. As I grew older, those early interests evolved into a passion for painting and photography around middle school. My parents were always my biggest supporters, cheering me on every step of the way. Their unwavering belief in me helped me gain the confidence to pursue the arts and eventually open my own business.
What have been the defining wounds of your life—and how have you healed them?
My mother struggled with mental health and addiction throughout my entire life, and many of those experiences shaped my childhood in ways that left me with a very sad outlook on life. Trusting others was difficult, and I often felt disconnected. During my teenage years and early twenties, I became that typical “angsty,” angry teen, pushing people away and building walls around myself. The idea of being vulnerable or letting anyone into my world was absolutely terrifying.
I turned to art as a form of therapy, a way to communicate the emotions and thoughts I couldn’t express in words. It became my outlet, helping me process feelings I didn’t fully understand. As I’ve gotten older, though, I’ve realized that healing required a lot of inner work. Learning to forgive and letting go of old wounds was difficult but necessary for me to be the mom I want to be for my children. I needed to first heal myself.
Through that journey, I learned that I didn’t have to expect the worst from life. I began to truly appreciate the beauty in the world around me, not just see it. The process wasn’t easy, but it helped me grow in ways I never thought possible. Most importantly, it’s allowed me to show up for my two girls in ways my mom couldn’t be there for me.
So a lot of these questions go deep, but if you are open to it, we’ve got a few more questions that we’d love to get your take on. What are the biggest lies your industry tells itself?
In the South Florida wedding scene, there’s a widespread belief that all clients want the same generic style of wedding photography. Something bright, airy, and heavily posed or dramatic, wide angles, with off camera flash. Many professionals fall into this trap, assuming that every couple is looking for the same type of imagery. But the truth is, each couple brings their own unique personality, preferences, and cultural background to their wedding day, and that should be reflected in the way their story is captured. The idea that there’s a one-size-fits-all approach is not only misleading, but it oversimplifies the richness of what wedding photography truly should be. Every photographer is an artist, bringing their own perspective and creative insight to how they document weddings.
Okay, we’ve made it essentially to the end. One last question before you go. Are you doing what you were born to do—or what you were told to do?
I am absolutely doing what I was born to do. I truly love documenting and creating for couples. Not many people can claim to truly love what they do for a living and I feel very fortunate to be able to say that without hesitation.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.AuroraPhotographyFL.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/auroraphotographymiami
Image Credits
Dani Napert Photography
