Today we’d like to introduce you to Lupita Sanchez.
Hi Lupita, we’d love for you to start by introducing yourself.
My story is hard to tell without first talking about my background, because so much of who I am today comes from where I started.
My name is Lupita. I was born in Mexico and raised in the United States — Rockwall, Texas specifically. My parents brought me here in 1993 when I was just one year old, so Rockwall has always felt like home to me.
Growing up, I was raised with the understanding that life might not come as easily for me because I was an immigrant. That mindset made me incredibly driven from a young age. I was very hard on myself academically all the way through college because I always felt like I had to work twice as hard to create opportunities for myself. When I was finally able to apply for DACA, it honestly changed my life. Suddenly, I was able to experience so many “firsts” that most people take for granted — getting my driver’s license, applying for my first job, and receiving aid to help with school. I remember feeling completely over the moon with gratitude and possibility.
I attended Texas Woman’s University to pursue nursing, but life eventually led me down a different path. At the time, it was difficult because it wasn’t the future my parents had envisioned for their eldest daughter. I also grew up alongside two younger siblings who were born here in the U.S., so our experiences and opportunities looked very different. Watching that contrast shaped me in many ways.
Although I didn’t finish nursing school, I began building a career in the auto finance industry, where I still work full-time today. Over the years, I’ve been able to use my experiences and heritage in meaningful ways, including serving as Chair Member of a Latino engagement resource group within the company. Through that role, I’ve had the opportunity to help create community initiatives both inside the workplace and throughout the Dallas area.
Then the pandemic changed everything.
Like many people, my husband and I suddenly went from working outside the home to navigating life completely differently. During that same time, we welcomed our first baby into the world. Quarantine was isolating, and one of the things that saddened me most was not being able to get professional photos taken of my son.
That moment unexpectedly became the beginning of something beautiful.
A family member loaned me a Nikon camera so I could learn how to take photos myself. I started by photographing my baby, friends, and family members. Little by little, with the help of YouTube, practice, and other photographer friends, my work started becoming more professional.
That’s how The Wandering Lens & Co. was born.
As the business grew, I began teaching my younger sister and my husband how to shoot alongside me, which is where the “& Co.” part of the name comes from. What started as a creative outlet during a difficult season slowly turned into a real business and a true passion.
Today, I still work a traditional Monday–Friday job while running my photography business during evenings and weekends. I always joke with my husband that our business is like one of those hidden hole-in-the-wall taco restaurants — small, humble, but somehow it always hits every time.
Right now, I’ve been especially busy with senior sessions and family photography, and I feel incredibly grateful that clients continue to trust me with such important moments in their lives.
Looking back, I truly believe none of this would have been possible without the work ethic my parents instilled in me. “If there’s a will, there’s a way” has always been our family mantra, and I think my life and business are both reflections of that.
We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
Definitely not a smooth road. Photography looks beautiful from the outside, but there is so much more that goes into it than simply taking a picture.
One of the biggest things I’ve learned is that photography is about understanding light, colors, movement, emotion, and how to make your client feel comfortable in front of the camera. But honestly, the biggest challenge for me has been editing.
Editing is truly an art form on its own, and I now completely understand why photographers take time delivering galleries. Creating a consistent style, learning color grading, fixing lighting issues, and making sure every image feels polished can be incredibly time consuming. Since photography has never been my primary source of income, balancing a full-time career, motherhood, and photography has definitely been challenging at times.
Thankfully, I’ve had amazing mentors and friends along the way. Two photographer friends, Cameron and Abbi, have played such a huge role in my growth. I constantly asked them questions, and they were always willing to guide me toward helpful resources, techniques, and tools. Honestly, so much of what I’ve learned came from their encouragement, YouTube, trial and error, and simply staying willing to learn.
I think one of the reasons I’ve continued growing is because I’ve never pretended to know it all. I still see myself as a student in this business. Photography trends change, technology changes, editing styles evolve, and there is always something new to learn. Most recently, I upgraded to a mirrorless camera system, which has been an exciting challenge on its own. Learning new equipment while still trying to refine my craft has reminded me that growth never really stops and honestly, I think that’s part of what keeps me passionate about photography.
Thanks for sharing that. So, maybe next you can tell us a bit more about your work?
I specialize in lifestyle and portrait photography through my business, The Wandering Lens & Co.. Most of my work includes seniors, families, couples, maternity, and weddings. I would say my style leans very warm, emotional, and storytelling-focused. I love capturing people in a way that still feels natural to them rather than overly posed.
A lot of my clients tell me that what sets me apart is how comfortable I make them feel during sessions. Most people are nervous in front of a camera, so I try to create an environment that feels relaxed and genuine. I joke with my clients a lot, guide them naturally, and really focus on capturing authentic moments instead of perfection.
I think another thing that makes my work unique is that I truly understand the value of photographs beyond just “pretty pictures.” Growing up in an immigrant family, preserving memories always meant so much to us. We may not have had everything, but photos were one thing that allowed us to hold onto moments, milestones, and people we loved. That perspective carries into my work today.
I’m also proud that I’ve built this business mostly through word of mouth while still working a full-time career and raising a family. Everything has grown very organically through community support, referrals, and relationships. My business may be small, but I’m incredibly proud of the trust people place in me to capture some of the most important moments of their lives.
What I’m probably most proud of is that I created something meaningful from a difficult season in life. What started during the pandemic as simply wanting photos of my baby turned into a creative business that now serves so many families and individuals in my community. That still feels surreal to me sometimes.
I also think my willingness to keep learning sets me apart. I never want to become complacent creatively. I’m constantly studying lighting, editing, posing, and new techniques because I genuinely care about continuing to grow and give my clients the best experience possible.
We’d be interested to hear your thoughts on luck and what role, if any, you feel it’s played for you?
I’ve never really viewed my life or business through the lens of luck. My perspective has always been much more faith-based.
To be honest, my journey with faith didn’t truly begin until more recently. Looking back now, though, I can clearly see how God was guiding me through seasons of my life long before I fully recognized Him in them. There were so many moments that could have easily discouraged me or made me give up growing up as an immigrant, navigating DACA, changing career paths, becoming a mother during a pandemic, and building a business from the ground up with very little experience. Yet somehow, even through the uncertainty, doors continued to open.
I think what some people might call “luck,” I personally see as grace, opportunity, and God’s guidance over my life. I’ve always carried the mindset of, “If there’s a will, there’s a way,” but now I also understand the importance of surrender, trust, and faith through the process.
That doesn’t mean the road has been easy. There have absolutely been difficult seasons, moments of self-doubt, financial stress, creative burnout, and times where balancing motherhood, a full time career, and photography felt overwhelming. But even in those moments, I believe God placed the right people in my life to encourage me, teach me, and support me along the way.
So rather than luck, I would say faith, resilience, community, and God’s grace have played the biggest roles in both my life and my business.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://thewanderinglensphotography.mypixieset.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thewanderinglens.photography/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100085017245563
