Today we’d like to introduce you to Hermila Cuevas.
Thanks for sharing your story with us Hermila. So, let’s start at the beginning and we can move on from there.
My journey starts with me dropping out back in 2003 and becoming a mother at an early age. I would stay at home and raise my children for ten years. We struggled and went through some hard times during these years. Finally after a long wait, the last of my five kids were going to school full time. At that time I had no idea what to do with my free time. I asked myself several questions. Is this it? Is this all my life will be is just being a stay at home mother? What kind of role-model am I? Staying at home teaches my girls it’s ok to quit and not finish school to be complacent with the bare minimum.
This bothered me so I started to investigate how I could earn my high school diploma. I found the Eastfield College G.E.D. program this would start a ripple of events I would not see coming. Once I achieved my G.E.D. I wanted more. The taste of education was invigorating, I felt like I can offer more to the world other than just raising an amazing group of kids. During my last couple of semesters, My Professor Oslynn Williams advised I start working small projects and eventually start a small business of my own. Graphic Designers usually freelance and can work at home. This was something that interested me. Working my hours and still being able to be a mom is a dream. Oslynn my professor introduced me to my first client Regina Lanett Brown. Regina would set off an avalanche of events. She would become my first client and also my friend.
I helped create an image for her book cover. I started working on my logo and name. That would just become something simple Mila’s Photography & Design. I have now graduated from Eastfield and transferred over to A&M Commerce to pursue getting my bachelor’s I haven’t decided yet on a major yet I am conflicted between Visual Communication and Commercial Photography. Hopefully, this will help guide me in opening a bigger business. One that works with the community and not at a high price either. I want to be able to offer jobs to some of my good classmates as well who are amazing designers and photographers. When I get big jobs I like hiring them on to get the work done right and beautifully. Little by little my small business will have more than just me and a few friends, The journey is not over yet, I cannot wait to see what the future has in store for me and my colleagues.
Has it been a smooth road?
The road has been pretty bumpy I faced homelessness twice within this journey once before I even started school with my husband and two children. The second time was when I just started my G.E.D. The program and the landlord decided that he wanted to sell his house. He gave us only 30 days to find somewhere to live. We had to pack our whole lives and my kids Christmas presents into storage. Thankfully I had some amazing friends who open their doors and let us stay until we found a home. Ever since then it has been a juggle between school and work and bills to stay afloat. Even now in the present time juggling kids, school, work, and bills has been a struggle. I hope within time after achieving my bachelors I will have more time to dedicate to my business and pick more clients. Even though times get tough I do not lie quitting. I try and push harder and work harder to become successful. My family and friends are what keep me going and encourage me to keep looking ahead the best is yet to come.
We’d love to hear more about your work.
I am a freelance Graphic Designer & Photographer, I created anything from logos, book covers, posters, invitations, and photography. I know for my photography and good design skills. I love being able to capture special moments that at times the family can’t take because they are to busy hosting. I love when I am working with a client and they have this image of what they want their product to look like and once you produce the image seeing their faces light up with delight that their vision is now realized. While I realize that there are other businesses with similar experience, what sets me apart is the real world experience I gained throughout my journey. My journey was focused on delivering solutions that would be put into practical use, and because of that I was able to deliver my best to projects and photoshoots, I was able to integrate detailed work for my clients that they love. Although I am stilling learning, I am always open to advice from other designers and photographers this helping me become a better Graphic Designer and Photographer.
Is our city a good place to do what you do?
Dallas is a booming city and is flourishing well with an abundant amount of small business owners. Plenty of work to go around now that the city is growing in population. Graphic Design is a pretty competitive field but it is always needed and with good pricing, you can pick up clients. Photography is everywhere it would be a bit harder to get yourself out there but with the right networking, you can be great and thrive.
Contact Info:
- Phone: 6822216665
- Email: milasphotographydesigns@gmail.com
- Other: http://eastfieldnews.com/2019/05/08/photo-essay-defining-the-fairytale-sacrifices-struggles-and-independence/
https://issuu.com/theetcetera/docs/fullpaper_3c1565169b7565
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6V9Zmym7fRY&list=FLl3xKplqOQ73R6KlQabvQGg&index=2&t=0s
Image Credit:
Mila’s Photography & Design
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