Meet Yadira Laguerre . . .

Yadira Laguerre

"Impossible is not a fact; it's an opinion. Impossible is not a declaration; it's a dare."

Mohammad Ali

Location: Englewood, NJ

DOB: 3/24

Children: Joshua (3), Juliette (1)

Husband: Pierre

Animals: Only stuffed.

Name of Business:YL Designs

Website: http://www.yadiralaguerre.com/

Blog:  http://www.designsyl.blogspot.com/

Facebook:  http://www.facebook.com/pages/YL-Designs/74590308664

Twitter: yldesigns

Email: yadlag@gmail.com

What's in your bag? (if you are building your bag, what do you desire for your bag?)

An old skool Canon 20D, some cheesy flash, 50mm 1.8 and 28-135 3.5. Building my bag with a Canon 5d Mk II, 550EX Flash, 70-200 2.8 and 85 1.2.

What's your favorite editing software?

Photoshop. Hands down. Love it.

Favorite Food?

Indian - all kinds.

Favorite Color?

All shades of blue.

A few of your favorite things?

The beach, journaling, singing/song writing, dancing, ice cream.

What or who inspires you?

My pastor, hearing the Word preached, NYC

Name something you just have to have everyday:

Facebook. It's an addiction.

Tell us all about your journey into the world of photography. When did you realize that this is what you wanted to do and why.

My son was turning 1 and we were going to take him to get his portraits "professionally" done at Sears or something. My husband suggested that since I loved photography so much I should turn our spare room into a photo studio and do the portraits myself, and that maybe I could make a business out of it. I started doing the research and realized for the first time that the world of DSLRs was a far cry from point and shoots, but I was game to learn. Within weeks my camera equipment was given to me and we found studio lights on ebay. I took my son's portraits (they were horrible), learned the ins and outs of photography from online forums and built my portfolio.

If you already have a photography business please tell us about it, type of photography you do, how long you have been doing it, etc...

My business is YL Designs. It was originally just graphic design for businesses (logos, brochures, flyers, business cards, etc) but evolved into photography in 2008. I say that I am a Portrait and Wedding Photographer for the funky, eclectic, artistic and lovely =)

Who is your favorite photographer that you follow and why?

Like many, I absolutely love David Jay and Jasmine Star. They were the first photographers I came across who really broke the mold of photographers I had seen and made me feel like it was possible to be authentically me in this business. I can't say enough about them and their success is a true testament to the amount of people they have helped succeed.

Besides photography, what else do you do , i.e. work, domestic engineer, volunteer?

I run a non-profit organization called Point of Creation (POC). It is a dynamic and encouraging community of artistic, business minded Christian women who inspire, mentor and equip one another to leave a legacy. We will be having our very first weekend women's retreat this summer. Check out www.poc-retreat.yadiralaguerre.com for more details!

What are some of your other hobbies and/or things that you like to do besides photography?

I was really into digital scrapbooking for a while. That pretty much stopped when I launched my business, but it's so fun! I love to read Dale Carnegie, Seth Godin, Kim Kiyosaki and others like them.

Do you have any other businesses that you are incorporating and/or combining in your photography business or that is separate other than photography?

Graphic design/art is incorporated, but I have all sorts of business ideas apart from photography that will come to fruition in the near future. I absolutely plan on writing books as well and developing a POC Academy.

If there is one thing in the world that you would like to change, what would that be and why?

The educational system in America. Public schools are so disparate from city to city, state to state. We have really fallen behind as a nation and it will hurt us in the future. Not to mention that children are not being taught essential things they need as adults in this country - money management and investment, leadership and entrepreneurial skills, discovering their innate giftings and callings, etc.

Name three things you would like to do before you die?

I want to open POC Academies all over the country. I want to travel the world with my family. I want to accomplish everything I was put here to accomplish - and see my husband/children do the same.

List three goals you would like to accomplish in 2010:

1. Publish my first book. 2. Have this1st POC Women's Retreat be successful. 3. Hit my goal weight =)

Please tell us about the photos you are submitting and why they are your favorites.

It's always difficult for me to choose photos that I think represent my work. I love capturing emotion and details, as well as drama and opposites in my photographs.

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***HAPPY BIRTHDAY YADIRA***

What a perfect day to get to know you better! 
Thanks for participating in the Spotlight. 

It was really nice to hear how you started out with photography and your future plans. 

I wish you lots of luck with your first women's retreat and your photography business this year!