On this week’s episode of Building Loved Businesses, I sat down with someone whose work quietly shapes the way families and businesses show up in the world.
Wezz De La Rosa isn’t just a photographer and videographer—he’s a storyteller who helps people feel seen, confident, and connected long before they ever step in front of his camera.
Today, Wes runs a thriving photography business serving families, nonprofits, and companies across the Quad Cities. But his path to becoming a full-time creative entrepreneur began long before he ever owned a camera.
Where It All Started: A Childhood Surrounded by Images
As a kid, Wezz spent afternoons visiting his mom at the print shop where she worked—back in the days before digital cameras took over the world.
Local photographers would drop off their rolls of film, and she’d proudly show him the images she was developing that week: weddings, seniors, family portraits.
Those moments planted something in him.
Seeing photographs come alive was magic.
And even though Wes didn’t know it then, that magic would eventually shape his career.
From Optical Tech to Photographer: Finding the Courage to Go All In
Wezz’s first career was in optical—making prescription glasses, selling eyewear, and working in the nonprofit space. Photography was just a fun side hobby at the time. He captured photos of nieces, nephews, friends. People kept telling him he was good. He kept brushing it off.
In 2017, he finally started treating it like a business.
But it wasn’t until 2023—after years of fear, hesitation, and almost taking the leap before COVID shut everything down—that he committed fully.
“There’s never a perfect moment. At some point, you just have to bet on yourself.”
Like most entrepreneurs, Wes had to balance logic with passion. Bills need to get paid, uncertainty is real, but waiting for a 100% guarantee means waiting forever.
Why Great Photography Matters for Businesses
Wezz now works heavily with local businesses—helping them show professionalism, credibility, and warmth through high-quality photos and video.
Could you just take iPhone headshots? Sure.
Should you? Probably not.
“When a business only uses phone photos, it reads like they just started two weeks ago. Professional photography shows you care about your team and your clients.”
In a world where younger generations visit websites and social feeds before they ever step foot inside a business, visuals create comfort. They help customers know what to expect, who they’ll meet, and whether they’re walking into a place they can trust.
One of Wezz’s clients—a medical office expanding into aesthetics—learned this firsthand. The photography he created helped patients feel safe and confident before walking in for procedures that often feel vulnerable.
Navigating COVID and the Shift From Photographer to Business Owner
When COVID hit, Wezz’s work—entirely on location—came to a sudden halt.
He froze. Everything paused.
But the crisis revealed something important:
He needed stronger systems, processes, and structure if he wanted to build a real, sustainable business.
“I realized I wasn’t running a photography business—I was just taking pictures, editing them, and sending them. I needed to build the actual business behind it.”
Cancellations, rescheduling, intake forms—none of that had a process. COVID forced him to rethink everything.
Marketing in a Crowded Industry: What Actually Works
Photography is competitive. There’s no way around that.
So Wezz tried everything:
• vendor shows
• referrals
• ads
• door-to-door flyers
• community events
• nonprofit work
He tracked where clients came from, tallied everything, and used the data to decide what to keep doing year after year.
But the biggest lesson?
“Being visible in the community matters more than anything online. People want to meet you, talk with you, feel comfortable with you.”
Those one-on-one conversations often turn skeptics who “hate being photographed” into next-week bookings.
The Turning Point: Hiring a Virtual Assistant
As demand grew, Wezz hit a breaking point. He was stretched thin—answering emails, texts, calls—while also trying to stay present with clients.
He knew he needed help.
He also knew he’d waited too long.
Hiring a virtual assistant gave him his time back and allowed him to focus on what only he can do: create, connect, show up.
But it required a mindset shift.
“I had to separate my ego from myself and accept that I can’t do everything. My job became setting her up for success.”
To make it work, he had to document the processes that previously only existed in his head. ChatGPT helped him tighten, clarify, and streamline those steps so his assistant could follow them with confidence.
Growing as a Leader
Wes also invested in himself—taking leadership courses like Líderamos, a Hispanic leadership program in his area.
His willingness to be coached made him a better leader.
It also made him more open to letting his assistant improve the systems he created.
“She has knowledge I don’t have. I had to accept that and meet in the middle.”
What’s Next for Wezz
Looking forward, Wezz is expanding again—this time adding photo booth services for weddings and corporate events.
He’s tightening his structure, refining his processes, and working toward something many entrepreneurs struggle with: work-life balance.
Because the grind builds the business.
But staying in the grind forever breaks it.
He also wants to help more businesses succeed by tailoring his services to their unique goals—not treating everyone with a one-size-fits-all approach.
Advice to His 2017 Self
After years of growth, fear, doubt, and breakthroughs, Wezz keeps his final piece of advice simple:
“It’s worth it. Bet on yourself. Ignore the naysayers—even the one inside you.”
If you want to connect with Wes or explore his work, you can find him here:
Facebook: Wezz DeLaRosa Photography
Website: wezzdelarosafotography.co
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