Where are you from originally and how long have you lived in Houston?
Rita Davis: I was born and raised in Brazil. However, when I was 21 years old I moved to Los Angeles California, where I lived for almost 20 years. Last year, when my husband and I found ourselves pregnant with our third baby, we decided to move to Houston, where he is originally from and where his parents still live.
I thought that moving to Houston would allow me to take a “step back” from working 24/7 and enjoy motherhood. However, it hasn’t quite worked out like that since I decided to open a photography studio here three months after we moved here.
How many children do you have?
We have three amazing kids. Lyla is 5, Lana is 3, and Luke just turned 1.
One thing people would be surprised to know about you…
One thing people would be surprised to know about me is that my kids profoundly dislike taking pictures. I have to promise, and often times bribe them, to take just one photo in which they smile.
Favorite local things to do in Houston?
I have now been in Houston for a little over 1 1/2 years. My favorite thing to do in Houston is to pile my kids in the car and go scouting for new and interesting locations to take pictures. These little trips get us to know the city in a whole different way. I love photographing at the Arboretum or the Buffalo Bayou, both are awesome places for a nature/natural photoshoot. Sabine Park with downtown Houston as a backdrop is also unbeatable!
Funniest shortcut/routine for helping you through parenthood?
My most effective “mom shortcut” is to sing happy birthday. I know it sounds weird but every time that my youngest is having a tantrum, I start singing happy birthday and he starts laughing, clapping and suddenly we all forget what was going on. At times it’s been a lifesaver.
Are you involved in a business venture, a local organization, a creative endeavor, or in the corporate world? Please share!
I own my own business, Forever Baby Photography, which specializes in newborn, children and maternity photography. I really enjoy newborn and children photography since I love the idea of capturing those subtle, fleeting moments in a child’s ongoing development so that families can cherish them again and again. I also donate my time to Preemie Prints, which is a nonprofit organization that supports families who have a baby born prematurely or critically ill. Upon a family’s request, I go to the hospital or the family’s home after the baby has been discharged from the neonatal intensive care unit to capture the powerful emotions and fighting spirit of both baby and family.
How has this community been instrumental in getting you to where you are now?
One thing that has been great about living in Houston is that there is a definite sense of community; for such a big city, it feels very local. As a small business owner, local word of mouth is critical to my business, so I rely on this community 100% to help grow my business. And because it is such a tight community, I feel even more motivated to provide the best service I can to ensure that my clients will never be disappointed.