From Santo Domingo to Montreal: A Creative Evolution

Raised in the capital city of the Dominican Republic, Keyris studied advertising at university—a rigorous, multidisciplinary program that taught her everything from drawing and manual photography to business planning and post-production. She later pursued a master’s degree in commercial management and climbed the ranks of corporate marketing, eventually leading Delta Airlines’ marketing department for the Caribbean.

But the demands of that career—especially during hurricane season—left her craving a life with more balance, and more heart. Photography had always been a part of her world, whether capturing family reunions or documenting her grandfather’s final birthday. After years of shooting portraits and events on the side, she decided to go all-in.

“I remember visiting my dad after moving to Canada,” she says. “He showed me old home videos and photos he’d saved, and I saw the joy it brought him. That was a turning point. I realized I wanted to create that feeling for other people too.”

Building a Business Around Connection

In Montreal, Keyris began rebuilding her business from the ground up—learning to navigate a new culture, new expectations, and a new market. Imposter syndrome crept in, especially early on. “I wasn’t sure if my style would resonate here,” she admits. “But I put together a portfolio, launched my profiles, and started getting bookings. The feedback surprised me—clients weren’t just happy with the photos. They were excited about the experience.”

Today, her approach is guided by both technical precision and human connection. Her style leans dark and moody, but what clients remember most is how she made them feel.

“They say they had fun,” she says. “That I made them laugh. That I helped them feel comfortable in front of the camera—even when it was their first photoshoot. That matters more to me than anything.”

As a trilingual photographer fluent in Spanish, English, and French, Keyris is especially proud of the space she’s creating for Latinx couples and multicultural families in Quebec. “A lot of people want a photographer who speaks their language—literally. It makes a big difference on a fast-paced wedding day. And emotionally, it’s meaningful to feel understood.”

A New Niche: Dominican Destination Weddings for Canadian Couples

While she’s built a strong client base in Montreal and Ottawa, Keyris is now preparing to offer something few Canadian photographers can: destination wedding coverage in the Dominican Republic, backed by local knowledge and cultural fluency.

“I grew up there. I know the resorts. I know the hidden photo locations. And I still have family there,” she explains. “I can help couples feel safe, supported, and seen—on and off the resort.”

It’s a move that makes strategic sense. She’s not just bilingual—she’s bicultural, with the credibility to navigate both Canadian expectations and Caribbean realities. And she sees a gap in the market: “A lot of couples don’t trust resort photographers, and I get it. Having a dedicated photographer who knows the culture and speaks your language changes everything.”

Looking Ahead

Keyris may describe herself as goal-oriented—and she is. She tracks her metrics. She runs her own Meta ads. She’s building out her blog for SEO. But beneath the structure is a deep emotional drive: to help people hold onto life’s most important moments.

“I want my clients to look back on their photos and feel what they felt in that moment,” she says. “That joy, that connection, that sense of ‘we’re really here, together.’ That’s what I’m always chasing.”

Website: keyrisrodriguez.com
Instagram: @keyris_rodriguez