Today we’d like to introduce you to Jani Rogers.
Alright, so thank you so much for sharing your story and insight with our readers. To kick things off, can you tell us a bit about how you got started?
I came to the United States when I was 7 years old, not speaking English and stepping into a world that felt entirely unfamiliar. From a very young age, I had to learn how to navigate a new language, culture, and school system while also trying to find my place within it. My parents didn’t speak English either, so I often became the bridge between two worlds and carried responsibilities far beyond my years while still trying to understand my own identity.
Education quickly became something I held onto tightly. I understood early on the weight of my parents’ sacrifices and the importance of creating opportunities that weren’t always guaranteed. Out of seven siblings, I became the first to graduate high school. I relied heavily on teachers, counselors, tutors, and mentors who believed in me during seasons when I often had to push forward without clear direction or certainty.
Pursuing higher education came with many obstacles, and my path was rarely straightforward. I worked multiple jobs while attending school, constantly figuring out how to move forward in ways that weren’t always traditional. For many years, I navigated uncertainty that made long term planning feel out of reach, but I continued to show up for myself in whatever ways I could.
When I eventually became a permanent resident and later on a naturalized citizen, something shifted. For the first time, I began to feel a sense of stability like I could finally see a light at the end of a long tunnel. The future started to feel less like something I was chasing blindly and more like something I could actually build toward with intention. That sense of possibility carried me forward.
I graduated from Weber State University and later began pursuing Autism Studies at Utah Valley University. During that time, I experienced a miscarriage that deeply shifted my perspective on life. It changed the way I saw time, purpose, and what truly mattered. It also forced me to slow down and reevaluate the direction I thought my life would take.
In 2017, I became a mother to my rainbow baby, and that experience transformed me in ways I never could have prepared for. Motherhood, paired with loss and healing, reshaped my identity and ultimately redirected my path entirely.
In 2018, I started Honey Rogers Photography, specializing in maternity and newborn photography. What began as a creative outlet became a deeply personal calling and a way to honor the fleeting, sacred moments of motherhood that so often go unseen or undocumented. I wanted to create images that made mothers feel seen, valued, and remembered in every season they move through.
Building a business while raising a child came with its own challenges, but doing it as a first-generation Latina entrepreneur added another layer of complexity and growth. There was no clear roadmap, so much of my journey has been shaped by persistence, intuition, and community. A lot of trial and error. I learned how to build something from the ground up while also learning how to trust myself in the process.
This year, being named Best of Salt Lake City felt like a meaningful moment of reflection not just a professional milestone, but a reminder of how far I’ve come from the little girl who once arrived in this country unsure of where she belonged.
Today, my work is rooted in storytelling, connection, and honoring the beauty in everyday moments that become memories far too quickly. More than anything, I hope my journey reminds others that even when the path is uncertain, it can still lead somewhere deeply meaningful.
I’m sure it wasn’t obstacle-free, but would you say the journey has been fairly smooth so far?
It has never been an easy road. Being the first in my family to navigate many of life’s milestones often felt both overwhelming and lonely. There wasn’t a blueprint or someone I could turn to for advice, so I had to figure out everything from college admissions to starting a business through trial, error, and determination. That journey continues today as I balance raising four children while growing a business I’m deeply passionate about. Every season has brought new challenges, but each one has also strengthened my resilience and reinforced why I started in the first place.
As you know, we’re big fans of you and your work. For our readers who might not be as familiar what can you tell them about what you do?
I specializing in maternity, newborn, and family photography. More than taking beautiful photos, I’m passionate about preserving the stories and emotions behind life’s most meaningful milestones.
What I’m most proud of is the experience I create for every family. Having experienced pregnancy loss and motherhood myself, I understand how quickly these moments pass and how meaningful they become. My goal is for every client to feel seen, cared for, and celebrated not just photographed.
What sets me apart is that I approach every session with empathy and intention. I believe photography is about preserving legacy, honoring connection, and creating images that families will cherish for generations. Being named Best of Salt Lake City this year was an incredible honor, but the greatest reward is the trust families place in me to document some of the most important moments of their lives.
Do you have any advice for those just starting out?
Don’t be afraid to try just try! Even if you fail, you’ll learn something, and that lesson is always worth the effort. Every challenge, mistake, and success will help shape the business you’re building.
Your only competition is the person you were yesterday. Stay focused on your vision, keep improving, and don’t feel like you have to be everything to everyone. The right people will connect with you because of who you are.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.honeyrogersphotography.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/honeyrogersphotography
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/share/1BTPDazMbt/?mibextid=wwXIfr
- Other: https://www.tiktok.com/@honeyrogersphotography?_r=1&_t=ZP-97XMDAgRXWI
