As the designer of Mamacita Swim, I’m always eagerly waiting for new collections to arrive in the mail—but in June, I felt the pressure. Summer is here, and by this point, many people have already bought their swimsuits. I was anxious to get my pieces out into the world, and the clock was ticking.
Last year, I met Maddie, a professional photographer, while staying at a place with our kids. Our boys hit it off in the pool, and during our chat, I discovered she was a photographer. I immediately knew I’d need her for my next collection. Fast forward to June 2025: Maddie was ready and excited to help shoot the new line.
When I finally received the shipping update that my new collection would arrive within a certain window, I booked tickets and an Airbnb for a photoshoot I had scouted weeks prior. After celebrating my son’s 4th birthday, I went to sleep and woke at 4 a.m. to head to the airport. Flying solo without kids is so much easier—I landed in Cancun by noon, enjoying a coffee in Playa del Carmen before meeting Maddie. She had even arranged a taxi to our Tulum Airbnb. The villa was just as stunning in person as it was online—I was obsessed but still nervous about the shoot ahead.
We had an hour to wait for two moms who were bringing their daughters for photos. In the meantime, we filmed a few behind-the-scenes clips and explored the property. By 5 p.m., the moms, daughters, husbands, and siblings—all toddlers—arrived. I knew we had to work fast to capture their attention, but everything went beautifully. The girls were adorable, and by 7 p.m., we wrapped up. I realized I hadn’t eaten all day from the stress, but it was a huge sigh of relief.
The taxi ride back to Playa del Carmen gave me a moment to breathe. I grabbed some guacamole, chips, and a smoothie, then went to bed. By 6 a.m., I was on the bus back to Cancun and flying home. It was a whirlwind 24 hours, but the photos turned out amazing. As a mom and business owner, experiences like this are both exhilarating and stressful—but moments like these make every bit of effort worth it.