Macie Eliza Photos: A Fresh Chapter in 2025

Hi Everyone,

My name is Macie Torres, and I am here to start over completely! Life has been crazy for the past year. I have put my heart and soul into other projects, and now that they are done, I am starting back at square one. A new introduction might help.

I am a Texas photographer located in Fort Worth. Photography was never meant to become a "real" job for me. I started taking pictures with my mom's Canon Rebel T6 during family functions, and I loved it! It was so fun to capture everyone's smile, and when I took pictures, I felt like I could feel the moment again. I recognized the beauty in capturing vulnerability and how important it is to feel the moment. From there, my passion and skills have blossomed into a side business. In 2024, I attempted to run my photography business full-time while finishing my bachelor's degree but eventually stepped down to ensure I was not burning myself out. I took a step back from June 2024 to January 2025 from photography due to school and personal struggles.

2024 was a busy and emotionally demanding year for me. The year started great. I was traveling around Texas and doing great in all my classes, and I moved into the cutest place with my boyfriend of 5 years. It was amazing until it wasn't. To cut the long story short, I had the world’s craziest boss. Although it was great to be paid, I began a horrible cycle of suppressing my stress. Luckily, I started an internship with a non-profit named Leia’s Kids. This relieved me and gave me joy back into my busy life.

In August of 2024, my world was crashing in, and I wanted it to look like I was okay on the outside, but again, I was stressed to my limit. I was diagnosed with shingles. Shingles typically show up in patients 60 or older or those with a weakened immune system, but in my case, it was caused by stress. My shingles went away, and I began stepping back from my job when I was given the most painful news: my aunt, who was battling cancer, was going to move forward with hospice for her end-of-life care. I felt alone and thought I had to pull it all together. I got to spend two beautiful days with her after this decision was made. On Sunday, August 25, I got a text message from my dad, who was at the hospital with my aunt, that we should all make our way there because it was time for her to go.

I spent the next few hours surrounded by family. We were all there together as my aunt entered heaven's gate and felt no more pain. It was an honor to be part of her journey. I helped plan my aunt's celebration of life service and used my grief to help families during my internship time. I started a subbing job and took a break from photos. I wanted to focus on graduating at this point and let life slow down. In December, I graduated with my bachelor's degree and could not be happier! There truly is joy in chaos. There have been some bumps in 2025, but there is nothing I can't handle now. I have returned and am excited to be involved in my photography business again. Macie Eliza Photos has captured some truly amazing moments this summer so far. I am blessed and love my life, and I say that as I am currently typing this blog with shingles again!

Follow me along on this journey called life. My blogs are opportunities to share moments from my life and the world of photography. Thank you for reading.

Cheers,

Macie Torres

In Honor of My Debbie.

In June 2024, I began an internship that truly changed my life. Through that experience, I learned the importance of speaking up for those who cannot and came to understand the parts of cancer that no one talks about. The internship was with a nonprofit called Leia’s Kids, founded by Leia Hunt, a two-time cancer survivor on a mission to bring hope and joy to families battling childhood cancer.

The world of cancer is complex, heartbreaking, and often isolating.

In August, my aunt passed away after her brave journey with cancer, and I am still learning how to live with that grief. Her passing was so unexpected. I still remember running through my old school, joyfully telling my principal and the office staff that no cancer had been found in her body. A year later, she was gone.

During my time at Leia’s Kids, I gained a deeper understanding of what so many families face. Cancer does not discriminate, and there is such a great need for more research, support, and compassion. Everything I do now is in honor of the angels we’ve lost.

I’m currently working on a special project to honor cancer warriors of all ages, and I cannot wait to share it with you soon.

Please remember to spend time with your loved ones. Take the extra two minutes to call, make them take the picture, and listen to the story they’ve told you a hundred times. One day, you’ll wish for it all again.

To those who have walked or are walking through a similar journey, I see you.