Jade and Mauricio Fuentes turned their love for vintage vehicles into a small side business.

The Virginia Beach couple, high school sweethearts and real estate agents with Rose & Womble Realty, owned their share of antique cars, but it was a 1970 Volkswagen bus that won their hearts.

The iconic vehicle has been in high demand for events and photo shoots across the country, as evidenced by photos shared on social media. Armed with a marketing background, Jade Fuentes decided to showcase Isla Photo Bus solely on Instagram in summer 2021.

Now, photographers in both South Hampton Roads and on the Peninsula regularly book the completely restored and refurbished vehicle for shoots.

Freshly painted a classic Bahama blue, the interior of the bus maintains a neutral color scheme with cozy blankets, pillows and poofs.

“It’s worked out really well for the different themes we do,” Jade Fuentes said.

Beach, boho, maternity, Christmas — you name it, photographers have shot in and around the bus.

“I post Instagram reels, and every time I do, I get three to five inquiries or so,” she said. “It’s a great way to reach people and keeps it personal and manageable to the level we’re scaling right now.”

Photographers Debbie Gray with Gray Seniors and Kelsie Shae Overacre with Kelsie Shae Photography both love to rent Isla for their clients’ shoots. Gray, in business for almost 10 years, said she has been looking for a VW bus to photograph for a long time.

“The minute I saw it, I called her right away because it’s hard to find one,” she said. “Everyone loves it and wants it in their photos.”

Overacre said the owners make the process of renting the van easy. “I always love to support veterans and lovers of old treasures,” she said.

Originally from Northern Virginia, Mauricio Fuentes’ 21-year Marine Corps career took the couple to North Carolina and California before they settled back in their home state in 2018.

Jade Fuentes said she was saddened by the sale of their red 1966 convertible Chevy Corvair before their journey back east. When she spotted a VW bus at a pop-up market in Pasadena, California, she was immediately smitten.

In March 2018, her doting husband found her one in a week’s time.

“It needed to be restored, was a little dirty and rusted out,” she said. “The benches were all torn, and it was missing a top for the sunroof area.”

Mauricio Fuentes, whom Jade jokes is her driver and mechanic, likes to get his hands dirty, and she enjoys the decorating aspect. Together, the couple brought the bus back to life.

“When we’re driving around, we get honks, thumbs up and peace signs,” she said. “It’s something fun. People enjoy seeing it, and now it’s part of memories for families with beautiful photos that come out of it.”

Sandra J. Pennecke, 757-652-5836, sandra.pennecke@insidebiz.com