Meet Kelly Maret

We’re excited to introduce you to the always interesting and insightful Kelly Maret. We hope you’ll enjoy our conversation with Kelly below.

Kelly, so excited to have you with us today. So much we can chat about, but one of the questions we are most interested in is how you have managed to keep your creativity alive.

As a photographer, I rely on creativity with everything I do, so I’m constantly thinking about how to approach shoots differently: different lighting, editing styles, experimenting with composition, storytelling, locations, or creative direction. Every project is so unique, and creativity is what allows me to bring that to life.

When I shifted from passion to profession, a new layer of pressure was added. Suddenly, what I used to do “whenever I felt inspired” became something I had to deliver on constantly. And that’s when I realized that you can’t rely on inspiration or creativity to strike at the perfect moment. So I had to learn to work with my creativity’s natural rhythm, its ebbs and flows.

Over time, I’ve come to accept that creativity isn’t constant, and it can’t be forced. When I feel inspired, I lean into it completely and I create as much as I can. But when I find myself in a creative rut, I try not to panic and to trust the cycle. That’s when I will take a step back, rest, and turn to things that reconnect me to my creativity, like books, writing, music, or other artists. I also find a lot of inspiration in my day to day life, like connecting with people, moments in nature, or conversations that shift my perspective.

When I’m truly present and grounded, I find that creativity returns naturally. For me, staying creative is less about producing constantly, and more about staying curious, connected, and open to the world around me (and I learned to keep lists on my phone or journal, just in case an idea pops up out of nowhere).

Thanks for sharing that. So, before we get any further into our conversation, can you tell our readers a bit about yourself and what you’re working on?

I’m a photographer and creative entrepreneur, and the founder of Make Social, a Luxembourg-based branding and photography agency. What started as a passion has evolved into a full-time business and a deeper mission: helping people and brands tell their story in a visually authentic and compelling way that makes them excited about putting themselves out there.

What excites me most about what I do is the storytelling and personal branding. Whether I’m working with a brand, a small business, or a creative professional, I get to visually translate who they are, their essence, values, and vision, into something tangible. For me, that’s the best part about this job (and super powerful).

I’ve had the opportunity to work with incredible people across different countries, like Portugal and Luxembourg. Some of the most meaningful feedback I receive is: “I’m seeing myself in a way I never thought possible” or “I have a clear vision of my brand for the first time”. Knowing that my photography empowers them to go after their goal is what drives me. When working with brands, that’s where my strong background in marketing comes in, because for me it’s never just about creating beautiful images but always about strategy, intention, and creating images that convert and connect with their audiences. I try to bring curiosity and a strong sense of connection into every project, which shapes both the creative process and the relationships I build with my clients.

One of the most exciting developments in the photography side of Make Social is the recent launch of my print store. Seeing people choose my work to hang in their homes and experiencing my photos in physical, printed form, has been incredibly rewarding and something I am extremely grateful for. There’s something special about bringing your digital work into the tangible world.

There is so much advice out there about all the different skills and qualities folks need to develop in order to succeed in today’s highly competitive environment and often it can feel overwhelming. So, if we had to break it down to just the three that matter most, which three skills or qualities would you focus on?

The three most impactful qualities in my journey have all been mindset related, because mindset is the foundation of everything:

1. Getting comfortable with fear and failure – They’re inevitable, so learning to face them and even use them in your favor is very helpful.
2. Take up space and share your work – Put yourself and your work out there, talk about what you do, even when it feels uncomfortable, it may open doors you didn’t expect. People will often refer you, support you, or connect you with new opportunities.
3. Don’t put yourself in a box – I used to limit myself by trying to fit into a narrow role, but embracing the fact that we’re multifaceted brings more value to both yourself and your clients. You might surprise yourself, so leave room for that to happen.

For anyone starting out, my advice would be: be okay withing starting out messy, stay open, and build from a place of curiosity. Don’t be afraid to reinvent yourself.

What was the most impactful thing your parents did for you?

One of the most important things my parents did for me from a young age was to encourage me to follow my own path and never imposed a specific ideal or career, they’ve just let me figure it out. They cared more about me approaching life with a positive and resilient mindset, no matter what I chose to pursue. They always reminded me to believe in myself, especially when facing challenges, and to trust that “everything will work out.” That perspective has taken a lot of pressure off and given me the confidence to try new things, even at the risk of failure. I learned that failure is nothing to be afraid of but part of everyone’s journey, that’s something I’m especially grateful for now.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.make-social.com/
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/kellymarphoto/
• Other: Print Store: https://kellymarphoto.darkroom.com/

Image Credits

@matilde.shoot and @about.oce