Meet Maribel Martinez

We were lucky to catch up with Maribel Martinez recently and have shared our conversation below.

Hi Maribel, thanks for sharing your insights with our community today. Part of your success, no doubt, is due to your work ethic and so we’d love if you could open up about where you got your work ethic from?

My work ethic comes from the generations of powerful women who raised me. I grew up watching my mom do the impossible on a daily basis. She had seven kids and raised us on her own, while working full-time and providing everything she could with so much love. There was never a day she slowed down, never a moment where she let us feel the weight of how hard things were for her. Her strength was quiet but constant, and her productivity was almost magical. As a child, I didn’t realize what I was witnessing — but as an adult, it inspires me every single day. Whenever I feel overwhelmed, I tell myself, “If my mother could handle all of that and still show up for seven kids, I can handle this.”

And then there’s my Grandma. At 70 years old, she’s still going strong — honestly, she seems twenty years younger than her actual age because she’s never stopped moving, creating, or hustling. Watching her live with so much energy and purpose has always reminded me that drive runs deep in our family.

I truly come from a lineage of resilient, hardworking women. Their examples built the foundation of who I am and why I push myself to be the best I can be every single day.

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 based in Dallas, Texas, and my journey into photography is deeply personal. I became a mom eight years ago, and like so many new parents, I wanted to capture every moment of my daughter’s life — every smile, every milestone, every piece of her growing up. I bought a camera simply to take better photos of her, and somewhere in those quiet everyday moments, I completely fell in love with photography.

What started as a way to document my daughter’s childhood slowly turned into a passion, and eventually a business. Photography became my outlet, my creative space, and a way for me to tell meaningful stories — especially for women and families who want to remember the beauty in both the big moments and the small ones.

What excites me most about my work is the emotional side of it. I’m an emotional, caring, thoughtful person by nature, and I think that shows in my photos. I love creating images that feel warm, intimate, and nostalgic — the kind of photos that make you stop, breathe, and feel something. I want my clients to look back at their galleries and see not just a picture, but a moment they can relive.

Professionally, I’m focused on continuing to grow my photography business — taking on more sessions, refining my style, and eventually expanding into more creative projects. I’m also passionate about making photography feel comfortable and fun for my clients, especially people who think they’re “not photogenic.” I love guiding them, hyping them up, and helping them feel beautiful and confident in front of the camera.

In the future, I’m planning to expand with new services, seasonal mini sessions, and more behind-the-scenes content for social media. I want to continue building a brand that feels warm, inviting, and true to who I am — a brand that reflects the joy and heart that first inspired me to pick up a camera in the first place.

Looking back, what do you think were the three qualities, skills, or areas of knowledge that were most impactful in your journey? What advice do you have for folks who are early in their journey in terms of how they can best develop or improve on these?

Looking back, the three qualities that shaped my journey the most were patience, consistency, and heart.

1. Patience
Photography — and honestly, life — has taught me patience in every way. When I first started, nothing looked the way I imagined. My photos weren’t perfect, my ideas didn’t always translate, and learning my camera took time. But being a mom, being open about my anxiety, and learning to slow down helped me realize that growth doesn’t happen overnight.
My advice: Give yourself grace. You can’t compare your day one to someone else’s year five. Let yourself practice, make mistakes, and enjoy the process without rushing it.

2. Consistency
If I’ve learned anything, it’s that consistency beats motivation every time. Between working, being a parent, dealing with life, and trying to build a photography career, there were days I didn’t feel inspired — but I still showed up. I practiced, studied, edited, learned new techniques, and kept pushing. Those small, steady steps eventually turned into real progress.
My advice: Stay consistent, even when you don’t feel “ready.” Pick up your camera often, keep learning, and keep creating. Momentum comes from showing up again and again.

3. Heart (Emotional Connection)
This is the biggest one for me. I’m naturally an emotional, thoughtful, caring person — and instead of hiding that, I learned to let it lead my work. My favorite photos are the ones that feel like something. The ones that capture a moment of real connection, tenderness, joy, or vulnerability. My heart is what makes my images special, and I embrace that now.
My advice: Lean into who you are. Your personality is part of your art. Whether you’re emotional, funny, introverted, or bold — let that show. Authenticity is what creates your style.

In the end, my journey wasn’t shaped by fancy gear or perfect knowledge — it was shaped by patience, consistency, and staying true to the emotional, caring person I am. And that’s what I tell anyone starting out: be patient, keep showing up, and let your heart guide your work.

Any advice for folks feeling overwhelmed?

When I feel overwhelmed, I disconnect — and I mean truly disconnect. I put my phone down, step away from the noise, and come back to my faith. Talking to God calms me in a way nothing else can. It reminds me that I’m held, guided, and never alone.

I’ve learned that presence is powerful. When I silence the notifications and quiet the world for a moment, my mind softens too. I breathe, I pray, and I let myself slow down. That simple act of being still — without a screen, without distractions — always brings me back to myself.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://studiomiraphotography.mypixieset.com
• Instagram: @studiomiraphotography