Meet Mav Mayoral

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

Mav, thank you so much for joining us today. Let’s jump right into something we’re really interested in hearing about from you – being the only one in the room. So many of us find ourselves as the only woman in the room, the only immigrant or the only artist in the room, etc. Can you talk to us about how you have learned to be effective and successful in situations where you are the only one in the room like you?

This has been my reality since I was a kid. I’ve always been different whether it was how I dressed, walked, talked, or the fact that I didn’t really have male friends when I still identified as a boy. Being myself wasn’t always easy, but it taught me a lot.

My family helped me feel confident in that difference, even as immigrants from small, traditional, and conservative villages in Oaxaca, like San Bartolo Coyotepec (known for their black pottery), they questioned societal norms and supported me in experimenting with my expression. That confidence gave me the strength to stand out, even when it made me an easy target.

Over time, I learned that the nonsense filters itself out, and the right people will find you. I’ve been told that what draws people to me is my “aura” whether it’s through my art or my sense of expression, I’ve honed it enough to feel like me. People will say, “That is so Mav!” and that’s been a big part of how I’ve found success… by leaning into my difference instead of hiding it.

It hasn’t been easy. I’ve had to unlearn a lot of internalized hatred and heal from the ways the world made me feel small. But now, as someone who identifies as nonbinary transfemme and has been transitioning for two years, I prioritize queerness in my art. I’m working on a zine right now documenting an old friend’s transition from 2020 to 2024. We used to be partners, so it’s full of intimate and candid moments, which is what I always prioritize in my photography.

Being the only one in the room who looks like me has taught me to embrace what makes me different and turn it into something recognizable, powerful, and entirely my own.

Great, so let’s take a few minutes and cover your story. What should folks know about you and what you do?

My work is tied to my identity and values. Right now, my focus is on creating art that prioritizes queerness, celebrates authenticity, and gives space to voices and stories that don’t always get the spotlight. One of the projects I’m most excited about is a zine I’m working on. It documents an old friend’s transition from 2020 – 2024 and is full of intimate, candid moments. We used to be partners during the making of the project, so there’s this layer of trust and closeness that makes it feel really personal, and that’s exactly the kind of energy I want to carry into everything that I do.

I’m now stepping into fashion photography, which feels like a natural extension of myself. I want to keep the same values like centering queerness and celebrating femininity in men, but also push for more representation. I’ve been reaching out to modeling agencies for test shoots, and while that’s all been very exciting, I’ve noticed how much is still missing in terms of diversity. I want to create spaces where community comes first and where everyone feels like they belong.

I just want my work to feel honest and connected, with whatever comes next. I hope it inspires people to see themselves and that their stories are worth celebrating.

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?

I think one of the most important things I’ve learned is to absorb as much physical media as possible. There’s a lot out there that range from books, self published magazines, and photo archives from around the world which you just can’t find online, It’s a whole nother world of inspiration waiting to be discovered! It has shaped how I see things and approach my work.

If I had to give advice to someone who is just starting out, I’d say:
1) Don’t be scared to take up space.
2) Find your people, because having a community with like minded individuals makes all the difference.
3)Push yourself to explore things outside of your bubble, and let it shape your style and story.

One of our goals is to help like-minded folks with similar goals connect and so before we go we want to ask if you are looking to partner or collab with others – and if so, what would make the ideal collaborator or partner?

I’m currently looking to work with artists of all kinds and models with similar interests and values! We can connect via social media or email.

Contact Info:

• Instagram: user__mav
• Other: Website is a WIP.
  email: mayoralmav@gmail.com

Image Credits

Taken by Mav Mayoral