Meet Maya Melvin

Alright – so today we’ve got the honor of introducing you to Maya Melvin. We think you’ll enjoy our conversation, we’ve shared it below.

Hi Maya, great to have you with us today and excited to have you share your wisdom with our readers. Over the years, after speaking with countless do-ers, makers, builders, entrepreneurs, artists and more we’ve noticed that the ability to take risks is central to almost all stories of triumph and so we’re really interested in hearing about your journey with risk and how you developed your risk-taking ability.

By embracing fear.

”I’m afraid all the time, but I’m not afraid of anything.” – Maya Angelou

I never truly saw myself as a risk-taker, not in the past. My early adolescence and teenage years felt like wandering through a dense fog, where clarity was obscured by what I now recognize as anxiety and an insidious, deep-rooted fear of rejection. I meticulously mapped out my life, every detail dictated with precision—from the college I had to attend to the exact number of children I envisioned having and the timeline for it all. I was convinced that everyone around me held the answers to my life’s path, so I choked down my intuition and stifled my creativity. I wasn’t living my life for myself; I was merely existing for others, and I wore my obedience like a badge of honor.

Then, just days after I celebrated my 25th birthday, my world shattered when my mom passed away. In that painful moment, I was thrust into the ultimate existential crisis: Who am I truly living for? It really got me thinking deeply, making me take a good look at all the choices I’ve made and bringing to light those forgotten parts of myself that I had set aside. Gradually, the fog started to lift, giving me a clearer picture of who I really could be. I came to understand that the trick to overcoming the anxiety that comes with taking risks is to face my fears directly. Fear of judgment, fear of failure, fear of rejection—all of these feelings are part of the journey!

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

I’m a freelance photographer and budding videographer living in Richmond, VA, but I have my roots in North Carolina. I’m excited to connect and grow my clientele and community in Richmond and the nearby areas. My passion lies in telling stories through captivating imagery and celebrating the beauty all around us. Every click of the shutter transforms into a canvas of stories, vibrant and alive, woven into each moment. My photography covers a range of genres, including nature, concerts, events, and portraits, and my small business, Memories In Motion, specializes in day-of-event content creation for all events. We create gorgeous visual stories that match each client’s personal style and dive right into the vibe of each event to capture those real moments and little details you might miss.

I am also the owner of Beverly Heals LLC, a women-led and LGBTQIA+ friendly independent networking business hub, named after my late mother, where our focus is on fostering community and connection. We welcome creators from all walks of life to join us in building a diverse and inclusive space. If you’re a photographer, writer, podcaster, artist, florist, musician, marketing manager, budding content creator, or poet, you’ll find a supportive environment here. We provide a central hub where creativity can flourish and collaboration happens naturally, all without any membership dues or fees. This way, everyone has the opportunity to connect and grow together.

We’re excited to collaborate with fellow creatives who share our vision of building a nurturing network!

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?

I always joke with my friends that I should print this on a T-shirt! The first thing on my list is definitely to leave your hometown! Even if it’s just for 1-2 years, you don’t know what you don’t know. Exploring other cities, states, and countries can really change how you view the world and shape what’s important in your life. It helps you gain those outside perspectives and diversify your network.

Number two is that change is your friend. I believe that we are all meant to evolve both physically and mentally, and over time certain aspects of ourselves are supposed to shed. It is up to us to recognize when it’s time to do so. Sometimes we can get in our own way, but it’s important to remember to embrace change in whatever package it comes in.

Number three would be to create for yourself first. Bottom line. It can be easy to get swept away by trends, other people’s opinions, or how you think others see you. Manage your energy, not your time. That’s why setting some boundaries is super important! It helps protect your creative spirit, especially since many people—friends and family included—are accustomed to the old version of you who may not have prioritized this.

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 looking to work with anyone who loves telling stories through visuals! Whether you have a concert coming up or you’ve just started a business and need some content or ads, I’d love to help. You can reach me on Instagram at @mel.pht0 or email at [email protected].

If you’re interested in connecting, collaborating, or sponsoring Beverly Heals, check out welcmetobeverlyheals.xyz!

Contact Info:

• Website: https://readymag.website/mel.mediacollection/
• Instagram: @mel.pht0
• Other: https://welcmetobeverlyheals.xyz/