We were lucky to catch up with Maiya Michelle recently and have shared our conversation below.
Maiya , thanks so much for taking the time to share your insights and lessons with us today. We’re particularly interested in hearing about how you became such a resilient person. Where do you get your resilience from?
Throughout my life, I’ve always faced challenges that forced me out of my comfort zone or pushed me through the situation. In all those moments, I’m reminded that I am like clay you are supposed to be stretched and pressed into the person God made you to be. I’m so resilient because I know what I’m capable of I know what God has in store for me, so that’s what keeps me grounded. Being resilient is not an easy thing, honestly, it’s about your mindset at the end of the day and how you handle your thoughts and actions during tribulations. I always do my best to keep my spirits high and surround myself with people who will give me pick me up when I’m down. I think of my resilience as the saying “It’s not on me; it’s in me.”
Great, so let’s take a few minutes and cover your story. What should folks know about you and what you do?
If you have not come across my work before or just have not seen me before. My name is Maiya Michelle, and I’ve been a photographer and creative director for almost 4 years now. At first, I didn’t know whether or not I wanted to do photography, but I am always grateful that things aligned in a way that led me down this path to do something I love and enjoy. Art has been a part of my life for as long as I could remember, so it truly is a way for me to express myself. My art is a reflection of my constantly evolving creativity. I like to keep my audience thinking and questioning things about this world and themselves. In the pieces I’ve made, I strive to inspire other artists and hope that it sparks a fire in them to continue to do what they love. The world needs you and your art more than you know. So, for any viewers reading, I am based in Dallas. Texas, I travel as well. I specialize in Fashion and conceptual work, but I’ve also done brand and portrait work. If you’re interested in working, I’d love to bring your vision to life.
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?
What I believe to be impactful skills to have is. Communication, editing, and practice. Your communication skills will take you far in anything you do. I do my best to be open will clients and have several conversations with them. To ensure that I understand their vision and that we are equally getting what need out of working together. Another important skill to work on is editing skills, for any of you looking into starting a photography business. Improving your editing skills will be essential to you. The number of photos you will have to edit at one time will be overwhelming at times, but understanding your artistic look early on will be benefitable to you. Also, as you grow in your profession you want to produce the highest quality photos as possible. The last skill goes hand and hand with both of the other skills which is practice. Going out and practicing your photography, editing, and commutation skills will improve your abilities drastically. It’s imperative to take as much free time to go out to take photos or network with people. That way you’re learning and making mistakes along the way, so you know what to do for the future.
How would you describe your ideal client?
My ideal client would be someone who wants to get out of their comfort zone. I like bringing others’ visions to life and expanding on them. Anyone who is open to ideas and allows me to work through them is someone that I want to work more with. Being able to not only use my photography skills elevate things with my creative direction. My clients have creative minds of their own, and I’m blessed to work with different business owners and fellow artists like me. I like to have fun with my clients and create a safe space for them to be themselves also, it allows your clients to relax and let loose for as long as we have the studio time. So, if that sounds like you, then I’m your girl. We’re always going to have a good time during sessions.
Contact Info:
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/anglesbymai/?igshid=YmMyMTA2M2Y%3D
- Linkedin: https://linktr.ee/ItsMaiyaMichelle
- Twitter: https://twitter.com/i/flow/login?redirect_after_login=%2Fmaiyamichelle__%3Fs%3D21
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCUATPcReDMj2bfle-7lKGqA
