We’re excited to introduce you to the always interesting and insightful Miquela Martinez. We hope you’ll enjoy our conversation with Miquela below.
Miquela, thanks for joining us, excited to have you contributing your stories and insights. Let’s jump to the end – what do you want to be remembered for?
Legacy withstands time, a reflection of the energy of one’s life’s work. Where all the experiences, challenges, connections, community help build the character of an individual. I hope to create a legacy of the reflection of love, energy in its many facets used in meaningful ways that others can recognize for themselves, speaking and living truth and the reminder to live from the heart and be the absolute version of one’s inherent self.
As always, we appreciate you sharing your insights and we’ve got a few more questions for you, but before we get to all of that can you take a minute to introduce yourself and give our readers some of your back background and context?
Hi, I’m Miq. I am a two-spirit individual from Kansas City, MO. I am a passionate creative who creates based on the moment, authenticity, love and expression of self. I create with many forms including photography, writing, storytelling, helping to create experiences in the live/music event industry and the abundance of other creative outlets. I care about the liberation and freedom for all and using creativity is a wonderful medium for this. Creativity is a beautiful expression that exists in all of us. My entire life I have been drawn to creative energy. Music is one of my passions and a huge part of my life. Being in spaces that bring people together and watching the artist perform the emotions behind their soulful work that resonates with others drew me to want to capture these moments and share them with the world. I appreciate the light within and is what defines the unique experience I have with all I work with. Each experience is unique and I value the time, energy and character of all who I have the privilege to capture. I am a visionary. I am a dream driven person. I have surmounted challenges that required me to persevere. In my upbringing and early adulthood I took on responsibilities to help my family where challenges and suffering were consistent. I deeply value family, community. In these times I learned much wisdom that I not only apply to life today but also in my work and art. To never give up on your dreams, what your heart desires is important. Even if you may stand alone at times, you must have the courage to keep going onward in belief that what will be will be. These experiences transformed my life to the present moment. Balancing hardship, responsibility and uncertainty through the challenges gave me the opportunity to stand for my values, beliefs in each moment. I accomplished my dreams even through some of the darkest times of my life while also helping others create their dreams too. Devotion, faith in self and love have helped me far on the road of all parts of my creative journey and I look forward to continuing.
Is there mission driving your creative journey?
The mission of my creative journey at its root is love. Love exists in many forms. For me, some of this purpose I move with includes authenticity, community, integrity, compassion, healing and expressing your inner light. Using your creativity to express who you inherently are. To help support, create and build safe spaces where others freely express themselves and to shine their light is one of the many reasons I am so passionate about the creative journey. Each experience is unique as we are all unique in our own worlds. My work and rates are tailored to the work at hand and what works best for the people I cocreate with. I hope to have a lasting effect so that others know that shining their light does not dim another’s and helps set a foundation for others to shine bright too. We are all unique and have creative gifts to offer to the world. To help those believe in themselves and not be afraid to be who they are. We are alive to live, create and be of service to our communities. My creative journey has been a passionate process rooted in love and helping others recognize what they have within.
What’s a lesson you had to unlearn and what’s the backstory?
One valuable lesson I have learned that is also applied to the experience of life itself is to move through your fear and not allow it to override beginning or taking a risk. Although we may start out with a dream, a desire (seeing the bigger picture) fear can undermine the start of beginning. It’s important to give yourself the grace and space to make mistakes and embrace the process as this will lead to an abundance of opportunities/possibilities. It’s important to recognize your value, what you have to offer and believing in yourself. To not be discouraged by disappointment, rejection (redirection) and challenges that may arise. There is no set way to express your creativity and that is the beautiful gift of our inner light and energy. To have faith and know there is away, to believe and not give up on the vision. To focus and have self discipline. Where I am today in the industry of music/live events I took many risks without knowing what may come of it. Embracing the unknown, uncertainty, mystery, persevering, having trust in self and believing in yourself creates opportunities. I took a risk seven years ago bringing my DSLR camera into a small local venue to capture a local act and a touring artist not sure if I would be accepted or denied. In truth it was my beginning of miqdelmar and also meeting my partner of I Love KC Music and joining Kimmy DeVries’ publication. At the time I was also beginning a box office position that I dreamed of filling and in time it birthed a beautiful position where I help people have the most insightful, fun and rewarding experiences. It all began with a passion for music in its many forms and being an avid concert goer. The dream built overtime and the process and journey of it all has been an abundance of beauty that aligns with my purpose. It is an honor to have taken those risks and to work with the communities I work with today. In the beginning I was not sure how to start, where to begin. About a decade into the Kansas City music scene (I had attended over 300 shows at this point) and a passion for the energy of each concert experience. I met many people and discussed how their experiences of working in this industry came to fruition. I researched and asked other photographers with experience. In all they guide you with wonderful tips but also to believe in yourself, divine timing, taking risks and to not give up. You will also meet people that will more than happily/willingly help and support you in creating your dreams. I am grateful for the journey. I would not be where I am presently without my community and believing in myself.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://miqdelmar.myportfolio.com/content
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/miqdelmar/
- Facebook: https://facebook.com/miqdelmar
- Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/miqdelmar
- Twitter: https://x.com/miqdelmar?s=21
- Youtube: https://youtube.com/@miqdelmar?feature=shared
- Other: https://linktr.ee/miqdelmar
Image Credits
miqdelmar Photography I Love KC Music
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