We recently connected with Christina Mata and have shared our conversation below.

Christina, appreciate you joining us today. Let’s talk legacy – what sort of legacy do you hope to build?

That’s such a difficult question to answer…but the first thing that comes to mind is impact. The possible impact that I made to those around me albeit by my art or just everyday interactions. I always wanted to convey emotion into the pictures that I take, so my hope would be that those images will live and that in any time or place when you see them, it stirs something in you, whether it’s good or bad.

Awesome – so before we get into the rest of our questions, can you briefly introduce yourself to our readers.

I’ve had a love of photography for as long as I can remember. Whenever anyone would ask what I wanted to be when I grew up, the answer was always “a photographer for a high-end fashion magazine” and it was always a magazine like Vogue or Bazaar. Just crazy high end fashion magazines, I can’t ever remember wanting to be anything else. I wasn’t a big fashion buff, and I’m still not, but I loved and admired all the photo spreads and eventually came to discover photographers like Tim Walker and Annie Leibovets who’s work I came to admire. When I was younger, I stuck to a certain style and went through a cinematography phase, I focused on making my images look like movie stills, I wanted to capture feelings, an essence in a moment. I won a few awards for my work and eventually I went to school to continue my education in photography. As I got older, the dream changed and reality set in… most of my work went from crazy, dark imaginative projects that I would rope my friends into, to scheduling sessions for families, babies, and eventually weddings. I soon realized that it wasn’t bringing me any joy, these were not the type of images that brought me to life, was I even proud of this work? I hate to say, but that was where most of the big money was, and it was not suiting me. Most families are not going to want Alice in Wonderland inspired newborn pictures haha! Eventually I put my camera down as the thought of taking more family/baby/wedding pictures became a chore and my focus shifted as it does for most when we ‘grow up’. Life went on and my camera collected dust, but it never left my heart, whenever someone would ask me now as an adult “what do you do?” I always struggle with the answer, are you asking me what I do that makes me who I am as a person? Or what I do for 8 hours a day that pays the bills? It hard to answer for both honestly! One thing I do know for certain is that photography will always be a part of who I am. Social media being as big as it is now, it’s inspiring to see all the talented photographers displaying their work, it gives me so much inspiration! It’s never a competition. These talented photographers and these beautiful images only give me insight into how people are seeing the world and it’s beautifully inspiring. When I was asked to participate in this article, I was hesitant… but as always, I’m happy that this has given me the opportunity to display my artwork once again, work that I’ve been proud of for years. This gives me the want and need to pick my camera up once again and capture the world in a new light and I hope that those that have shared my experience before can too.

What do you find most rewarding about being a creative?

I’m sure most creatives can relate to this, but there are moments where the mundane and ordinary is anything but. The way that light seeps in from a window and can illuminate a dish in the sink in just the right way, can inspire an artist. It’s when taking a picture or painting the object that’s in the sink and bringing to life the image you saw in your head. You take a step back and can admire the work you put into what you created. The rewarding part is when people view what you created and state how beautifully you captured the light hitting the dish, or the colors that were used to mimic the greys and blues in the sink, how the image in your head was brought to life. When we can share our vision of how we see the world and those can see it how we creatives do I believe is the most rewarding feeling. It’s like, can you see all these colors?! And someone saying back to you, yes! Yes I can!

Looking back, are there any resources you wish you knew about earlier in your creative journey?

I wish that I had been more involved with creative groups, having those in a similar circle would have been a benefit for me in a creative aspect. It’s hard once we get into the real world to continue viewing it as brightly as we did when we were younger, especially in the times we’re all living in now. If social media was as popular back when I was younger was around, I’m sure my creative path would have looked a bit different. The ability to reach out to those that can relate and have them share their artwork back is an amazing thing. I encourage younger artists to take advantage of the networking and sharing opportunities that are available now with social media It’s truly incredible seeing everyone’s art and all the inspiration that comes from it.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.christinamataphotography.com/
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/c.hristinamata/