We recently connected with Maiyasa Issa and have shared our conversation below.

Maiyasa, looking forward to hearing all of your stories today. Can you open up about a risk you’ve taken – what it was like taking that risk, why you took the risk and how it turned out?

I took a BIG risk at the age of 26. I moved away from my family in Indiana to pursue the Film Industry here in Atlanta, Georgia. I’m an Iraqi immigrant who is unmarried…you can see where this would be a huge problem. It was a dream of mine though, for as long as I can remember: Work in Film and create magical, emotional pieces of work. I did just that. I worked on a few TV shows and Films where I aided in the process of those emotional pieces. However, after a couple of years, my heart just wasn’t truly in it. I thought, for a good amount of time, that I made a big mistake and that this risk was the wrong move to make in my mid twenties. After reflecting on this issue, I realized that I was focusing my energy on the wrong field. I love being creative and I love capturing moments in time that tell a story…I mean I’d been doing it for over 6 years on the side, so why not turn that into a full time passion? This year I made the conscious decision to pursue Photography with everything I’ve got. There are several ups and downs associated with being a Freelancer/business owner, but at this rate, as long as I’m finally doing something that brings me joy, then the Reward is worth the Risk.

Maiyasa, love having you share your insights with us. Before we ask you more questions, maybe you can take a moment to introduce yourself to our readers who might have missed our earlier conversations?

I’m a 29 year old Iraqi immigrant who moved to the States when I was 7. I speak Arabic. I read Arabic at a 5th grade level. I have culture and I’m proud of who I am. With that being said…It’s shocking when an unmarried Middle Eastern girl decides to leave her family home and pursue a creative route. I did just that and as much as it came with consequences and troubling times, I’m so happy I took the risk.

In 2015 I received my Bachelor’s Degree in Media Arts & Science with a specialized knowledge in Video Production. For so long I thought working in TV/Film would be glamorous and bring me joy, however, once I moved down to Atlanta and worked in it, I realized it’s not a good fit for me. My passions and talents lie in Photography. In 2016 I taught myself the ins and outs of Photography (I still have so much to learn) and started to take photos of friends for practice while pursuing a full time job with a Marketing Company in Indianapolis. After a couple of years, “Creative Candids” was born. The name came from my desires to creatively capture beautiful moments in time.

Within Creative Candids, I offer a range of photography to my clients: Weddings, Behind The Scenes on Films/Music Videos, Travel, Creative Concept Shoots, Portraits, Branding, Live Events, Product Advertisements, etc etc.

I think what sets me apart from others is the fact that I care immensely about every single one of my clients. I want to make sure my images bring a smile to their face. I spend hours and hours editing to ensure my clients get the best outcome. I don’t just slab something together and call it a day…I actually think about how these photos will make the client feel. Usually that ends up putting me in my most creative headspace.

I’m most proud of the fact I made the decision to move to a bigger city for my career. I feel like a lot of people tend to let the fear stop them from pursuing their passions. Despite how much hurt and loneliness it takes to leave your entire family behind, I am proud of my courage and bravery for actually following through and doing what I said I’d do.

The main things I want any potential client/follower/fan to know about me and my work is that I’m dedicated. I’m passionate and I’m always educating myself within my career. I try and add my own little flare into my work and I hope that’s noticeable. Some people are chasing the money while I’m chasing the high I get after seeing my clients’ faces when I show them an image straight from the camera. Money can’t buy that feeling.

Where do you think you get most of your clients from?

The best source of new clients has honestly been word of mouth. Friends telling other friends about me and my work has helped me the most. Social media nowadays also plays a big role because that’s how we all stay connected. When I take photos for a client, they post it and tag my account, their friends see it so they book me, and the cycle continues.

What do you find most rewarding about being a creative?

You know when they say “Find a job you love and you’ll never work a day in your life”? That’s how I feel when I’m creating. It’s rewarding to see how much of an impact my photos can have in someone’s life. I draw inspiration from everything around me. When you’re using the left side of your brain and being analytical/logical, there are no emotions involved. Things are straightforward. Whereas, when I’m using the right side of my brain and incorporating feelings into my images, you can tell. It moves the audience and makes them feel a certain way. I think that’s the most rewarding aspect of a creative.

Contact Info:

• Website: http://www.maiyasaissa.com
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/creativecandids/
• Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/maiyasa-issa-80340582/
• Email: [email protected]