We’re excited to introduce you to the always interesting and insightful Maria Wurtz. We hope you’ll enjoy our conversation with Maria below.

Maria, thanks for joining us, excited to have you contributing your stories and insights. When did you first know you wanted to pursue a creative/artistic path professionally?

I first knew that I wanted to pursue a creative/artistic path professionally when I was in High School. I was so deeply in love with photography, and had been for many years prior, but when everyone was figuring out their careers and choosing college, I knew that I had to follow my dreams. The inner urge to create overcame any desire for the 9-5 day job and a successful freelancing career was my ultimate goal. With the support of my high school photo teacher, Mark Booth, my friends, and my family, I pursued photography and I cannot imagine doing anything else!

Maria, 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 Maria Wurtz, a New York-based freelance photographer and producer. My career really began in High School when I first started taking my photography seriously. At the time, I was solely focused on black-and-white film images of the human body. which led me to fall in love with self-portraiture. At the time, I was struggling to overcome an eating disorder and used my photography as a way to heal. I went on to continue self-portraits, which are still a crucial part of my art today, but I channeled this love and passion into photographing women, and in 2016 I created my own intersectional feminist art magazine called Sugar. Sugar was an outlet for those struggling with body image issues and the mission was to create instead of focusing on your body. I knew then that I wanted to work in the editorial world.

After graduating from The Fashion Institute of Technology with my BFA, I went on to work full-time for Rolling Stone Magazine. I had so many career and life-changing moments there including photographing Louie Tomlinson, Wu-Tang, Hozier, and Post Malone to name just a few. We cannot forget my first big assignment, working alongside the creative director in producing Harry Styles’ cover back in 2019 (and yes, he is as amazing as you’d imagine him to be!). I continued to produce many covers and various photoshoots over the course of my three years at Rolling Stone, which really gave me the confidence and ability to pursue my freelance career.

Rolling Stone was a start to my story but once I began freelancing, I was really able to find my own voice as an artist. My art is heavily inspired by women, the ocean, and the sun and I wanted to work on campaigns that reflected that. I started creating for myself with the intention of attracting the clients I wanted to work for. When you’re an artist, it’s so important that you develop your own specific style, and that’s some of the greatest advice I’ve ever been given. Your aesthetic is what sells and is exactly what clients want. Some people ask me – how do you find your style? My advice is, to feel deep down inside and really understand yourself because your photographic style comes from your soul! It is who you are. It is your whole heart. It is your authentic self being reflected back to you.

Is there something you think non-creatives will struggle to understand about your journey as a creative? Maybe you can provide some insight – you never know who might benefit from the enlightenment.

I think non-creatives will struggle to understand absolutely everything about being a freelance artist. It’s scary to believe in yourself so much that you pursue an entire career based on your confidence, truly. As a photographer, I’ve really struggled with non-creatives being dismissive, judgmental, or even discouraging about my career choice but all I can say is please, follow your heart, your dreams, and your goals. They exist within you for a reason. No one else has to understand you or what you create, and that’s okay. A freelance career is so incredibly possible, I’m right here doing it as proof!

Any resources you can share with us that might be helpful to other creatives?

Earlier in my career, I wish I understood self-love. I think the industry is tough in so many ways, and your self-esteem and confidence can really take a hit. I later learned a lot about spirituality and went on my own deep healing journey which really helped my creative journey. If you love yourself and your art fiercely, no one can take that away from you. Learning to not take things personally is so important for your mental health and creativity. I also wish that five years ago I understood how important it is to release feelings of jealousy and competition. There is no competition because we can all win. I see everyone doing what I love as proof that I can do it too. The opportunities exist out there for everyone, we can help each other out, and love ourselves through the whole process.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.mariawurtz.com/
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/mariawurtz/
• Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/maria-wurtz-0b1250b3/