Alright – so today we’ve got the honor of introducing you to Mariel Torres Ramírez. We think you’ll enjoy our conversation, we’ve shared it below.

Mariel, thanks for taking the time to share your stories with us today Can you talk to us about how you learned to do what you do?

I would say I am 75% self-taught… from serving as the photographer for my high school’s newspaper and yearbook, launching a lifestyle photo blog during my college years, watching all the cinematic masterpieces I can get my hands on for inspiration, and even seizing the opportunity to take engagement photos for friends in my early twenties, all these experiences have been a crucial chapter in my learning journey. The other 25% has been thanks to colleagues, mentors, and online courses (Thank you MasterClass, Coursera, and Domestika!).

While for some my photography journey may appear so long, for me it took the time it needed to take. I believe that some learning processes cannot be rushed, and for me, this is that. 
I needed to explore the paths I took to truly understand and see things creatively the way I do now.

An essential skill I have learned is how to silence that dreaded “imposter syndrome” by not comparing myself to anyone else and instead concentrating on my work and style. This was, at times, an obstacle that stood in the way of my growth. It’s ok to find inspiration and motivation in others’ work, just don’t let that take over.

Mariel, before we move on to more of these sorts of questions, can you take some time to bring our readers up to speed on you and what you do?

For those of you who have not met yet, I am an island girl from Puerto Rico who has been in love with photography from the moment I discovered my dad’s National Geographic magazines. I got my first camera at four years old for Christmas, a Fisher-Price Perfect Shot Film, and from that point on I always had one on me. My first lessons on the topic came from my dad, a biologist with a passion for photography, and from that point on I filled so many albums. Despite my academic and professional pursuits being unrelated to photography (BSc in Medical Laboratory Sciences / MPH in Biosecurity & Disaster Preparedness), I remained steadfast in nurturing my love for capturing moments through a lens. It wasn’t till last summer that I decided to press pause on my “left-brain” career and explore the right side of my brain a bit with a little professional detour. That’s when I launched MTP, a cinematic photography-inspired business that focuses on conceptualizing projects that tell stories without them needing to be in motion. So far, I have had the pleasure of working with brands, restaurants, cafes, influencers, artists, couples, and individuals who wanted their stories captured as scenes from a movie.

How about pivoting – can you share the story of a time you’ve had to pivot?

In the spring/summer of 2020, I was struggling with extreme stress due to my job at the time (I was working full-time in the pandemic response at my state’s emergency operation center) which triggered some anxiety and depression as well… I hadn’t touched my camera in months. It was during this time that I stumbled upon Jamie Beck’s Isolation Creation project, inspiring me to transform our sunroom into a personal studio space. This self-portrait project became a cornerstone of my self-care routine, offering solace and rejuvenation through creation. This experience eventually led to my big career pivot three years later when I found myself mentally burnt out. I knew what my mind needed… pursuing something creative full-time (especially photography) had always felt like a far-off dream but I knew that if I didn’t take the jump now I would always wonder “What if”.

What do you find most rewarding about being a creative?

This pertains more to non-commercial photoshoots. It fills my heart to the brim when I deliver a finished project and the client tells me that they have never had a truer and more beautiful representation of self than what I captured.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.marieltorresramirez.com/
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/marieltorresphoto
• Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/marieldtorres/
• Other: TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@marieltorresphoto

Image Credits
Second Photo By: Mikayla Herrick