We were lucky to catch up with Mariela Henriquez recently and have shared our conversation below.

Hi Mariela, thanks for joining us today. It’s always helpful to hear about times when someone’s had to take a risk – how did they think through the decision, why did they take the risk, and what ended up happening. We’d love to hear about a risk you’ve taken.

In 2021 I made the riskiest decision of my life: to give up everything, my job, my friends, my family, and move back to Miami to pursue a dream. I had been working as a company manager at a real estate photography company in Houston and it got to the point where I had nothing left to give and felt like there was nowhere for me to grow. I had the urge to go off on my own and discover things about myself that I didn’t believe were possible in Houston. I had to plunge myself into the unknown, meet new people, and exponentially expanding my view and understanding of the world. The journey back to Miami has not been easy; I have not been able to accomplish what I came here to do, but I’ve been able to find a new dream I could never have imagined for myself. I learned that going off on my own is not the best course of action for me; I need community and a group of like-minded people that will support each other. Sometimes dreams manifest themselves by simply focusing on bettering yourself, the positive things of life, and being of service.

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?

My name is Mariela and I’m a fashion and editorial photographer. I’ve always been interested in the arts, and early in my teenage years I became fascinated with photography. It wasn’t until 2013 when I took my first photography class that I realized what was missing: self-expression in ways that weren’t possible before. I eventually went to Art school in Houston where through my self-portrait photography and video Art I started to discover my real personality, and my identity started to take form. Today, I use many Fine Art elements in my fashion and portrait photography, and my goal is to create thought-provoking work that makes you pause and consider the world around you. I believe that art has the power to connect people and create empathy for others, which is why I strive to create work that speaks to our shared humanity.

How can we best help foster a strong, supportive environment for artists and creatives?

I see everyone as equal. We are all deserving of equal opportunity, regardless of social status or wealth. As a society, we should be more open-minded about the definition of success and what defines someone as successful. As an Artist, I strive to create a world that is more inclusive and diverse. I believe that art can be a tool for social change and help us communicate with each other, even if we don’t speak the same language.

For you, what’s the most rewarding aspect of being a creative?

I love the creative process and being able to take an idea from its inception and bring it to fruition. I also enjoy working with people who are passionate about what they do, because it makes my work so much more meaningful.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.marielahqz.com/
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/maryellow/

Image Credits
All photo credits Mariela Henriquez