We recently connected with Sylvia Arbelaez and have shared our conversation below.

Sylvia , thanks for taking the time to share your stories with us today We’d love to hear the backstory behind a risk you’ve taken – whether big or small, walk us through what it was like and how it ultimately turned out.

A real risk I took was stepping out of what I’ve known for over 20 years as a commercial photographer and finally leaning into my work as an artist. I’ve always created for clients, so putting my own art out there felt a little scary and very uncertain.
My daughter and I were sitting on the couch one day and said, “what if we started a market pop-up” That one thought turned into action pretty quickly. Within three weeks, we had signed up for our first market and pulled everything together—prints, a tent, displays… all of it. We didn’t overthink it, we just jumped in.
We ended up completing a full season, there were definitely challenges and a few “what are we doing?” moments, it was also exciting and really fulfilling. Looking back, that small moment of curiosity changed everything. If we hadn’t acted on it, we wouldn’t be in this new chapter.

Sylvia , 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 am a photographer, artist and creative director based in South Florida. Born in Philadelphia, my parents migrated from the Dominican Republic. I hold a B.A. from Barry University and an A.A. in Liberal Arts from Palomar College. I am deeply passionate about storytelling through visual design and photography. Through my studio, Photography by Sylvia, I’ve captured weddings, portraits, and commercial projects for clients including Nordstrom Rack’s HauteLook, TYCO International, Dillard’s, and Parklander Life Publications. My work has appeared on multiple magazine covers, including Incisal Edge and Life and the Single Parent®, and has been showcased in juried exhibitions and charitable organizations such as 4Kids of South Florida and Flashes of Hope. I am deeply passionate about storytelling through visual design and photography.

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

My most fulfilling moments are when I feel I impacted a client with my art. Seeing my artwork displayed in a living space, office, waiting room, magazine; it evokes in me a sense of pride that I brought beauty or a story to a space.

What do you think is the goal or mission that drives your creative journey?

Documentation! I feel documenting everyday life is so important. We live very hectic busy lives and moments are fleeting. I often say, “take a picture, it last longer. Or another one of my sayings is “if you didn’t take a picture, it didn’t happen”. Life moves too fast and so documenting the journey is critical. In hindsight, I truly feel like a photo is a frozen moment you get to relive.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.photographybysylvia.com
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/photographybysylvia
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/photographybysylvia

Image Credits

Sylvia Arbelaez