Meet Mariah Moneda

Today we’d like to introduce you to Mariah Moneda.

Every artist has a unique story. Can you briefly walk us through yours?
Anne Truitt once said, “artists have no choice but to express their lives. They have only, and that not always, a choice of process. This process does not change the essential content of their work in art, which can only be their life.”

I didn’t always want to be a photographer. My pursuit of expression started as a lonely writer, where I would conjure up worlds of unprecedented adventure in hopes of one day becoming the fearless and brave characters I dreamed up so easily. Then school came around and upon enrolling in journalism I had conclude that these words were not the medium I needed to my own success and I feared sharing my thoughts with others, and as a result I became discouraged. Soon after this personal turmoil I was lent a new tool – a camera – by a close relative, and thus began my existence within the unique world of visual arts.

The beginning was unsightly; the images I created had become a commercial monster in pursuit of money and fame. It did not bring me the satisfaction I so craved and as time moved on, I began to lose hope once more and feared dropping my camera and adopting the title of a failure. However, through the community I had created with my time in photography, they supported me, telling me that I must not give up… I was no longer just a lonely writer. I was a photographer with friends. This journey has been the most formative one. With photography I have found strength, determination, and an incredible sense of self-worth, none of which I had previously before my camera.

Now, I yearn to continue capturing the essence of what makes life worth living and create worlds that others can share with me as I present my imagination to them.

Please tell us about your art.
My photography has a wide perspective on the world around me: from documentary, to fashion editorial, to landscape, everything deserves to have a moment frozen in time. However, what I genuinely enjoy is creating digital composites out of the images that I have captured and continuing to develop these images in photoshop, by combining the different environmental elements, to create stories that have never been told before.

I started doing this one day when I went back into my photography, and comparing it to my writing, wondered why there wasn’t enough depth in my work to keep people wondering. So, looking at all of the images as a whole, I wondered if I could put two and two together to make something compelling, and this is where I found my niche.

Here I lured people in by the beauty of the original compositions, and then, once there and their thoughts began to wonder, I showed them that everything is not as it seems. What I want from others with my work is to question the life around us as much as possible. Nothing is ever just black and white and the gray area in-between isn’t something to be afraid of.

Choosing a creative or artistic path comes with many financial challenges. Any advice for those struggling to focus on their artwork due to financial concerns?
The only advice I feel is helpful is to just pre-plan everything but be prepared for anything. Have a budget, and map out your costs effectively, this should help with the concern because you’re now in control of what you’re doing and when, and personally, don’t be afraid to ask friends for help, but to remember to compensate them accordingly when all is said and done.

How or where can people see your work? How can people support your work?
Currently I have physical prints up in Cartel Coffee shop in their Scottsdale location and soon to be Ash location. I also have a website: mariahmophoto.com, and a social media profile on Instagram: @mariahmoneda.

Support however can come in multiple forms: word of mouth, collaboration, posts on social media, monetary, etc., but my personal philosophy resides in saying thank you to every and all efforts to do so and just being extremely grateful for whatever comes my way.

Contact Info:

• Website: mariahmophoto.com
• Email: [email protected]
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/mariahmoneda/

Image Credit:
Mariah Moneda
Everett Milloy

Getting in touch: VoyagePhoenix is built on recommendations from the community; it’s how we uncover hidden gems, so if you know someone who deserves recognition please let us know here.