Meet Mariah Kelly | Fashion Photographer

We had the good fortune of connecting with Mariah Kelly and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Mariah, is there something that you feel is most responsible for your success?
Authenticity is an essential piece to creating any art. My photography is a representation of the things that inspire and intrigue me, and a way for others to get a taste of how I view the world. By being authentic through my work, others can easily see my style and what to expect when creating something together. When you only put out authentic work that speaks to you personally, the people who recognize and understand your vision will naturally find you – these become your best clients.

Can you open up a bit about your work and career? We’re big fans and we’d love for our community to learn more about your work.
I’m proud of the fact I’ve established myself as a creator and have connected with a lot of people in the Louisville community through that alone. I’m just coming up on three years of living in Louisville and creating was a significant way for me to adjust moving to a new city. I had moved from Portland, Oregon where I already felt settled and connected within the creative community there, so it was like starting over. But Louisville has now become my home and allowed me to build connections with others who have a passion in creating just the same, but in a totally different atmosphere.

In 2020, I began experimenting more with Fashion and concept photoshoots and started my Color Series where I did a styled shoot in each color. This series required me to dive into color theory and utilize color grading to understand image tones – the key to me developing my signature style. With inspiration from the Pacific Northwest, I try to incorporate nature regardless of the location, and seek out colors that complement, highlight, and enhance the subject. I believe in keeping a photo as close to natural as I can while bringing out the best in color and tone to enhance natural features. I don’t like to alter my subject or major details in my images regarding appearance because I like to be raw with my work while embracing it for what it is. I also love hearing people say “wow, how’d you make it like that?!” because they were excited about the end result while feeling even more confident after shooting. It’s a great feeling to make others feel good about themselves, especially through your art. It’s about turning a moment into a a timeless piece that is meaningful to the client and can also be shared with everyone.

If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?
If you’re looking to get outside, I like Cherokee Park for a longer trail and nice hills, and at night the Waterfront views while you walk the Big Four Bridge to Indiana’s side, such a beautiful spot! My favorite food would have to be Bodeguita de Mima – it’s the best cuban in the city and I could eat there once a week if I had my wish lol. As far as entertainment, walking around Nulu and 4th Street Live can give you plenty of bars, restaurants, and venues to see.

Shoutout is all about shouting out others who you feel deserve additional recognition and exposure. Who would you like to shoutout?
My sister is a creative designer who has always been doing art in some capacity, and for that I value her insight. She taught me a lot about the art of visuals from a designer’s perspective, especially with paying attention to the details. She also helped me see the potential I had as my skills started to evolve with shooting and editing – that will always be significant to me.

I also have to show appreciation to my Grandpa because he lent me his camera for my first Photography class, before I had my own. He has shown a lot of respect towards my art and has since given me his Pentax film camera which he used before I was born – such a cool gift that I feel honored to continue using for my own work.

I have a lot of friends who have also continuously supported my work, and inspired me to create as well. I’m grateful to be surrounded by people who believe in me and see the value of my work all around.

Website: www.mkgallery.shop

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/mkgallery_/

Image Credits
Kevin Sanchez