Maija Martin
Maija Martin
Who is Maija Martin?
I use the power of my camera to find the beautiful spark in others. The images I create become another employee that tell the brand’s story, so that my clients have more time to do what they do best. (Because do you read every word?) Let’s rewind. I’m an outgoing introvert who, as a teenager on nights with not much to do, would pile into a car with friends destined for the Minneapolis airport.(This was in the time before TSA security restrictions.) As we walked around the airport, we’d create backstories for the travelers en route to their adventures. My love for people alongside my love of making things, turned into a BS in Art Education. I focused on life drawing and darkroom photography. A few years later, I received a Master’s in School Counseling. Since then, I’ve studied under professional photographers internationally. People and their body language, right down to their micro-expressions, are where the feelings and the stories begin to emerge within a portrait. (I hardly ever ask someone to cross their arms in a pose. To me, that’s a barrier.)
Please briefly summarize your life's journey, highlighting the significant chapters and pivotal moments.
I moved to Chicago with $60 in my bank account in 2003 to become a high school art teacher teaching mixed media arts. Six years into that, I went for my Master's in School Counseling because I wanted to better serve my students. When I had my first child in 2014, I needed something creative for myself and turned my love for photography, people, and art into what is now a Portrait and Brand Photography business.
Who are you beyond your titles? Complete this sentence: I am...
a creative thinker who makes life work out. I am a supporting character for the people around me, always with a shoulder to lean on.
What’s one piece of advice or mindset shift that changed how you approach life?
Life is perfectly imperfect. Everyone is doing their best with the tools that they currently have. It's up to us, as individuals, to use those tools for good and make the best possible outcomes for ourselves, our families, and our communities.
What’s a project, goal, or passion you’re currently working on that excites you?
I'm working on a brand photography membership for my clients. I also have been teaching Phone-tography through walks around different neighborhoods in the city.
What motivates you to keep going during difficult times?
Taking a break and giving myself time to think. Often, by creating the space, it helps me regroup and figure out what I can do to make the best of a situation.
What’s one belief about yourself that you’ve outgrown or redefined? Why?
I can't do everything myself. I'm not good at it and so why try? This frees me up to focus on the areas I can be good at and refill my battery so I can keep moving forward.
What advice would you give to another woman who is feeling stuck or unsure about what’s next? Why?
People often know exactly what they want to do and don't need the advice of others. I ask questions. I'm curious. I'll point out when I hear them repeat wishes and goals with maybe a gentle nudge of encouragement forward.
Was there a time when you felt disconnected from your purpose or struggled to find balance in your life? How did you navigate that season?
Balance is always a struggle. I don't think it's possible to be in balance with much of anything ever. I can focus more on my family, on myself, on my business and other things fall off. To me, it's more about planning for the different times of day or seasons and giving myself grace as one thing takes a backseat for something else. The key is to keep returning to the places where I feel more grounded before stepping out and stretching myself in another part of life again. It's like a rubber band stretching and returning.
Have you ever felt guilt about how you spend your time? How do you manage those feelings?
Of course! Then I ask myself what is needed right now. Guilt for how you spend time is often a result of the "should" in life. It sometimes even closes doors to the "could."
What’s a game-changing tip or hack that has made your life easier? (If you're a mom, feel free to share your best 'Mom Hack'!)
I trust my kids. They need to have the space to be independent and try things out for themselves. Sometimes it makes a mess (literally or figuratively), but in the end, they are happier and things are generally easier. They know I'm there to catch them and help them move forward as needed.
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