Today we’d like to introduce you to Sumaya Skeeters.
Sumaya, let’s start with your story. We’d love to hear how you got started and how the journey has been so far.
Art never seemed like a realistic career choice. Honestly, it still seems like a dream. How did I start…? Okay, when I was in university I would take an arts class every quarter so that I could stay sane and to give myself a reason to get to campus when I’d want to skip. Winter quarter of my third year, I was taking a multimedia class. I learned about color theory & also that I was kind of depressed. I don’t know if there was a correlation between the two. When I started skipping art class, I thought I should probably talk to someone before this shit gets out of hand. My mama is manic depressant so mental health has always been a topic in my life. After a bunch of “I’ll-make- an-appointment-tomorrow”s, Spring quarter rolled in & I started taking Intro to Photography. I spent all my money on a semi pro camera, Canon Rebel SL1, and fell in love. I think it was just therapeutic at that point. Going out alone and exploring areas that I’ve never taken the time to look at. A few weeks into it, my older sister committed suicide. Just like that, everything was different. My siblings convinced me to be still while the storm settled. They suggested that I “give photography a shot.” I did. I absolutely finally made that appointment by the way. But yes, during healing I heavily relied on photography to get me out of my head.
Then I started taking pictures of people. It allowed me to get inside their head. That connection with total strangers, & with people I thought I knew was magic. Living with your whole heart, allowing yourself to be vulnerable, is really fucking magical. I met one of my best friends and mentor Noah Red when I first said “I am a photographer”. Somewhere during healing, I allowed myself to see beauty again, & I realized happiness is worth the risk. It changed my “art isn’t realistic” mindset. Going back to university, I changed my major to graphic design and marketing. I had done a bunch of research and learned that graphic design and photography are besties. So there I am studying graphic design WITH NO PREVIOUS KNOWLEDGE totally falling in love! I used my new connection skills gifted to me by photography to meet a very beautiful woman that goes by Patty who happened to live and breath graphic design & love getting her picture taken. The love was instant. Fast forward to now, I currently work as a designer with her and her husband’s new company, VOLT Creative Co. Crazy how life works. And of course, I have my hands in creative projects and showcases when they arise. I love what I do because it is so flexible and forever expanding.
Has it been a smooth road?
Smooth? Growing is a choice. Every part of this journey has been taking what life gives me and deciding to throw it away, sit on it, or use it. It hasn’t been easy to choose to keep pushing. Especially because the world won’t stop for you. I think one of the most helpful tips I can give to anyone is to build with intention. Make sure to surround yourself with people that inspire you, support you, and love you. Because you WILL need it. My support system has kept me pushing for greater and will continue until I reach my full potential.
Please tell us about Maya Joan Media.
I currently operate as an independent contractor, does that count as a company? Maya Joan Media is being formed as we speak to offer access to the skills that make me happiest. Maya Joan Media will offer photography, web-design, contact creation, and host events that help develop/refine creative ideas and skills. I am so pumped for this! In addition to what I offer personally, I also like to help people for connections with other creative professionals. My team is build from some very talented people that I’ve crossed paths with. I have a photography mentor, Noah Red. A very talented filmmaker and editor. And some less official creative/business/life mentors; Gold Ro$e, Patea, Aemilia, Swizzle, Aleah, Aliegha, Xavier, Lala, Saidah, and honestly the list can probably go on forever. This is what I’m most proud of, bringing it all together, and inspiring the next “realistic” thinker.
How do you think the industry will change over the next decade?
Projections are so weird. Photography & Design will always be need, I’m sure about that. But Everyone is a photographer nowadays, and design is made so “easy” and accessible. If I had to guess where I could offer the most amount of value in 5-10 years, I’d say it would be on the knowledge sharing side. Just connecting with humans on a human level, and sharing knowledge and resources. Experience-based events seem like the trend.
Pricing:
- Photography starting at $150
- Website Design starting at $650
- Photography Subscription Service starting at $200/mo
- Content Creation Subscription Service starting at $100/mo
Contact Info:
- Website: mayajoanmedia.com
- Email: [email protected]
- Instagram: @iam.mayajoan
- Twitter: @iammayajoan
Image Credit:
Swizzle, Tissan, Maya Joan, VOLT Creative Co.
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