Meet Ariyanha Mickens | Photographer

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

Hi Ariyanha, what led you to pursuing a creative path professionally?
Ever since I was a little kid, I would always go to Walgreens and get their disposable cameras. They would literally last me 1 day because of all the photos I would take. Growing up, I was always taking pictures, whether that was from a disposable camera, to my cell phone, or a photographer at JcPennys. As a teenager in high school, I wanted to become a crime scene technician, which of course had to do with taking photos. As of 2021, I started my business and it has been the best thing I have done. Thinking outside of the box with creative photoshoots is my passion. To be able to recreate something that someone looks and just admires is what my goal is. I love looking at certain places that people take advantage of and showing them through my lens what I see.

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 have not specialized in just one subject of photography and I do not want to limit myself because I love all aspects of photography. It’s amazing to have families that I have photographed message you and tell you that they love the photos that they received. It’s great getting repeat clients and then referred by them as well. I want to capture photos that people could take for granted and then show the beauty of that photograph. I have been taking photos for about 12 years and decided that 2021, I was going to make it a business. The hardest part has been starting up the business; getting your name and business out there, building a portfolio, managing social medias, and then advertising it all. It’s hard, but knowing that you look at a photo you took && doing a happy dance and saying “I took that” makes it all worth it.

If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?
I absolutely adore nature. From the smells, to hearing the wind go through the trees, to hearing water falling. It clears my mind and it’s literally a breath of fresh air. I have already took one of my friends to the Fossil Creek waterfall and it’s something that we still talk about to this day. I am always about being zen and tranquility, so our next stop would have to be Sedona where we can just put our phones down for the day and just find happiness through nature.

Who else deserves some credit and recognition?
I mentioned that I have loved photography ever since I was a little girl and my mom helped me with that passion. She would take me places to get the film developed and ultimately gave me the freedom to be able to explore through a lens. I also would not be here without the support of the few friends I have. They have given me the motivation that I didn’t know I needed. They have always supported me and cheered me on, no matter what.

Instagram: http://www.instagram.com/am_amor_photography/

Facebook: http://Facebook.com/101352121901982/

Image Credits
Photograph of myself: Destiny Brewster with Destiny’s Lens.