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

Hi Ma’yet, we’d love to hear about how you approach risk and risk-taking

Honestly, considering risk is not my strongest area. A strength that I am keenly aware of is my spontaneity.  This comes from years of experience in trusting and depending on myself to get me out of whatever I got myself into.

Hiking as an example; I see a trail, I follow it, even if it isn’t marked, I just look at it, shrug my shoulders, chuckle, and say to myself, “ You only live once and the worst that happens is you’ll die.”

I have narrowly escaped death a few times and if I were a cat, there are just a few of my nine lives remaining.

A safer example is a position I have outside of photography.  I interviewed in my car, got the job, planned a move without a place to live or knowing what my salary was, and then 2,000 miles later, I moved to the west coast.

When I looked at this situation, I did not see risk, but saw an opportunity and decided to act.

I firmly believe that life is: Luck + Hard Work = Opportunity and it is up to each individual to act or not.

Life happens to all of us and we can let it make us bitter or better.

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.

What I am most proud of on my journey is the willingness to trust myself enough to take a chance on myself.

I am following my passion for nature photography even though I have not gone to school, taken any classes, or truly had a mentor. I picked up a camera (thank you Amy for helping me get a great starter) and started taking photos. I see the beauty in nature and go to great, somewhat dangerous, lengths to get a shot that most overlook.

Where I am today was not easy and seems to be getting more complicated.

Like I said, I am joining the game late, starting a business during a recession, and asking people to buy something they do not need.

The deck is stacked, but I am patient, so I keep working, keep taking photographs and videos, keep sharing them knowing that one day it will all work out or it won’t.

What I have learned about a great many things is that not everyone will see what I see or follow me on this journey. Many of the days are spent on trails by yourself, but I know I am not alone.

Personally, what matters most is that I my passionate, energetic, optimistic, and intrinsically motivation to be the best version of myself no matter the scenario.

My mantra is, I shall either find a way or make one.

If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?

When you visit, there are a few things that are required: open mind; sense of adventure; hiking boots; rain coat; sense of humor; and positive vibes.

We’d start at the bottom of Oregon and drive the Pacific Coast Highway to the top of Washington. Each moment would be its own adventure with unique sunrises and sunsets.

When not perched on a viewpoint and sitting on the beach, we would hike to waterfalls, redwoods, listen to the birds, and bask in the engulfing nature.

What is an adventure without eating our way from one state to another. My quest would be to find the best pancakes along the pacific ocean. I cannot help it, I love pancakes, but I call them tancakes just because.

Evenings would consist of campfire (safely) stories, reminiscing of the day’s adventure, and stargazing till our eyelids collided.

Shoutout is all about shouting out others who you feel deserve additional recognition and exposure. Who would you like to shoutout?

There is no one set or group of people I can think of for where I am today. My Ohana (they know who they are) have played a pivotal role in my growth as a human; whether it was playing hours of board games, caring for plants, feeding and housing me during the big freeze, and helping me weather numerous storms.

Additionally, the young adults at Booker T Washington in Dallas that encouraged me to move from hobby to professional photographer fundamentally altered my life.

Hope to see you on the trail.

Website: https://www.itosphotography.com/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/itos_photography/?hl=en

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ITOSPHOTOGRAPHY

Image Credits
Inner Thoughts Outward Shots (I.T.O.S.) Photography

Nominate Someone: ShoutoutArizona is built on recommendations and shoutouts from the community; it’s how we uncover hidden gems, so if you or someone you know deserves recognition please let us know here.