Today we’d like to introduce you to Erika Matos.
Hi Erika, thanks for joining us today. We’d love for you to start by introducing yourself.
I discovered my passion for photography when I was living in Cape Town, South Africa. I lived there for five amazing years after I left my home country, Brazil. At the time I was working as a web developer, studying photography and attending as many workshops as there were. I started photographing the wildlife in the safaris, it was such an amazing experience.
My transition to portrait photography happened after I moved to Johannesburg, South Africa when I started working with models. From there I figured that I wanted to focus on Motherhood Photography.
I left my work as a web developer when I left South Africa to come to Saint Louis and I have focused on my passion since then. After I had my baby, eight months ago I was not only able to experience Motherhood but the journey helped me to understand and love even more what evolves Motherhood Photography.
Every art reflects the inside of their creator and I believe it’s no different for me. My photography style is minimalist and focuses on the emotions that surround the subject.
The feelings that I have captured along my journey are priceless and timeless! I love what I do and I do it with love.
Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not, what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
Starting over always comes with its challenges and adding a pandemic to the poll didn’t make things any easier. I’m very lucky to have found such a welcoming community in Saint Louis, not to mention the Brazilian community that helps us to have a little bit of our culture as part of our lives, from the music to the foods there is always something happening!
When I was living in South Africa, I was part of a project called Magical Moments, the idea behind the project is to bring to the kids that live in the township a new perspective of life. To take them away from the horrible environment they live to a day of learning and playing, not to mention the yummy foods that some of them never had the chance to eat before. It was rewarding that I could use my new passion to give back to the community like that. I visited a few creches in the township of Alexandria and to see how the kids live was both heartbreaking and motivating, it made me realize that there are different levels of poverty the shacks are one tiny rooms and a family lives there, they use chemical toilets that are shared between a lot of other shacks and it’s not clean as you might imagine.
I always get carried over when I talk about Magical Moments, the project is all about my beliefs, they don’t just give what they need but they plant a little seed of hope inside each one of the little hearts that comes to Injabulo, that how the project building is called, a happy place in Zulu language.
My approach to any challenge is to look at it as a step up that needs more attention, especially when you know there are bigger problems than yours.
As you know, we’re big fans of you and your work. For our readers who might not be as familiar what can you tell them about what you do?
I am a portrait photographer known for my innovative, minimalist, and intimate portraits. I’m specialized in motherhood and beauty photography, and my style blends fashion and lifestyle portraits. My focus is on styling stunning and unique photography sessions. I love the planning process, I have endless lists hahaha even list of lists!
Photography is my passion and my purpose. I strive every day to become better and I love the journey. I am fortunate to do what I’m passionate about, and that makes me happy every day!
Alright so before we go can you talk to us a bit about how people can work with you, collaborate with you or support you?
I’m always happy to jump into new projects. Whenever I’m planning anything, I post in my Facebook page Erika Matos photography and my Instagram account @ematos_ photos
Contact Info:
- Website: www.erikamatosphotography.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ematos_photo/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/erikamatosphotography/
Image Credits
Erika Matos Photography
