Sumire Murillo shared their story and experiences with us recently and you can find our conversation below.
Sumire, it’s always a pleasure to learn from you and your journey. Let’s start with a bit of a warmup: Who are you learning from right now?
Right now, the person who’s had the biggest impact on me is my director at my full-time job. I’ve always been the kind of person who puts others first — I love helping and being the one people can count on. But after being promoted to a supervisor role, I realized that constantly putting everyone else’s needs before my own was holding me back.
My director saw that right away. She encouraged me to set boundaries, delegate tasks, and remember that taking care of myself isn’t selfish — it’s necessary. Her advice completely changed how I approach my work and my personal life. I’m not only a better leader because of her guidance, but I also feel less stressed and more present at home. I’m truly grateful for her mentorship and the balance she’s helped me find.
Can you briefly introduce yourself and share what makes you or your brand unique?
Hi, I’m Sumi — a portrait photographer with a big love for capturing life’s little and big moments. My journey started back in 2017 with my dad’s old Nikon camera, and I’ve been hooked ever since.
There’s something magical about freezing a moment in time — the laughter during family gatherings, the joy of celebrating milestones, or even quiet moments of self-love and reflection. I truly believe every memory, no matter how big or small, deserves to be remembered.
My goal has always been to make photography accessible to everyone. You shouldn’t have to spend a fortune just to hold on to your favorite memories. And for me, it’s also about keeping culture alive — celebrating traditions and stories even when we’re far from our home countries.
Every photo I take is a reminder that moments matter, people matter, and our stories deserve to be seen and shared.
Great, so let’s dive into your journey a bit more. What breaks the bonds between people—and what restores them?
I truly believe that consistency and trust are at the heart of every relationship — and they’re also the things that can break it. When someone shows up for you time and time again, you begin to trust not just their words, but their actions. That kind of steady presence builds a foundation that feels safe and genuine.
But when that consistency fades — when promises are broken, communication stops, or actions no longer match words — that foundation starts to crack. It doesn’t always happen all at once; sometimes it’s the small disappointments that slowly build into distance.
What restores those bonds, though, is the effort to rebuild that trust through honesty, patience, and showing up again. It’s in the apology that feels sincere, the follow-through after a mistake, and the willingness to listen and try again.
To me, it all comes back to consistency — the quiet, everyday effort that reminds people they can count on you, even after things fall apart.
If you could say one kind thing to your younger self, what would it be?
If I could say one kind thing to my younger self, it would be this: you are more important than you realize.
Growing up, I often felt unseen — like I didn’t matter or wasn’t worth the effort. My childhood was complicated, and it led me to believe that being loved meant having to earn it or chase after it. I wish I could go back and tell that younger version of me that it was never true.
Over the years, I’ve learned that sometimes it’s not that we’re unworthy of love — it’s that we were surrounded by people who couldn’t see our worth. The right people, the ones who are meant for us, will show up and remind us that we matter just as we are.
If I could hold her hand now, I’d tell her to stop chasing love that runs away and to start believing in the love that stays.
So a lot of these questions go deep, but if you are open to it, we’ve got a few more questions that we’d love to get your take on. Is the public version of you the real you?
Yes and no. The version of me that people see is real — but it’s not the whole story. What you see on the outside is someone who’s loyal, transparent, and always willing to help. And that’s genuinely who I am. But there’s also a quieter side, the part that carries struggles I don’t always let show.
I think, in a way, I’ve learned to wear strength like armor. I want people to see me as capable, grounded, and empowering — even on the days when I don’t feel that way at all. It’s not about pretending; it’s about holding myself together when I need to, and reminding myself that I can.
The real me exists in both spaces — the one who shows up strong for others, and the one who’s still learning to show up for herself. Maybe both versions are real, just seen through different lights.
Okay, we’ve made it essentially to the end. One last question before you go. When do you feel most at peace?
I feel most like myself when I’m with my family. No matter what struggles come with everyday life, being with my husband and kids always brings me a sense of peace and joy. Home is the one place where I don’t feel the pressure to be anything other than who I am.
When I’m with them, I don’t have to worry about appearances or judgment. I can laugh freely, let my guard down, and just be. There’s comfort in knowing that even when things aren’t perfect, I’m surrounded by love that feels safe and real.
It’s in the small moments — sharing a meal, watching a movie together, hearing the kids laugh — that I’m reminded that this is where my heart feels most at home, and where my truest self shines the brightest.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://unscriptedphotographers.com/airiphotography
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/airiphotos/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/airiphotography
