Today we’d like to introduce you to Miah Bofill.
Miah, before we jump into specific questions, why don’t you give us some details about you and your story.
For my whole life, I’ve been a dreamer and a feeler. I grew up in a huge family that was always growing and changing. I’m a biological kid but my family has been growing in the through adoption for twenty years. With life always changing and everyone always needing something, I found refuge and comfort in being alone; adventuring outdoors or drawing or playing music or dancing. I had so much inside of me, and art, in one way or another, was the way I expressed myself.
That self-expression finally found its hands on a camera around the age of seven. My oldest sister was in photography class at the time and would always be shooting around the house. She was and is still one of my biggest idols, so it was only natural that I wanted to do exactly what she was doing. So, I was given a camera and I’ve never not had one since then. I’ve always had an eye for seeing beauty and realness both in nature and also in the people around me.
Before I ever took photos, I would see things outside and in people — I would notice little moments between humans that filled me up and shaped the way that I saw the world. I think that photography was just the perfect way for me to show other people exactly what I was seeing. From a young age, I would make my friends get in front of my camera and I started experimenting. I shot my first wedding when I was 13 and then another at 15. I loved doing it and for whatever reason, other people loved what I was doing too! It was a hobby for me for a long time, but in the back of my mind, I always knew that that’s what I would do for a sustainable forever job. After getting married 3 1/2 years ago, I was working a normal job in a coffee shop and still shooting here and there, but I was so ready to be done working for someone else. With the encouragement of my sweet husband, I decided that it was just time to go all in and make it my full-time gig. Since then, I have only fallen more and more in love with it. It’s taken me across the world, I’ve met some of the most wonderful people and I’ve photographed beautiful stories.
We’re always bombarded by how great it is to pursue your passion, etc – but we’ve spoken with enough people to know that it’s not always easy. Overall, would you say things have been easy for you?
I don’t think anything of great value is ever always easy. For me, the hardest part has been taking my “gift”, if you will, and allowing it to grow in front of people. I’ve always been very reserved when it comes to letting others see the deep and intimate parts of me, and I really like to master a skill before doing it publicly. With photography, and specifically when I chose to grow a business out of it, I knew I was going to have to grow publicly because otherwise, I would never get anywhere. It’s hard to throw yourself out there, in a sea of thousands of other people doing the same thing as you and have confidence that your work and your heart are actually worth someone’s time. I’ve had an unbelievable number of ups and downs – there are days that I am so proud of my work and I feel fulfilled and excited to keep growing; and then there are days that the weight of comparison and insecurity hit like a punch in the gut and I have no idea why I’m doing this.
But what I’m learning and practicing and what I would encourage every young woman, or any person really, who is pursuing their dreams to do, is to do for you and no one else. Stop comparing and trying to mimic. Figure out your “language” and then speak it loud and proud. If you feel fulfilled and proud of anything that you’re doing, I promise it is so much more worth it, rather than getting tons of likes or followers or “being” whatever the heck we are trying to be nowadays. If your heart has a dream, let it dream. Let it fly and soak in the joy of what you’re doing and let that be the driving force to keep going. You’re worth it, your work is worth it, and you have something unique to share with the world.
Please tell us more about your work, what you are currently focused on and most proud of.
I am a photographer of people and love. My focus and favorite thing is capturing couples – whether it be a wedding day, an intimate elopement on the other side of the world, a 60th wedding anniversary, a chill afternoon at home, a just because… an anything. I am proud that my work is unique and I believe I capture things in a different way. I’m a self-taught photographer and am doing it only because I adore doing it. When I’m shooting or planning a session, I’m not thinking through a five step plan I learned in school or a certain set of poses; I’m just making art from feeling and story and the beauty that I see in front of me. I think that is part of what sets me apart – I’m truly interested in you. I’ve always been able to see the deep heart of people, and I’m extremely sensitive to and passionate about the individuality of each and every person. I love discovering and celebrating what makes me, me; and it’s the way I see everyone else too. So when that translates into photography, I want to capture you and your story because it is different from anyone else and worth celebrating.
Looking back on your childhood, what experiences do you feel played an important role in shaping the person you grew up to be?
For everyone, our young years play such a huge part in our later life and I’m no different. I was blessed enough to have the two best parents on the planet who were intentional and so full of love. I was raised in a home and mindset that self-expression and understanding were encouraged and embraced. I have a Dad who is in love with the outdoors, camping, hiking, all of it and I grew up living on five acres. So, I had the freedom to roam and explore and fall in love with life. I was taught discipline and self-awareness. I watched two wonderful humans care for a family, build a business and set a consistent example of serving and loving anyone and everyone they came in contact with. I’m so grateful for the upbringing I had and the way that it has shaped me today.
Contact Info:
- Website: miahimages.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/miah.bofill/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Miah.B.Images/
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