Meet Mariah Green | Photographer and Founder of JoiLuvv Creative Agency

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

Hi Mariah, why did you decide to pursue a creative path?
I have always been a very creative individual. Not just creative in an artistic sense but always trying new things and having strong creative thinking and problem solving skills. My parents pushed me to go to college for something creative instead of my first game plan which was physical therapy at the time. They knew I was creative, loved photography, and said I could be successful in a creative career. I went to The Art Institute of Colorado and graduated with my Bachelor of Arts in Photography in 2014. A few years I received my Master of Arts in Creativity Studies from The Union Institute and University in 2018.

I started my creative career in photography but since I’m so obsessed with learning new creative skills I picked up design, website design, and social media skills throughout my professional life. I decided to launch JoiLuvv Creative Agency in 2020, a one-stop shop for creative services for businesses in hospitality and wellness.

Please tell us more about your work. We’d love to hear what sets you apart from others, what you are most proud of or excited about. How did you get to where you are today professionally. Was it easy? If not, how did you overcome the challenges? What are the lessons you’ve learned along the way. What do you want the world to know about you or your brand and story?
JoiLuvv Creative Agency is what brings my all of my creative passions together in one home. Photography, social media, design and teaching through consultation. It’s a combination of creativity and professionalism which really speaks to who I am as a person.

It was difficult to get to where I am in the ways of finishing my degrees, finding clients, overcoming rejection and learning about the business side. On the other hand, it was also very easy because I love what I do and LOVE to learn! If you’re not learning, you’re not growing.

I once heard that when choosing a career path you should not only love the subject but most importantly what problems you love to solve. Because in reality, your job is always solving problems. Once I knew the problems I liked to solve, growing because much easier and more enjoyable.

Any places to eat or things to do that you can share with our readers? If they have a friend visiting town, what are some spots they could take them to?
Being located in Camarillo I feel so grateful to be surrounded by everything including agriculture, mountains, city, beach…the opportunities are endless! Since most of my family and friends are from Utah/Colorado I take them on as many ocean/beaches trips as possible being so close to beautiful and quiet beaches. I would take them kayaking in the Oxnard Harbor, I think it’s the best place because of all the sea lions! Kayaking works up an appetite and Downtown Ventura has an amazing selection of restaurants including my favorite, Limon Y Sal!

I also love a good day trip to Santa Barbara for donuts at Hook and Press, whale watching, and dinner on State Street!

The Shoutout series is all about recognizing that our success and where we are in life is at least somewhat thanks to the efforts, support, mentorship, love and encouragement of others. So is there someone that you want to dedicate your shoutout to?
Tami Chu, the editor of Edible Ojai & Ventura Magazine, is truly someone that is important to me in my journey in California.

When I first moved to California, I didn’t have clients and didn’t quite have the confidence to go out and meet new people. I wasn’t even doing photography at that time and was managing a retail bath store.

One day Tami came into my store to drop off magazines for customers and I told her about my food photography background and how I wanted to get back into it. She took a chance on me taking photos for her magazine. That photoshoot became the cover!

Since then, she has connected me to so many people in Ventura County who have become clients of mine and it gave me the confidence to go out and meet people myself because I found that I felt a belonging in my new community.

Tami is kind, creative, professional and help brings our community together. She is always supporting local businesses, farmers, and restaurants.

Website: www.joiluvv.com and www.mariahgreen.com

Instagram: @joiluvv and @mariahgreencreative

Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/mariahgreencreative/