Arts and Culture: Jobs Landed

My job seeks breakthrough opportunities for connecting community and economic development efforts throughout metro-Detroit with one of the world's premier art museums. The DIA is a magical place and home to creative works and inspiring spaces that are invaluable to the region. My work aims to connect Detroit's revitalization efforts with the DIA and the broader arts and culture community in innovative and creative ways. It's an honor to be one of the Detroit Revitalization Fellows, which is group of professionals working throughout the region to accelerate Detroit's revitalization efforts across governmental, nonprofit and community and economic development partners.

I worked as a Journalist for several years but moving to the US in 2008 put my life to a different perspective. I was looking for a way of expressing myself and the universal visual language of photography offered me a perfect creative outlet. After a couple of years of studying photography and assisting on sets in San Francisco, I relocated to Ann Arbor and decided to open my own photography studio. In my work as a wedding and event photographer, I am the observer, not the creator to an existing scene. I use visual language to tell stories and I pride myself in being able to capture the personalities of my clients. I had the opportunity to photograph celebrities on the Venice Film Festival`s red carpet this September 2011 and traveling, quite frankly, is the best part of my job.

My job allows for me to work and meet an array of volunteers from across the Metro Detroit area. Thousands of volunteers walk through the doors of The Parade Company on a daily basis, eager to work and give a helping hand. My position in particular works specifically with 30+ volunteers who give guided tours around The Parade Company Studios year round. Guests who partake on these guided tours have the privilege to have a behind the scenes look at what it takes to create a float from idea to finished product, how to get involved with The Parade Company along with gaining knowledge about The Parade Company’s many events they put on yearly. I work side by side with the Director of Volunteers and Tour Services to book and coordinate all tours. While working at The Parade Company I have also had the chance to work on many special events.

 I started my own business as a photographer five years ago while I was finishing college in Rochester,  as I found a lot of friends in my personal extended network getting engaged. For me, photography was something I knew I always wanted to do for work since it was already a passion throughout my life. It was just a matter of getting started when I did, which launched my success at an early age. Since I have always felt talented creatively, I have been working to expand my business in the past year to offer my fine art photographs on canvas for sale, as well as begin designing more as a graphic artist as well as interior decorating consulting & services. My favorite part of my job is the flexibility to work when & where I like, and traveling the country to photograph people in love. The flexibility was key for me, as I have also been raising my five year old as a single parent simultaneously since I started my self-employment. I love being a photographer because I love seeing & creating. Finding beauty or uniqueness in something and translating that from my personal point of view is so fulfilling as a creative.

Generally I help staff members with any IT issues they are having.  I program and administer our public website, ticketing website and our staff Intranet.  I am a database administrator and write reports and extract sales data for the organization.  I enjoy working at the Detroit Symphony Orchestra and seeing music and music education brought to our community.

I am responsible for designing, creating, marketing and selling hand blown fine art glass.