Arielle Velasquez has never felt as though she was good at only one thing, and out of her dreaming and being creative came her project, Allllthingscreative. Only a year ago did the California-native decide to dive into the many things that she feels make up creativity. Allllthingscreative, as shared on the site, is a way to capture the beauty in creation.
“I love that creation is a reflection of its Creator,” Velasquez wrote on her site. “Most of all, I love being reminded through a photo just how indescribably amazing and beautiful my Creator is.”
With “Allllthingscreative”, ATC, Velasquez aims to create, inspire and encourage. The most prominent ways she does that is through her photography.By exploring “all things creative” through photography, and even blogging and music does Velasquez fulfill the ultimate goal of her work mission.
“I’ve always been a creative, but I’ve just recently started dreaming,” Velasquez shared in an email.
I caught up with Arielle to see what she’s up to with “Allllthingscreative”.
Q: Explain what Allllthingscreative is. How did you come up with the name/logo? What’s the significance of the 4 L’s over the typical 2 in the word “All”?
A: Allllthingscreative is my platform and accountability to create, inspire and encourage. I have 4 prominent creative passions in my life: music, communication, photography and movement (which represent the 4 “L’s” in Allllthingscreative). The name is really just inspired by who I strive to be: a lover and adventurer of ‘allll’ things creative. And as for the logo, I wanted it to be something simple, timeless, yet meaningful. The ‘C’ on ATC replicates a mini wave. You may have already noticed my constant theme of tropical adventure... My love for the ocean is overwhelming. It’s something that continuously inspires me and my work.
Q: When did you first get your start as a photographer?
A: I started capturing personal moments when I moved to Hawaii about 3 or so years ago. Then, 1 year ago, started really diving into it.
Photo by Arielle Velasquez of Allllthingscreative of model Gabri Velasquez
Q: What's the toughest thing you've had to overcome as a creative entrepreneur?
A: Myself, definitely. Perception of self. I’ve always struggled with feeling like I’m just not good enough and that I never could be. Though I think there’s an aspect of truth to that, I’ve also learned that it’s in the imperfections-- in the struggle-- that other people can be encouraged. It’s in our uncomfortable vulnerability that people can finally see us-- and relate.
Q: How did you overcome it?
A: I think living in the hope that my comfort is worth risking if it could possibly change someone’s life for the best.
Q: How do you plan out photoshoots?
A: Depends on the project. Personal projects are just whatever is speaking to me or inspiring me currently. With weddings or other client photoshoots, I’ll try to get a gist of who they are, what they like, their inspirations. Then, I try to create something that shows who they are and who I am, all in one photo.
Q: What is your creative process?
A: I mean, that depends on what I’m creating. I don’t as much illicit creative time as I just try to live a creative life.
Photo by Arielle Velasquez of Allllthingscreative
Q: I read in one of your blog posts that you personally never felt good in any one particular craft; that you never felt confident enough to pursue them. What finally gave you the confidence to start Allllthingscreative?
A: I think by focusing more on the why. I want to change people’s worlds by creating, inspiring and encouraging people to live their fullest lives.
Q: What are some of the things that hold you back?
A: Fears. Negative internal narrative. Myself.
Q: Have there been people along the way that have offered you affirmation and support, even when you didn't think you needed it?
A: OH MY GOSH, YES!! My entire family, my Mosaic fam-- the people that I don't know or that don’t know me but write me to say how a piece of mine changed something in their life for the better. I don’t do this for the affirmation, but yo girls love language is words of affirmation. It’s always honey to the soul when I get it. Honestly, even this interview...I feel so humbled that you’d want to interview me.
Photo by Arielle Velasquez of Allllthingscreative of model Nic Lewis
Q: What projects do you hope to work on in 2017?
A: More abroad tropical adventure shoots is the hope!
Q: Do you have any dream collaborations or projects?
A: Being a personal photographer for a traveling artist would be pretty dope.
Q: What advice would you give to someone chasing their creative dream?
A: Focus on creating a craft, not just a product.
Photo by Arielle Velasquez of Allllthingscreative
Photo by Arielle Velasquez of Allllthingscreative