Yaemi Matias - Soul Dreamin
Yaemi Matias
Yaemi aka Yogi is the mystic and dreamer behind Soul Dreamin, an independent, visual art brand. As a visual artist specializing in photography and cinematography, she uses image making as her medium to express healing works for the soul. Yaemi continues to evolve as an artist, and her style of work has grown and has inspired many to capture and share themselves naturally. When you view her imagery and art, you truly feel something - it’s as if a part of your soul comes back to life.
Yaemi is an expressionist, a light, truly a wonderful woman and inspiration. I am so happy to introduce you to her light and her work, as we continue on this journey of joy and connection together.
I’D LOVE IT IF YOU’D INTRODUCE YOURSELF, WHAT YOU DO, AND HOW EVERYTHING GOT STARTED.
I'm Yaemi aka Yogi and I'm an analog and digital photographer based in Miami, FL. Right now my focus is on film photography and building @artistic_healers as an individual brand.
My goal with what I do is to tell the stories of people of color, support women, heal with imagery and keep art alive. Also, I’m a mystic and dreamer, inspired by both the light and darkness within the human trinity, and my intention is to use that as a tool to share a narrative for people of color, especially women.
I got started in 2014 when I moved to New York alone at 21. It was shortly after I found my passion for photography and decided to pursue it as my full-time career. When I moved all I did was figure out how to start and so Soul Dreamin was born and Artistic Healers as well, but Artistic Healers didn't become a platform until 2017 when I realized it was the way that I can help others.
It sounds like it’s been an incredible journey. WHAT INSPIRED THE WORK YOU’RE DOING NOW?
Honestly just seeing such a white washed industry and knowing the dark emotions that humans endure and the want to change that.
To give you a little background, my journey began with photography in Broward County, FL. where I was raised. Shortly after I moved back to New York City, where I was born, to pursue my newly found passion.
After soul searching in the city and moving back to South Florida, I launched Soul Dreamin and began my business career by servicing clients with lifestyle and maternity portraits. A year later, I began offering video services and have worked on filming, directing and producing short films and promotional videos for artists and small business owners. I also released a personal short film, Sad Princess, and worked on collaborative projects to continuously find innovative ways to enhance my craft. All the while, I pushed a mini series called Soularoids to connect in person with others while on a mission to keep physical photo prints alive. I also curated events including a film screening and an all female photowalk in Miami, FL and an event for the latest project #ArtisticHealers in Hallandale Beach, FL.
Since founding Soul Dreamin, I am now based in South Florida where I work to keep my art thriving and also working with the community to keep their dreams alive. A couple of these ventures include volunteering with an after girls club to show middle school young ladies the craft of photography at AWOM Lab in Dania Beach, FL, supporting the LGBTQA community at FIU Campus in Miami, FL while participating on the Art as Activism Panel Discussion, participating in Career Day at Pines Charter School in Pembroke Pines, FL, and supporting mental awareness with discussion on the forum presented by Fall like Feathers.
WHAT IS YOUR BIGGEST PASSION? DO YOU FEEL LIKE YOU’RE LIVING YOUR PASSION AND PURPOSE?
My biggest passion is creating imagery and I am living it. It wasn't always this way nor was it an easy road. I also feel like everyday my purpose is being enhanced and changed, somedays I am uncertain and feel like I want to do too much and sometimes I know I can and that I'm doing it.
WHAT IS YOUR JOY BLUEPRINT? WHAT LIGHTS YOU UP, BRINGS YOU JOY, AND MAKES YOU FEEL THE MOST ALIVE?
My joy blueprint is to spend time in nature, eat my favorite fruits, read a book, spend time with my lover, watch anime and what makes me feel the most alive is photographing.
WHAT WOULD YOUR YOUNGER SELF THINK ABOUT WHAT YOU’RE DOING NOW?
My younger self would not believe it nor see it coming. When I look back now I see the hints of my interests that show this is what I would be doing.
DO YOU HAVE A GO-TO MANTRA OR AFFIRMATION?
"Eye am using the magic within to change my reality and manifest my dreams."
WHAT IS YOUR BIGGEST DREAM?
My biggest dream is to create a positive representation of POC and see it help the young and the adult create a better Earth.
Learn more about Yaemi and connect with her on Instagram @souldreamin on YouTube Soul Dreamin and on her website SoulDreamin.com
Joy Corner is a new interview-style blog series brought to you by Seek The Joy Podcast. Our mission continues to be a desire to share your stories, truths, joys and inspiration in your words. We invite you to join our corner, and share your joys, passions, and moments of inspiration as we continue to seek the joy, together. Join this series here