We had the good fortune of connecting with Miguel Josue Martinez and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Miguel Josue, why did you decide to pursue a creative path?
Photography as a career realistically would be unsmart with a industry that is very saturated, unconventional, and based around luck. Knowing this I still would always choose to be a photographer and devote my energy into something I love and truly have a passion for. Life isn’t a one way path and having the quote “If you never try, you’ll never know,” in my mind, I know I will never regret the direction I took. 

Alright, so let’s move onto what keeps you busy professionally?
Stylistically I would say my photography has always been define, as in someone could tell it is me behind the camera. My tones, angles, and usage of film instead of digital I would say are my trademarks. As my career goes I am still a fresh photographer still maneuvering in the industry. I feel like my career is heading in the right direction nevertheless with many hardships that I have overcame and will continue to do. In a industry/society that is based around social media my best advice that I have learned is to stop comparing yourself to others and to stay genuine. I just want my work to express my vison and show my interpterion of photography.

If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?
For breakfast/brunch is would head to my go to coffeeshop ‘Slowpokes’ on 34th st and Alba rd. Afternoon fun while in the heights area go on 19th st where we’d go antiquing and record store shopping at Vinal Edge Records. Maybe stop at The Wilde Collection and check out the wonder of that store. Then to go to all the amazing art galleries like the Houston Center for Photography to the near by Rothko Chapel/The Menil Collection and sit and enjoy our surroundings. Dinner time head towards china town and eat some amazing ramen and yakitori at Tiger Den. For desert go and get some milk tea at 7 Leaves Cafe. Midnight snack always go with Shipley’s donuts!

Who else deserves some credit and recognition?
I would like to recognize my friends and family first of all because with the support/motivation of my dad for example, I don’t think I would of made it as far as I have. I want to recognize all the people that have supported my work to them that buy my prints or just like my images truly warms my heart. There are also so many different artist that I feel deserve recognition that have influence my work and style like Cary Fagan, Gregory Crewdson, and Kelia Anne MacCluskey to name a few. Lastly, I want to recognize my professors/teachers who help guide me in this industry.

Website: https://pokismash.co/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/pokismash/
Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/pokismash/
Twitter: https://twitter.com/pokismash
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/pokismash/
Yelp: https://www.yelp.com/biz/pokismash-houston-2
Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/user/pokismash

Image Credits
Briána Leigh, Abra Meisner, Alexandrine Perin, Jacob Ibarra (Tenfold Coffee Company)

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