Today we’d like to introduce you to Sharma Shari RODRIGUEZ COLON.
Hi Sharma Shari, please kick things off for us with an introduction to yourself and your story.
Hey there! I’m Sharma — a photographer, artist, and recovering computer engineer from Puerto Rico. Yep, I once thought I’d spend my life in a cubicle writing code… but after three years of fluorescent lights and corporate coffee, I realized I was meant to chase light instead. So I packed up, moved to Atlanta, and earned my MFA in Photography from the Savannah College of Art and Design.
That’s where I learned to turn feelings into images and theory into art. My personal work dives into the messy beauty of identity — what it means to be both Puerto Rican and American, to belong everywhere and nowhere all at once. Along the way, I was a finalist in Nikon’s 29th and 30th Annual College Photography Contests and even snagged the Audience Choice Award at the Florida Museum of Photographic Arts’ “15 Minutes of Fame” talk (yes, I used all 15).
Since landing in Florida in 2009, I’ve traded gallery walls for dance floors and Disney castles, photographing everything from heartfelt weddings to brand stories for companies like Google and Walt Disney Parks. These days, I work with couples and clients who like to do things their way — the geeks, dreamers, and rule-breakers who want photos that feel as real and weirdly wonderful as they are.
Currently based in sunny South Florida, fueled by coffee, curiosity, and a deep love for stories that don’t fit into boxes.
I’m sure it wasn’t obstacle-free, but would you say the journey has been fairly smooth so far?
Has it been a smooth road? Not even close — but I wouldn’t trade it. The challenges have shaped me into someone stronger, braver, and more intentional about how I live and create.
When COVID hit in 2020, the world — and my work — came to a full stop. Instead of giving up, I used that pause to rebuild, experiment, and find new ways to tell stories. In 2022, I lost my dad, and that loss shifted everything. He was my biggest supporter, and his passing reminded me to photograph with heart — to capture not just moments, but meaning.
Then in 2024, I faced cancer head-on. That year redefined what resilience looks like for me. I learned that even when your body is tired, your spirit can still blaze. Art became a form of healing — a reminder that beauty and strength can exist in the same breath.
Each of those moments carved something powerful into me: courage, gratitude, and a deep appreciation for connection. My road hasn’t been smooth, but it’s been transformative — and it’s made me the artist and woman I am today.
Thanks for sharing that. So, maybe next you can tell us a bit more about your work?
I’m a photographer, artist, and storyteller who loves capturing people as they truly are — raw, joyful, and unapologetically themselves. I specialize in weddings, portraits, and creative projects that celebrate authenticity over perfection.
I’m most proud of turning life’s hardest moments — from losing my dad to surviving cancer — into fuel for my art. Those experiences deepened my empathy and made me see light differently.
What sets me apart is how I connect. I don’t just take photos — I see people. I create space for them to feel seen, celebrated, and powerful in their own story.
What does success mean to you?
For me, success isn’t about money, fame, or followers — it’s about alignment. It’s waking up and knowing I’m living a life that feels like mine. Success is creating art that moves people, being present with those I love, and finding light even in the hard moments.
After everything I’ve lived through, success now means being alive, healthy, and doing what I love with purpose. It’s having the freedom to choose creativity over fear, connection over perfection, and joy over survival.
If my work helps someone feel seen or reminds them of their own strength, that’s success to me.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://sharmashari.com
- Instagram: http://www.instagram.com/sharmashari
Image Credits
All photos are (c) Sharma Shari Photography
