We recently had the chance to connect with Violetta Markelou and have shared our conversation below.
Hi Violetta , thank you so much for joining us today. We’re thrilled to learn more about your journey, values and what you are currently working on. Let’s start with an ice breaker: What are you being called to do now, that you may have been afraid of before?
I feel a deep calling to use my voice—a space that’s long been outside my comfort zone and, truthfully, still is. But if the goal is to shift perspectives and inspire growth and change, I know it’s a step I can no longer avoid.
Can you briefly introduce yourself and share what makes you or your brand unique?
I’m a storyteller, visual artist, and holistic wellness coach and advocate devoted to illuminating the beauty, resilience, and depth of people and cultures. Through photography, I use the medium to tell real, heartfelt stories that honor identity and the human experience. I help people feel comfortable in front of the camera and encourage them to leave overthinking at the door, so they can fully step into the vision they have for themselves. I’m able to do this with my 20 years of experience in the photography game. Disarming people is my innate gift. I can’t tell you how it happens, I just know it does and the images I create reflect that.
I would say my brand in both photography and wellness is rooted in conscious visibility—bringing intentional light to the stories and communities that are often overlooked. My journey has woven together art, healing, and advocacy, driven by a deep belief that health is not a luxury, but a birthright. Right now, I’m working on projects that merge healing arts with storytelling, because I believe creativity is a vital force for transformation, especially in a city as dynamic and complex as Miami.
Okay, so here’s a deep one: Who saw you clearly before you could see yourself?
My mentor, Len Rizzi, saw talent in me before I could see it in myself. I’ll never forget walking into his studio for an interview to be his assistant—nervous, unsure, and holding my portfolio. As I waited anxiously for his feedback, he looked up and said, “You don’t need me to teach you anything. You already know what to do.” Even though I didn’t believe it at the time, that moment planted the seed of self-confidence I needed to see myself as a professional photographer. It was the first time someone truly reflected my potential back to me.
Was there ever a time you almost gave up?
Definitely! The years between 2020 and 2023 were incredibly difficult—both financially and emotionally. Overnight, both of my businesses disappeared. And if you’ve ever been through something like that, you know the hesitation that follows. It makes you question everything. You start to wonder, Was that really the path I was meant to stay on? Maybe it’s time to do something completely different? That’s when I began exploring the holistic health space as a career path. I knew the practices that helped pull me through a pandemic ( and more ) could help others as well.
I think our readers would appreciate hearing more about your values and what you think matters in life and career, etc. So our next question is along those lines. What’s a cultural value you protect at all costs?
Authenticity means everything to me. In both my creative and wellness work, I try to create space where people can just be themselves—no pressure to perform or fit into a box. I’ve learned that real connection only happens when we’re honest, even if that honesty feels a little messy or vulnerable. Whether I’m behind the camera or working with someone one-on-one, I protect that space because that’s where the real transformation starts.
Okay, we’ve made it essentially to the end. One last question before you go. If you knew you had 10 years left, what would you stop doing immediately?
I would stop overthinking EVERYTHING hahaha. Although I can be very decisive – I can also slip into a spiral of fear and worst-case scenarios.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://violettamarkelou.com/home/
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/violettamarkelou.photo/
- Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/vmphotomakeup/
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/user/ViolettaRoberto79/featured
- Other: I would like my holistic health website to be listed as well www.hausofv.life
Image Credits
Violetta Markelou
