aria

meet aria

meet aria

After years of a tumultuous, unstable childhood, I moved out at the age 15 to give myself a shot at having a better life. I spent the following decade learning from the best in New York, navigating my way through the entertainment and fashion industry. At the age of 20, I found myself working for everyone from Jay Z to Versace and by the age of 25 I started my own photography company which took me around the world. I spent the next 14 years living in seven countries and traveling to 23. I’ve been privileged to be booked in the most beautiful places on earth to document exotic excursions and high profile events. 

It wasn’t until my mid-30s while on vacation that I discovered a family secret. Having attended seven different schools, I found it odd that we were continuously moving, and while walking down the street on a trip to New Orleans I discovered my mother kidnapped my siblings and I from our father out of spite.

It wasn’t until a couple of years later that I decided to speak on a podcast about this secret, thinking no one would ever hear it. I have been told for decades to share my story, particularly as someone with zero social media who lives a very adventurous but quiet, private life. Each podcast I’ve spoken on accumulated no less than a million views within a day, some reaching 6 million views, with one show take the number 1 spot on Apple Podcasts in their category.

It’s taken me about a year to realize the importance of my story, the importance of representation and to truly process the response I received from hundreds of thousands of people. If my story causes an educator to think twice and question the safety of a student, or inspires someone to realize their circumstances only holds them back if they let them,, then going through all of this was worth it.

As someone who has navigated this world alone, I’m in a place where I’m ready to hang up my camera and prioritize helping others, particularly those who grew up as I did to show them that regardless of your current circumstances, your wildest dream is easier to achieve than you think.

the works

MY ENTREPRENEURIAL JOURNEY

1

I was 10 years old when I received my first camera and spent my free time as a kid photographing the city or simply spying on my neighbors.

Sneaking my camera into places became a habit in my twenties. Whether making my way into the tents at Fashion Week with my friends or sneaking my camera backstage at Madison Square Garden, my camera was always present. This allowed me to build my portfolio organically.

When starting my own business, I landed a lot of high profile clients such as Dr. Fauci, Johnson & Johnson, the King of Spain and more. Over the past three years, I somehow got into destination photography, photographing exotic excursions around the world.

www.planesandpixels.com

PLANES & PIXELS

2

MY SWEET NANA

Due to the pandemic in 2020, I was forced to put my photography business on pause. Just weeks before the lockdown, my Nana had also passed away.

Trapped in my tiny apartment in Harlem, grieving the loss of the most important person to me, I found myself in the kitchen baking. It was one of the many things my Nana taught me as a child and by mixing my creative skills with her culinary skills, I created edible art. These stunning sugar cookies grabbed the attention of Central Park, the World Trade Center and other landmarks in the city. I also sold to small businesses throughout the US as well as creating custom pieces for events.

I eventually closed due the high demand and wanting to get back on the road once the lockdown was over but I still get requests every year to reopen.

I’m thinking about it…

3

ARIA’S ADVENTURES

“You should write a book!” is something a year at least every other week but I have absolutely no desire to write an autobiography or tell-all book.

A children’s book series however, has always been a dream of mine and is currently in the works. I’ve completed the writing for most of the series and I’m currently working with an illustrator to complete the first three books!

let’s talk

PODCAST STATS

Previous Podcasts:

speaking  topics

  • Discussing family trauma, the importance of breaking generational cycles, and how to thrive while navigating life alone.

  • Building an international business at the age of 25, managing high profile clients, and doing so with zero social media presence.

  • Sharing my experience of navigating male-dominated industries, managing my own business internationally, and being inspired my the countless female entrepreneurs I interned or worked for at a young age.