Hola, hola! My name is Marlene Mata.
I am a Latina photographer based in Massachusetts. I am originally from New York City. Mi familia and I grew up in Washington Heights or In the Heights (a vibrant Latino community in Upper Manhattan).
Then in 2013, I received an offer for a new job, and ended up moving to Massachusetts. To be honest, I was so homesick for NYC those first two years! I missed the Morior Soñando I would always order at my local bodega. I loved shopping on Fifth Avenue with mi amigos. I missed getting free drinks at Yankees games (psst, did you know my cousin Victor Mata was a Yankees player in the 1980s?)
In The Heights musical show and film were an absolute delight on every level and celebrated a truly vibrant, colorful, and classic storytelling that represents our history, culture, and love in the Latino neighborhoods.
Still, despite my New York roots, I came to realize that Massachusetts has won my heart. I didn’t realize how beautiful and colorful nature can be with fall foliage. I grew to love sun-gazing, with the beautiful shades of hot pink, purple and blue skies on Cape Cod (even with it’s freezing waters and sharks!) I am fascinated by 17th and 18th century historic architecture in Marblehead. And nothing can beat crispy fried scallops with homemade tartar sauce with an ocean view in Quincy.
When I was a little girl, I had a very active imagination, and I believe that is what lead me to fall in love with photography! I would envision myself on a safari ride, documenting a herd of elephants bathing in a lake in Africa. I was shooting photos of the best soup “Bun bo Hue” in a small village in Vietnam. I imagined myself running to capture the beautiful ceremonial dances of the Indigenous people of South Dakota. I secretly hoped that someday I would win an award for the best photojournalist at TIME magazine.
Growing up, I remember carefully unloading the rolls of film from my camera. I waited impatiently for two weeks while my film was being developed at the store. I remember the thrill of picking up my photos, and tearing open the package to see them right away. Photographs are like a poem. They capture a moment in time, and witness our joys and tragedies. They share a universal language that speaks to our hearts, and carry our legacy & history for future generations. Photography is a storyteller, revealing our true humanity.
Fun facts about me: I was born Deaf and American Sign Language is my native language. I can’t live without Dulce de Leche ice cream. My favorite beach in the world is Samana, Dominican Republic, a country that will forever be my second home. I have a weakness for food, fashion, and furries. I am also a mother to an amazing teen who is obsessed with skateboarding, sci-fiction, music, and traveling!