Meet Vimala Faith

We had the good fortune of connecting with Vimala Faith and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Vimala, what was your thought process behind starting your own business?
I started Vimala Faith Photo out of a love for capturing feelings and emotions that are uniquely human and deeply moving. My art centers on how people move with and within the natural elements. I cherish the practice of sacred witnessing—by that, I mean honoring the preciousness and uniqueness of each fleeting moment. As a photographer, I have the privilege to truly see, witness, and hold space for people in their authenticity.

Whether I’m capturing a modern dancer in the forest, an aerialist soaring above an audience, or a fire performer illuminating the desert sunrise, each moment feels like a ritual in motion. Our existence is art personified, and I created Vimala Faith Photo to celebrate and share that beauty with the world.

Alright, so let’s move onto what keeps you busy professionally?
At Vimala Faith Photo, I strive to capture the raw emotion, movement, and natural beauty that make life feel magical. My work focuses on elemental portraits, dynamic movement, and the awe-inspiring connection between humans and nature. From fiery performances at Burning Man to intimate, soulful portraits, I aim to highlight the passion, energy, and unique stories of each subject. Through my lens, I seek to create art that feels alive—celebrating the beauty of motion, the power of creativity, and the moments that make us feel most connected to ourselves and the world around us.

To be honest, I have my ups and downs, just like everyone else. Some days, I don’t feel proud. But when I take a step back and look at all the art I’ve created, I’m reminded of my resilience and passion. So, to answer what I’m proud of: I’m proud that I continue to make art in a world that sometimes doesn’t value it.

I am still learning and growing. I started my official LLC for my business two years ago, and it has been a lot of learning. As an artist, the business side of things isn’t my favorite—I’d always rather be in the woods taking photos. But I will say, it’s empowering to run my own business and to say, I did it.

It hasn’t been easy. It takes a strong belief in yourself. For years, I didn’t consider myself an artist. But something shifted in 2022 when I had a corporate job as a photographer. I realized my soul needed to create the art it yearned for. My place in this world is to make art, and I couldn’t deny it.

When things get tough, I remind myself to have faith that it will all work out. Life is a journey, and my biggest lesson has been to cultivate gratitude.

I want the world to know there is hope for the future of art. I want the world to honor Mother Nature and to truly feel something when they see my work. Allow yourself to be vulnerable, to feel, to be present.

I hope to inspire people to be art themselves. My story is still unfolding. I have big dreams, and I hope to spark that same sense of possibility in others.

Let’s say your best friend was visiting the area and you wanted to show them the best time ever. Where would you take them? Give us a little itinerary – say it was a week long trip, where would you eat, drink, visit, hang out, etc.
I currently live in Tampa, Florida, where I was born. Florida has some of the most unique natural beauty. Whenever anyone comes to visit, I definitely must take them to the springs. We have gorgeous crystal clear water running up from the aquifer. The limestone beneath the surface creates an intricate cave system that you can dive through. You can also kayak the many spring fed rivers to see all the natural wildlife such as the manatees.
Some of my favorite places to eat are Bamboozle, Cafe Hey, Flan Factory, La Teresita, Mekenita Cantina and Ebisu Sushi.

Who else deserves some credit and recognition?
There are so many people who have supported and inspired me, and I have to give a shoutout to a few of them.

Over 10 years ago, Derek Prospero came into my life and showed me how to take an image and transform it into magic with Photoshop. That freedom of creativity sparked a desire in me that I hadn’t experienced before. He has been a dear friend and mentor ever since. We still share our projects with each other, and he always pushes me to create more.

The second person I’d like to thank is Warren Seng. In 2017, he introduced me to fire performance and the Burning Man world. Without him, I wouldn’t be where I am today.

The third group I can’t leave out is the Burning Man Organization. My world was transformed in 2018 when I attended my first burn as fire safety for a NYC-based fire dance group. The following year, I went as that group’s documentarian, and now I’ve just completed my fifth year at the burn. I’m thrilled to share that I hold a position as one of the main fire photographers for the Fire Conclave—a collection of fire dance groups.

I was offered this position in 2020, just before the pandemic, and finally fulfilled the role starting in 2022. Each year, I capture over 20,000 photos of the artists who bring their magic to the playa. I’m deeply honored to have this role, which has given me the validation of feeling like a true artist.

Lastly, I must thank my manager, S. Edward Eastep. We met in 2019, and it feels like he has believed in me from day one. In 2022, he placed a Blackmagic video camera in my hands, igniting my love for film creation. He continuously supports me to dream bigger.

I wish I could thank every single person, but I feel like that would take forever.

Website: vimalafaith.com

Instagram: @vimalafaithphoto

Image Credits
1. Jen Fairy 2. Alannis Marie 3. KC Allen 4. Alex Arriaza 5. Gaby Rosa 6. Samantha Mixan 7. Charlie Bisquit 8. Lydia Lux