Where you grew up and your background can often have surprising effects on our lives and careers. We’ve asked folks from the community to tell us about how their background has affected them.

Maria Martinez | Wedding photographer and videographer

I was born and raised in Spain, studied marketing, and have always loved design. One of my first memories is of my dad recording everything with a video camera and editing the videos on the computer (we’re talking about the 90s). Thanks to that, I have videos of myself and my family from when I was young, which is very special to me. My brother taught me everything about computers, and I spent a lot of time with my mom in her office.  Read more>>

Trina Slade-burks | Artist, Author, Curator, Art Educator

I am originally from New York City. Born in Harlem & raised in the Bronx. Moved to Palm Beach County 33 years ago when I got married. Though my mother passed away when I was 9 years old, she along with several other family members were all artists. My father, a non-creative, encouraged me both academically and creatively. He never discouraged the role that art played in my life. Read more>>

Chloe Chelz | Executive Director, Pelican Harbor Seabird Station

I grew up in Kansas in a small college town set within the tall grass prairie of the Flint Hills. My parents both studied art in Chicago and my father taught at a university, so we had summers off to take cross country camping trips and visit many museums and historical sites of interest as well as many National Parks. My dual interest in art and the environment stemmed from these early experiences, and my winding career path has led me on a similarly varied trajectory, hopscotching between both the humanities and sciences. Read more>>