Born and raised in the tropical Key West, Florida, Mariel began her photographic career at age 14, having spent her childhood immersed in the rich visuals of her island hometown and those she saw on the pages of magazines. Drawn to visual storytelling that walks the line between fact and fiction, her work centers documentary narratives told through the more interpretive lens of fashion imagery.

Beyond creating photographs for fashion and product brands and editorial photo stories, she is currently developing her first zine — Overwinter — in collaboration with Luna Collective Magazine's publishing program.

Several themes are recurring in her practice:
Exploration of how humans relate to and interact with their natural environments; a fascination with tactility, texture and textile in the garments we wear (and modern society's disconnect from our clothes' production); and capturing her subjects' purest form.  

Mariel's favorite subjects to photograph include fellow creatives (artists, musicians, writers, etc.), change-makers (scientists, athletes, activists, etc.) and individuals or brands with compelling, genuine stories.