Today we’d like to introduce you to Marie-B Cilia De Amicis.
Marie-B, we appreciate you taking the time to share your story with us today. Where does your story begin?
Photography came into my life through a lifelong fascination with people and cultures. I was born in Tunisia and grew up surrounded by different traditions, colors, and ways of life. That early experience taught me to observe rather than simply look, and it shaped the way I see the world today.
Before becoming a full-time photographer, I spent many years in the airline industry. Traveling and meeting people from every corner of the world deepened my curiosity about humanity and reinforced my belief that, despite our differences, we share the same emotions, hopes, and struggles.
When I began photographing seriously, I realized I wasn’t interested in creating perfect portraits or carefully staged scenes. Instead, I was drawn to those fleeting, unguarded moments that disappear a second later—a glance, a gesture, a beam of light, or a quiet interaction that reveals something deeply human. My camera became a way of preserving those moments before they vanished.
My commitment to the arts has extended beyond my own photography. For nearly five years, I served as President of the Washington Printmakers Gallery, helping guide the organization and support fellow artists. I also created the Washington Print Foundation Studio, which offers classes and workshops to artists of all levels. Although I later stepped down from the Gallery to devote more time to my own artistic journey, I continue to volunteer as Director of Education, overseeing the Studio and helping it grow.
Today, my work blends documentary and fine art photography. Whether I’m in a remote village in Papua New Guinea, the deserts of India, the streets of Washington, DC, or along the coast of California, I look for images that speak about connection, dignity, resilience, and our shared humanity. My photographs have been exhibited internationally, including my solo exhibition Moments Exceptionnels in Washington, DC, and continue to evolve as I explore cultures and everyday life around the world.
Looking back, I realize that photography has never been about collecting beautiful images. It has been about listening, learning, and building bridges between people. Every photograph is an invitation to pause, to look beyond appearances, and to recognize ourselves in someone else’s story. If my work encourages even one person to see another culture—or another human being—with greater empathy, then I feel I have succeeded.
Alright, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
Not at all. Like many artists, I’ve faced the challenge of finding opportunities in a highly competitive field where recognition often comes slowly and selling fine art photography is never guaranteed. Learning to accept rejection as part of the process has been one of my biggest lessons.
Another challenge was that I came to photography later in life, after a successful career in the airline industry. and teaching.Starting over required confidence, patience, and a willingness to keep learning. There were times when I questioned whether I belonged in the art world, but every exhibition, every meaningful conversation with viewers, and every image that truly reflected my vision reminded me why I chose this path.
I’ve also devoted a significant amount of time to supporting other artists. Serving as President of the Washington Printmakers Gallery and creating the Washington Print Foundation Studio were deeply rewarding experiences, but they also meant that my own artistic practice sometimes had to take a back seat. Stepping away from those leadership responsibilities allowed me to refocus on creating my own work while continuing to volunteer as Director of Education for the Studio.
Looking back, I don’t see those experiences as setbacks. They shaped me as both an artist and a person. They taught me resilience, patience, and the importance of staying true to my own vision rather than chasing trends or quick success.
Appreciate you sharing that. What else should we know about what you do?
I am a documentary and fine art photographer based in the Washington, DC area. My work explores human connection, cultural identity, and the quiet moments that reveal our shared humanity. I am particularly drawn to photographing people in their everyday lives, capturing authentic, unposed moments that transcend cultural and geographic boundaries.
My path to photography was not a conventional one. After a career in the airline industry, (and teaching )where I had the opportunity to travel extensively and meet people from many different cultures, I decided to dedicate myself fully to photography. Those experiences shaped the way I see the world and continue to influence my work today.
Over the years, my photographs have been exhibited nationally and internationally, including my solo exhibition Moments Exceptionnels in Washington, DC. Beyond my own artistic practice, I believe strongly in supporting the creative community. I served for nearly five years as President of the Washington Printmakers Gallery and founded the Washington Print Foundation Studio, where I continue to volunteer as Director of Education, helping develop classes and workshops for artists of all levels.
Whether I am photographing in Papua New Guinea, India, Namibia, or in my own community, my goal remains the same: to create images that invite viewers to pause, look more closely, and discover the dignity, beauty, and resilience that connect us all.
Where we are in life is often partly because of others. Who/what else deserves credit for how your story turned out?
I have been fortunate to have many people encourage me throughout my journey. Fellow artists, friends, curators, and members of the Washington arts community have believed in my work, challenged me to grow, and opened doors that I might not have opened on my own. Their confidence gave me the courage to continue, especially during moments when self-doubt inevitably crept in.
I have always believed that success is something to be shared. Throughout the years, I have tried to give back by mentoring interns and emerging artists, helping them build confidence, prepare workshop content, and discover professional opportunities. I have also helped friends and colleagues find employment, secure housing during difficult times, and even assisted one artist in opening a gallery and developing its educational art program.
Those experiences have been as meaningful to me as my own artistic achievements. I believe that a creative community grows stronger when artists support one another, and I hope that the encouragement I received has been reflected in the encouragement I have been able to offer others.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.mariebphotographs.com/
