Mika Street
Mika is a Mill Valley, CA based photographer who has a passion for capturing the beauty of landscapes, seascapes, and travel through the lens of her camera. With an eye for capturing the essence of each place she visits, Mika has a talent for showcasing the world in all its beauty and diversity. Her work is characterized by the use of natural, ethereal light and a deep appreciation for the world around her.
Tell us a little about your background and what led you to photography.
I was born in Israel and had a unique childhood having lived on a boat for three years before moving to South Florida. My early years sparked a lifelong love affair with travel and adventure and that passion for exploration seeps into my parenting and luckily my profession as well.
My journey to becoming a photographer was circuitous, with detours that included a stint in corporate work at one of the big 5 consulting firms and a successful career as an independent entrepreneur owning and operating Pilates studios in NYC and the Hamptons. Time at home with my two children has given me the space and perspective to shift my career and to fuel my passion for photography.
How has motherhood informed or changed your current career path?
In its entirety! I started my first company when I was 24 and operated it for almost a decade. In many ways it was my first baby. I worked tirelessly on it and loved it dearly, but I knew I did not want a business that had the same 24/7 demands when starting a family. As the years have progressed, I have learned that there is such a thing as balance, but my younger version could not see that. I tried launching a few businesses when my kids were babies, but I found myself pulling away in the 11th hour. I really struggled to figure out how to have a career/start up and be with my kids in the way I wanted.
I am so grateful for that struggle as I slowly let go of my preconceived notions and gave myself the time to fully embrace being a mom. I never intended on turning my love of photography into a business, but my husband kept planting the seeds and one day I woke up ready to share it with the world. Photography fills my creative bucket which in so many ways makes me a better mother as well.
Tell us something that is bringing you joy as a mother right now.
Watching my children play together. There is nothing that fills me with more joy than watching them support each other and deeply enjoy their sibling relationship. My children are very different from one another, but they can each engage in the other's activity of choice. This past winter we visited my family in Florida and they would wander off for hours at a time to play, giggle and create together; the best part is they each take turns at leading and supporting.
As your children grow older, what are a few ways you hope to give them some independence?
My kids are extraordinarily independent, so I am not actively creating new independent opportunities. I am mainly trying to slow the clock as I think they are ready for me to hand over my car keys and get out the way. Jokes aside, I love watching them advocate for themselves and independently manage situations in which they need support.
What are your favorite types of images to capture?
Ocean, water, occasionally farm animals and of course my kids when they are cooperating.
What do you do for self-care?
My greatest form of self care is hiking with friends and my husband. Being outdoors in nature, moving my body and spending time with people I care about is completely bucket-filling for me. Yoga and Pilates keep me flexible and have been practices of mine for the past 25 years. My health goals are longevity oriented, and I truly believe there is nothing better for you than a yoga and Pilates practice. Taking photos in nature is a mediative practice for me, so I really get to blend my career into my self care practice.
What is your morning routine like?
I am very much a morning person, but not a cold weather person, so this time of year is always a struggle for me. I want to jump out of bed and tackle the day but I have an Eight Sleep that makes my bed toasty at 5am, so I often find myself reading for the first 30-45 mins. I love the early hours and often use it for editing photos and work correspondence. When the weather warms and the sun shines earlier I will head outside for a morning walk, and when in Costa Rica, a morning surf. I wish that was a year round practice.
My kids start their day at 7 but are often up earlier, so one can usually expect to see my son cooking breakfast burritos and belting Les Miserables songs at the top of his lungs by 7 sharp (if not a little before). My daughter will wait in bed until we get some morning snuggles in; I savor those moments and never want them to end!
Recent household favorites your family are enjoying?
1. The Yoto has had a rebirth in our home! When we first got it, it mainly sat unused, but my kids love the daily news and morning jokes on it.
2. The Harry Potter series We are living and breathing Hogwarts currently, including outdoor games of Quidditch. I am reading the series to Sky and Gray has reread every book more times than I can count.
3. Bula Kids Base Layer Sets - I would love to share a beautiful material in a neutral palate, but my kids picked the wildest prints in a rather stiff material and live in them Fri afternoon until Sunday evening.
4. Gratitude Notebooks - we set a goal to all write or share one thing we are grateful for daily and are off to a great start so far. We are committed to teaching our kids the importance of focusing on the positive and hope this is a step towards that objective.
5. Nikki Rene Pajama Set My kids and I equally love these super soft PJs in organic cotton and pima. My talented friend hand paints the designs and produces the line.
Any local favorite outings and activities to do with your kids?
Marin has endless outdoor adventures and we try to always take advantage of them! We are currently in Winter mode which means heading up to Tahoe most weekends as our kids are both on the Sugarbowl ski team. The rest of the year we tend to gravitate to the beach - Stinson is my favorite but we go to Rodeo and Muir when we have less time. I love family hikes and I have learned that as long as they have a friend to join them they will climb anything. Of course Mt. Tamalpais is our very favorite.
