learn about your photographer

behind
the lens

Mariah Photographs

A deeper look: behind the lens 

starting in the dark room

Photography has been part of my life from the start—beginning in the darkroom of the ’90s to always being “the girl with the camera.” From yearbook committees to scrapbooking, I’ve spent my entire  lifetime documenting stories, and that passion has only grown stronger.

A Visual Story Teller for All Occasions. . . 

I document love stories, celebrations and portraits of all kinds, milestones, and moments that deserve to be remembered. From intimate elopements and destination weddings to heartfelt portraits, boudoir sessions, and self-branding imagery for fellow small business owners—my work is rooted in authenticity and connection.

My approach blends editorial artistry with documentary storytelling, ensuring your experience feels natural, guided, and deeply personal. Think of me as your calm presence and creative guide—helping you navigate the chaos, make intentional choices, and feel comfortable in front of the lens as we venture into the unknown, camera in hand.

Together, we create galleries that don’t just show how it looked—but bring you back to the magic and how it felt. Creating visual stories that capture the essence of who you are—every laugh, tear, and fleeting moment woven into a timeless masterpiece. With each click, I aim to leave a lasting impact, showcasing life’s beauty and the importance of real, unscripted moments.

Offering Keepsakes You Can Feel

In a world where authenticity is rare, I strive to create candid, honest, and emotionally rich portraits—the laughs, the tears, the fleeting in-between moments that matter most.

Beyond digital galleries, I believe your memories deserve to live beyond the screen. I offer thoughtfully curated heirlooms and keepsakes—high-quality online galleries, custom photo albums, wall art, stationery, engraved USBs, framed prints, and more—so your story can be held, revisited, and passed down for generations.

My Style & Philosophy

My signature style is romantic, elegant, and timeless—defined by soft, warm light and cinematic storytelling. I create a space where you feel seen, comfortable, and unapologetically yourself, capturing the little things that make your story uniquely yours.

My Work Reflects. . . 

I truly believe I was created for this work. Photography has been with me my entire life—and I’m honored to continue documenting love, legacy, and the moments that shape us.

Every laugh. Every tear. Every fleeting moment—woven into a timeless visual story.

"In a world where authenticity is rare, I strive to create candid, honest, and emotionally rich portraits"

Photography found me long before I knew it would be my full-time career. 

With both of my parents encouragement, It started in very early elementary school age—long before social media or smartphones—when I was photographing my family and friends, documenting everyday moments simply because I felt called to. By the time I reached middle and high school, I was deep into yearbook teams, photo committees, scrapbooking, and always known as "the girl with the camera". I learned early that photographs weren’t just images—they were memories, proof of connection, and pieces of history.

At just 15 years old, I photographed my very first wedding—and something clicked. The energy, the emotion, the fast-paced beauty of a wedding day felt electric. I knew I had found something special.

After high school, I continued my education through photography courses and hands-on experience, eventually launching my own business. Now, at 34 years old, I can honestly say I never left the wedding industry—because I fell in love with it. With over 19 years of professional experience and a lifetime behind the lens, photography isn’t just what I do—it’s who I am.

Where It All Began. . .

Honoring the Past, Embracing the Present; From Analog to Now

I began in the darkroom of the ’90s alongside my mother, hands-on with film developing and the magic of watching images emerge in the chemical trays. My father (Lt. Dan, lol reference from Forrest Gump) managed his fire station’s website and captured fun events with point-and-shoot cameras and early web tools. During my early elementary school years, my parents fueled that spark by and gifting me cameras for birthdays and holidays—little tools that let me document the world around me.

Fast forward to today: I rely on multiple high-quality mirrorless digital cameras (always with dual SD card slots for reliability), and many creative lenses while staying true to my analog roots by offering 35mm film photography, Super 8 film video, and even adventurous GoPro coverage. I handle every aspect of my business myself—from editing each photo gallery personally to managing website updates, my full CRM (Customer Relationship Management) workflow and social medias. 

This blend of timeless techniques, years of hands-on experience, and modern tools allows me to capture your story with genuine depth, rich texture, intention, and the confidence that comes from decades behind the lens.

a deep connection to nature, emotion, and mindfulness. Whether set against dramatic landscapes or intimate indoor spaces, my images feel grounded and immersive—blending candid and posed moments to tell stories that go beyond surface beauty.

I guide every session with intentional, fun, and emotional posing prompts that bring out genuine connection and movement. For couples, this might mean playful action prompts—dancing, walking hand-in-hand, spinning together, or leaning into each other with a whisper—that create beautiful motion blur while keeping your emotions sharp and alive. These prompts add energy, life, and a sense of real-time storytelling to the images, turning still moments into something dynamic and heartfelt.

For clients who might feel less experienced in front of the lens (or during more intimate sessions like portraits, couples, maternity or newborn and boudoir), I love implementing flow posing: starting with one strong, comfortable base pose as our foundation, then gently guiding subtle shifts and evolutions— a soft head tilt, eyes closing for a breath of presence, a gentle bend in the knee, running hands through hair or along clothing, elegant hand movements, or small weight shifts.

This approach lets one pose naturally unfold into a series of variations, creating effortless variety and softness without ever feeling forced or stiff. The result is images that stay grounded, honest, and full of quiet emotion—capturing you in a way that feels present, authentic, and deeply connected.

This blend of guided direction and organic flow ensures your experience is relaxed and enjoyable from start to finish, so we can focus on the magic of the moment. I'll even show you the images during our session to make sure you're happy with the results! 

This Is My Purpose

WITH LOVE FROM MY ARTSY-HEARTSY,
MARIAH PHOTOGRAPHS

On a personal level, I thrive on activities that nurture my mind, body, and spirit, often weaving them into my work in subtle ways. I'm a devoted yoga and Pilates enthusiast, practicing both at home for quiet reflection and in community settings where the shared energy inspires me. This flows into my love for holistic health and wellness, which keeps me grounded and ready to bring that same calm presence to your sessions. When I'm not behind the camera, I dive into DIY home renovation projects, transforming spaces with my spouse and our playful Shiba Inu by our side—moments that remind me of the joy in building a life together.

Nature calls to me constantly; I adore many different seasonal outdoor activities, hiking trails, wandering beaches, and discovering hidden gems across New England—whether it's a charming botanical garden, a historic mansion, a cozy bookstore, or an elegant wedding venue. These explorations and experiences not only recharge my soul but also expand my ever-growing list of inspiring locations for your portraits or events. As an eARTh lover, I'm out there in all weather and seasons—grounding at sunrise in the woods, getting lost in secret gardens, or embracing a snowy hike—because the raw beauty of this region is unmatched, rain or shine.

I'm also a total foodie with a culinary background that shines through in my kitchen experiments. You'll catch me at my favorite local cafes or scouting new ones, savoring the simple joys of a latte or smoothie, egg sandwich and donuts. At home, I whip up healthy, homemade meals, try out fresh recipes, and blend my own herbal teas. Nothing beats editing your galleries while sipping hot tea, matcha, golden milk, or a cozy bone broth hot chocolate, paired with an easy homemade snack—it's my ritual for staying inspired and productive.

To keep my mind buzzing, I'm hooked on audiobooks, podcasts, and YouTube—they're perfect for multitasking during drives or household chores, letting me absorb stories and ideas at a quicker pace. I do make an effort to crack open physical books too, even if they take me a bit longer; there's something timeless about holding those pages. Music is my constant companion; for focused editing or email sessions, I lean into creative vibes like lofi, instrumental, classical, or handpan tunes. When I'm feeling energized (and caffeinated!), I'll mix in EDM, classic and alt rock, metal, or nostalgic hits from the 80s, 90s, and 2000s.

At this stage in life, and as I grow older, my spouse and I are excited about growing our family someday. Right now, I'm pouring my heart into weddings, events, and portrait sessions, dedicating myself fully to this craft I adore. But as time goes on, I know I'll shift to prioritize family even more—because, as you can understand, they always come first.

It's this blend of professional devotion and personal joy that allows me to connect so deeply with your stories, creating images that feel as real and heartfelt as the life I live.

Beyond The Lens; What Fuels Me

A Day In The Life

While my passion for photography shapes my world, my days are a beautiful blend of creativity, connection, and self-care. On weekdays, you'll often find me chasing the golden light of sunrise or sunset (or even mid-day light) for portrait and boudoir photo sessions, or settling in during the mid-day hours to edit galleries with focused intention.

In between, I handle the behind-the-scenes magic—responding to emails, hopping on phone calls or Zoom meetings to collaborate with clients, and ensuring every detail aligns for a seamless experience.

Weekends are typically dedicated to capturing those once-in-a-lifetime celebrations, like rehearsals, weddings and other events, though I cherish carving out personal time too. That said, depending on the season's energy—I might sneak in a select portrait or boudoir session in on the weekends if my schedule allows for it.

What I Cherish Most

Is the trust that builds over time. Many of my clients and couples return for milestone sessions—anniversaries, new babies, family expansions—because they feel so at home in the process. I’m always excited to welcome new faces too, bringing that same warmth and intention to every story. It’s an honor to be invited back into your lives, capturing how your love and journey continue to unfold.

The entire process is fun & provides a more personal connection with the humans you work with! If you'd like to learn more about how to start your photography business, contact me!

Love what you do, never work a day in your life!

Prefer most authentic approach? Entering into the educational field - I have taught numerous starter courses on camera basics like manual mode, macro photography, as well as photography business 101! Offering one-on-one live in-person lessons, Content Days & Online Downloadable E-Guides! 

WANT TO BOOK SHOOTS LIKE THESE?

For potential photographers;

If you vibe with the above, we are a match made in art.

It's been an invigorating experience connecting with many different humans to photograph and create art in some of the most beautiful locations our mother earth has to offer! 

Based in New England + shoot all year 'round (travel available)

All untraditional love + creative souls welcome...