A Deeper Look at Mariah Photographs

Starting in the darkroom…

From the start, photography has been part of my life—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.

Where it all started

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 nearly 20  years of professional experience and a lifetime behind the lens, photography isn’t just what I do—it’s who I am.

A Visual Storyteller

For all occasions

I document love stories, celebrations, 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.

From analog to now

Honoring the Past, Embracing the Present

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, 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 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 full CRM (Customer Relationship Management) workflow and social media.

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.

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Great photography is about depth of feeling, not depth of field." Great photography is about depth of feeling, not depth of field." Great photography is about depth of feeling, not depth of field." Great photography is about depth of feeling, not depth of field." Great photography is about depth of feeling, not depth of field." Great photography is about depth of feeling, not depth of field." 

Creating 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.

"If you’re looking for someone who truly captures moments instead of just taking pictures, I cannot recommend mariah enough!"

As a wedding planner and day-of coordinator, I’ve worked with many photographers over the years, and Mariah was an absolute gem, shooting to the top of my recommended vendors list! Mariah has an incredible eye for detail and a natural ability to make everyone feel comfortable in front of the camera, which trust me, not everyone can do! She was an absolute pro at managing the wedding timeline, even when I kept throwing curveballs. Being able to adjust your process and go with the flow and STILL deliver top notch results is for sure a skill you want in a wedding photographer, and Mariah has that part down! And of course, her photos themselves are absolutely stunning! If you want photos you’ll treasure for years to come, Mariah is the one to book. Professional, talented, and genuinely wonderful to work with. Like I said, an absolute gem!"

- Nicole Hawkes

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…

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, 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!

my purpose

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.

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 on the weekends if my schedule allows for it.

beyond the lens

What fuels me

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Great photography is about depth of feeling, not depth of field." Great photography is about depth of feeling, not depth of field." Great photography is about depth of feeling, not depth of field." Great photography is about depth of feeling, not depth of field." Great photography is about depth of feeling, not depth of field." Great photography is about depth of feeling, not depth of field." 

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. 

With Love From My Artsy-Heartsy,
- Mariah Photographs

Based in New England. Shooting Year-Round. Willing to Travel

All Untraditional Love & Creative Souls are Welcome

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!

If you vibe with what’s above, we’re a match made in art!

in their words

"Mariah shot our wedding this past February and was the best decision we made for our wedding."

I posted our details and date on a local wedding planning Facebook page and had over 120 responses from photographers, i looked through every single one over a couple of days, and kept going back to Mariah and her portfolio. Her photography style matched my wants for our big day, and she blew us away with our gallery. She was so sweet, knowledgeable, and brought such a fun energy to our family portraits. She knew how to hype us up for the more intimate posed shots and we keep looking at our gallery with such fondness and can remember the emotion, she captured it all. Mariah, thank you for perfectly capturing the love we felt on our wedding day!

- Meghan & Michael

"Mariah photographed our wedding in June and she was a treat to work with."

We had multiple consults before the big day and she provided a lot of helpful insights during planning. When the day arrived she was SO easy to work with and made us and our wedding party feel right at ease. We have so many beautiful photos to remember our day with. I couldn't have asked for a better photographer!

- Megan & Steve

"Mariah is an outstanding individual, and so talented in what she does."

I’m so thankful I came across her page over 9 years ago, and finally got the chance to be photographed by her. So easy going, works well with everyone and everyone’s personalities.

- Alexis & Andrew

"We have worked with Mariah many times and have loved the photos every time!"

- Palmer Family

"Mariah is WONDERFUL to work with. She’s crafty. She cares about her clients like a close friend. And has a keen eye."

- Sean G.

"Mariah is talented beyond years, I rate her as being one of the best photographers around. Trust her with your most precious memories and you will not be disappointed."

- Noel Family

You have questions?

I have answers!

Discover more about my photography services… Whether you're curious about style, pricing, or the photo session and event planning process, find the answers you seek below! If your question isn't here, please don't hesitate to contact me directly for personalized assistance.

How would you describe your photography style and experience?

Providing and documenting real-life experiences as they unfold, and posed guidance when necessary to the gallery, my purpose is intentional when creating true emotional storytelling and cinematic imagery. Going beyond your typical elopement, wedding, portrait, or boudoir photography experience, pre-session you’ll feel at ease as we relationship-build through my customized planning process and styling guidance. Let loose or ground yourself during our session, exploring both sharp, clear imagery as well as slow shutter speeds, creating blurry motion imagery so you may feel your session even deeper. Depending on the session or event, my editing style is typically cinematic, moody, filmy, and true-to-color. Although my film photography style depends on the type of film roll used, we may use color, black-and-white, or sepia film rolls. If my style resonates with you, I am your photographer!

What is your backup process for keeping our digital and film photos safe?

During your session, all digital images are copied onto two different SD memory cards. Once in the office, all images are backed up from my SD cards onto three different external hard drives. Your dual SD memory cards are not cleared out until you approve (and love!) your completed online gallery. 35mm film photos are developed on weekdays, typically taking up to 30–60 days to develop and scan into your online gallery.

How long is the online gallery accessible? Is printing available?

Your online gallery link will expire within 3-6 months for portrait sessions and up to 1 year for weddings and events in order to keep the online gallery up to date, so be sure to download and order from the attached printing gallery. Contact me directly to order any necessary keepsakes, such as custom engraved wooden USBs and boxes with all of your edited and or raw images safely stored for you and others to feel for a lifetime! Inside the online gallery, you’ll be able to easily download, share the link, and print your images directly from the gallery. You’ll have access to a built-in print store where you can order beautiful keepsakes, including:

● Custom Photo Albums
● Fine Art Prints and Wall Art for your home
● Personalized Save The Dates, Invitations, Thank You Cards, Stationery, and more, with your images on them!
● Additional Meaningful Keepsakes

Please note that any prints or products ordered through the print store are an additional fee. The pricing is comparable to what you’d find at CVS or Walmart, but the quality is significantly higher — using premium, high-end, luxury-grade printing. A small 3% commission from each print order goes back to me, the original artist, and the rest goes directly to the professional printing company I’ve partnered with.

How do I (we) personally store photos safely?

I highly advise looking into the wooden keepsake USB boxes I offer, and all printables are located in your online gallery. As an added layer of security and protection, I also back up all galleries on my end in fireproof safe storage as I do my very best to keep your memories safe in case they’re ever needed again.. While I cannot guarantee indefinite storage, I’ll do my best to assist you if you ever need an online gallery re-upload (there is a $250 re-upload fee each time to cover storage and labor, and will expire after 3 months). A Few Recommendations for safe keeping:
  • I strongly encourage you to download your entire gallery to your computer(s) as soon as it is completed and as soon as possible. 
  • For long-term protection, please make multiple backup copies on external hard drives and store them in a fireproof safe if at all possible.

What is your turnaround time for sessions and weddings?

Events, Elopements, and Wedding galleries are delivered via email within 90 days after your date. Portrait, Engagement, and Boudoir sessions are delivered anytime within 60-90 days after the session date. You will receive sneak peeks within the first two and a half weeks max, and will be updated along the editing process.

What equipment do you use?

For digital and mirrorless, I use all of the latest Sony cameras paired with G Master lenses, Canon matched with Sigma Art lenses. For lighting equipment, I use Godox and Profoto on- and off-camera flashes and continuous lights. I always carry the Sony A9III with Sony G Master lenses as my main setup: 16–35mm, 24–70mm, 24–105mm, 85mm. For backup: Canon R6 Mark II, Canon R5, Canon 5D Mark III, EOS 60D, 70–200mm, 24–70mm, 135mm, 50mm, 35mm. For film, I favor using the 35mm Canon A-1, digital Fujifilm X-T5, which mimics 35mm film, although I have a few others I love experimenting with depending on the situation! For video, I use the newest GoPro Hero 13, as well as Super 8 film video, with one Super 8 film video backup.

How do we reserve our session, elopement, or wedding date?

After the proposal is sent, all offers and proposals expire within 72 hours. Anywhere between a 20–50% non-refundable retainer and signed contract is required in order to solidify your date on my calendar. The remainder of your balance is paid within payment plans throughout the planning process. Typically, all payments are finished at least 3 days pre-date; in special cases, you may finish payments post-date and will not receive any images until paid in full, as you may understand.

Are the people featured on your site models?

Images shown on my site and blog are of real-life clients, couples, and experiences, styled, planned, and photographed by me.

What does your editing process look like?

I am “old school,” editing every single photo myself. The necessary editing and retouching will be made to all of your final images, such as blemish control and distractions. I believe our imperfections are what make us beautiful and unique and do not alter bodies to look “different.” If there are specific edits you want or additional photoshopping (adding in teeth, etc.), advanced editing will be additionally charged according to the number and complexity of edits.

What sets you apart from other photographers?

As both a digital and film photographer with nearly 20 years of professional experience photographing all types of portraits, boudoir, elopements, and weddings, I know how to keep you grounded and guided in your experiences, making you feel relaxed yet hyped while looking your very best. I use natural lighting as often as possible, although I am knowledgeable in challenging light situations and will use on- and off-camera flash if needed. Making sure my sessions are intimate and fun, your experience with me should feel comfortable and confidence-boosting, as I turn into your “pocket-side camera bestie” who will always hype you up while taking the best photos of you to look back on.

How many photographers will be there at our wedding?

As a solo photographer, I am experienced, fully confident and equipped to handle your day independently. However, should the need for additional support arise—whether due to the scale of the event or personal health considerations such as pregnancy, or by your request—I can incorporate a second photographer or assistant into your package at an additional cost. Additionally, I work closely (in a referral system) with very talented and seasoned videographers to ensure your final photo gallery and video needs are perfectly synchronized in style and artistry.

Will my photos be posted publicly on your site or social media?

I deeply value your privacy and believe you should have control over how your images are shared. While I would be honored to feature your story on my website and social media for potential clients and couples to view, I respect whichever choice you make. To ensure you feel completely comfortable, I offer tiered sharing options: you may opt for full gallery sharing, 'anonymous' sharing (featuring detail shots without faces), or keeping your gallery entirely private.

Will our photos get featured in a magazine or blog?

While many of my sessions do get featured, this isn’t something that is guaranteed. Most publishers are interested in uniquely designed weddings. If yours applies to this, please let me know ahead of time, and we will discuss which publications to submit to. I have my own Storytelling Blog that I write myself, which is featured on my official website and social media pages and are included in select experiences if added on.

What's the difference between documentary and editorial photography, and how do you use them?

As a professional wedding photographer, I strive to provide perfect, timeless photographs that you’ll want to cherish for a lifetime. At the same time, I also strive to create editorial-worthy images that will make you feel like a magazine model.

Documentary Photography: This style is all about capturing candid, unposed moments that happen naturally throughout the day. It’s about capturing the raw emotions and pure joy that you’ll undoubtedly experience on your wedding day. The beauty of this style is that it allows you to relive those little moments that you may have missed during the hustle and bustle of the day. It also allows you to see your family and friends in their truest form. I love this type of photography because it always feels genuine and authentic. As your wedding photographer, it’s important for me to blend in with the crowd and capture these moments as they happen without interrupting them.

Editorial Photography: Creating the perfect photograph. This type of photography is usually seen in magazines and advertisements but can also be incorporated into your celebration album. It’s about creating visually stunning images that look straight out of a fairytale. This style often involves posing and directing and aims to make the subject look their absolute best. I love incorporating editorial-style images into my wedding photography because they show the beauty and elegance of your relationship in a unique and special way. These images will be some

What's the difference between documentary and editorial photography, and how do you use them?

By blending documentary and editorial styles together, I’m able to create a uniquely unforgettable and cohesive story of your day that chronicles every important moment while also creating beautiful, magazine-worthy images. This means that you’ll have stunning candid photos of you and your spouse laughing and sharing intimate moments, while also having stunning portraits of you both looking your absolute best. Better yet, the best moments of your wedding won’t be interrupted for editorial posing, except for the allotted portrait session we will work into your wedding timeline.

Editorial typically is: during photo sessions, after the first look, during the wedding party, family, and newlyweds

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