MEET THE PHOTOGRAPHER
 
 
Let's capture memories together
 
Hi, I'm Maria. I'm so glad you're here. I'm a family and lifestyle portrait photographer, dedicated to helping you tell your own unique story. I'm based in Centreville, VA, and often travel around the metro D.C. area for shoots.
My first love of photography came early — I remember having those point and shoot film cameras as a child, and enjoying taking photos of family members. I was always so excited to get rolls of film developed and laughing at goofy images, and marveling at the perfectly captured moments.
Fast forward to a decade later, and I decided to pursue a communications arts degree in 2005 at a university in my hometown, Manila, Philippines. Film photography was one of my electives, and I remember being utterly challenged and in awe of the magic of “drawing with light.”
My joy in visual storytelling continued when I worked in The Philippine Tatler, where I worked on their coffee table books. I worked closely with photographers, helping style interior decoration. I also worked in brand marketing for Havaianas, a global fashion brand in 2012, sharpening my skills in creative copy and design.
Outside of my love story with photography, I also wear many hats. I'm a wife to my number 1, who has encouraged me to pursue my artistic passions, mom to a cheerful and active kindergartener (go Cubbies!) and a full-time communications strategist at a non-profit organization in downtown Washington, D.C.
As a mom, I know how busy life can get. We juggle so many things on a daily basis — and we are usual the chief memory makers in our families. We hold the iPhones up during happy birthday songs, during our baby’s first steps, and all the messy and chaotic moments in between.
That’s where I come in. I can make sure you’re in the photos and I get to work with you to craft how you’d like to set up your photo session. Do you want it in your home? At a studio? Or we can also choose a location that can be a fitting backdrop to the story you want to tell.
Family is my happy place
Having a young son is how I got back to photography. In the dizzying everyday tasks of making lunches, checking school schedules, and sports, I realized just how quickly the years pass. I wanted to be intentional in documenting the beauty of the big and small moments. They're ALL magical.
THINGS I LOVE
 
BOOKS, BOOKS BOOKS
 
I have four library cards stashed in my wallet. The thrill of living in the metro D.C. area is you are eligible for neighboring counties' collections! Reading keeps me grounded, e-Book or hardcover in hand.
 
 
visiting manila
 
I spent my first 22 years in the what I'd arguably call the sunniest place on the globe. I love visiting with family and friends, and consuming all the Filipino food I can eat.
 
 
favorite TV guilty pleasure
 
I enjoy watching real estate reality TV to decompress. Selling Sunset, Owning Manhattan, The Parisian Agency, I watch them all!
 
 
burning calories at boot camp
 
I start my day with my 6 am crew at Burn Boot Camp Westfields. Great to get the adrenaline pumping and boosting some serotonin before the sun rises.
 
candid, stress-free sessions
Telling stories one photo at a time
The number one thing I do first is to listen to you. We can start off with having a virtual coffee and you can tell me what you’re aiming to accomplish or what story you’d like to tell. From there, we can get to know each other a bit better and then see if we can be a good fit creatively.
I aim to make the planning process as seamless as possible — I can help you with a style guide and offer locations to choose from. If you want to get your hair and makeup professionally done, I can also offer you options for those. I treat all projects as partnerships between you and me. You are the main author, and I am here to help deliver those visual stories.
FAQ
This is my first photoshoot, what should I know?
Don’t worry! My job is to guide you from planning to gallery delivery. Let’s set up an initial call to discuss what our options are for your portraits; or if you're pretty swamped in your day-to-day, I can also send over a comprehensive questionnaire instead. We can discuss location, outfits, and I can answer any questions you have about the day of the shoot.
 
Are the travel expenses included in your packages?
I travel within 30 miles of my zip code, 20120. If it’s beyond that, I would charge the IRS rate per mile.
 
Can you recommend any good locations?
 
Yes! I have a number of favorite places to shoot. We can also cover that during the initial call and narrow our options down.
 
What if the weather is bad on the day of an outdoor shoot?
If the weather doesn’t lend itself to a good picture day, we can opt to reschedule it to a better time, at no cost to you.
 
how long does it take to get my photos?
I use both digital and film for your photo sessions, so it will take me three weeks to deliver your full gallery. After our shoot, I send my roll of film to my lab and then get the scans approximately seven days after. I'll then edit your entire gallery together for a cohesive look and feel -- well worth the wait!
 
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