How I work
Family photos
During my photo sessions, I’m basically a friendly shadow with a camera, following you around and capturing all the magical little moments you don’t even realise are happening. As a documentary family photographer, I’m not here to boss you around or make you strike a pose—I leave the awkward, stiff smiles to the studio folks. Life is messy, beautiful, and real, and that’s what we’ll remember when we’re older, not perfectly orchestrated family portraits.
My sessions are designed to be both high-quality and affordable for families of all kinds. I believe that everyone should have access to beautiful, genuine moments captured without breaking the bank. Picture this: a fun, relaxed experience where we chat like old friends, share plenty of laughs, and sometimes forget there’s even a camera involved. There will be times of non-stop snapping, moments where we pause to enjoy the scene, and occasionally I’ll shout, “Wait! Stop right there! The light is chef’s kiss perfect!” Family portraits with me are a blend of candid, natural moments and just the right amount of guidance to make you feel at ease. I promise to always maintain the perfect balance of affordability and quality—so at the end of the day, you’ll look at your photos and see the love, chaos, and magic of your life, exactly as it is.
I fell in love with documenting life while capturing moments of my own kids—yes, I know, every family photographer says that, but it’s the absolute truth. There’s something magical about preserving the chaos, the quiet, and everything in between. What I love even more is watching families transform during a session. They usually start off a bit shy and unsure, standing stiffly in front of the camera. But by the end, they’re bubbly, spontaneous, and completely at ease, showing me their true personalities. It’s like watching walls melt away, and that transformation is one of my favourite parts of what I do.
Wedding photos
My wedding photo sessions are all about delivering high-quality, timeless images without making you empty your savings. While I’ll offer a bit more guidance during the formal shots—like family portraits and bride and groom photos—I keep the overall experience relaxed and fun. I’m always on the lookout for those candid moments that bring out your laughter and true personality. Whether we’re capturing traditional portraits or spontaneous, unforgettable moments, I make sure everything feels natural and stress-free. At the end of the day, I want you to look at your wedding photos and see all the love, joy, and beautiful chaos of your day—without ever feeling like you had to sacrifice anything to get them.
What to wear
When it comes to deciding what to wear for a family photography session, there are a few key things to keep in mind. First, think about clothing that means something to you—pieces you’ll want to remember years from now. Maybe it’s a gorgeous dress you always wear and your partner loves, or that shirt your mum gave you for your birthday. I can still remember some of the outfits from my own childhood and wish I had photos of me wearing them!
Second, comfort is everything. You don’t want to spend the whole session worrying if your boob is making an unexpected appearance! If that new dress doesn’t feel like “you,” don’t wear it. Are you more of a shorts-and-t-shirt person? Perfect—being yourself will never ruin a session. Lastly, a few tips to tie it all together: you can colour coordinate without everyone looking like they’re in matching uniforms. Let each personality shine—if your child loves bold patterns, balance that with simpler pieces on everyone else. Think about your surroundings, too. For a bush session, earthy greens and browns work beautifully; for the beach, blues and beiges fit the vibe. Or, if you want to stand out, embrace bold colours and patterns to pop against the scenery. The goal is to feel good and look like you.
"Families: like herding cats, but cuter"
Want to snoop on my creative adventures? Come hang out at @maite_av_photography