I live with my sweet husband and four darling kids in St. George, UT. We recently relocated here after 12 years of living in Texas. Since getting married, we have lived in six different cities, in three different states! Moving so often definitely has it's difficult points, but I am finding joy in the journey of my life, and I am photographing it every step of the way.
I graduated from Brigham Young University with a degree in Family Life & Human Development. My love for photography started in high school when I took a black and white film course offered through the local university. It soon turned into an outlet that pretty much consumed me. I would spend what seemed like an hour in the dark room, and realize it had been four hours since I had even looked at a clock. Eventually, I got wrapped up in the digital world, but black and white film will always have a part of my heart!
My obsession with photography quickly turned career oriented, as I felt major pressure my senior year of high school to "know what I wanted to be when I grew up". As I got deep into my major of Human Development, I quickly saw how understanding little humans also helped immensely when photographing them.
My original dream was to work for National Geographic and travel the word, but that got sidelined when I realized that I want to be a super involved wife and mama. Although I still think there will be a time and a place for that!
In recent years, I had several heartbreaking and challenging experiences that prompted some serious soul searching in regards to family and portrait photography. Why do I feel so passionate about this? Why am I drawn to familial interactions, emotion and milestones? I have found that the worth of a photo isn't necessarily made apparent until that photo is lost forever, or that loved one is gone forever. These defining moments clarified why I do what I do. So when our memories fade, or when life's tragedies strike, we have something tangible and priceless to hold on to.
My life's true calling belongs to my four precious children, and my incredible husband. As passionate as I feel about preserving memories and life through photography, I feel equally passionate about creating a loving sanctuary for my little people. I try to balance both worlds with lots of pillow forts, other hobbies (exercising, quilting and cooking) as well as getting involved in the community and our church group. Life is good!
As serious as I sound when I talk about all of my life's passions, the truth is: I talk too much, laugh a lot and have a chocolate addiction. I also love meeting new people and making new friends. Don't be shy! Send me a message.
xoxo
Mariah
1 / 4
"Phenomenal experience! Mariah had been photographing my family for the past decade. She is caring, patient, detail oriented, and has a sharp eye. She always makes us feel comfortable and posed without looking posed. She walks us through the process, keeps the kids smiling, and then delivers beautiful photos. She did our engagement photos, newborn photos (all 3 of them), spring photos, Christmas photos- you name it. Huge fan, can’t recommend enough!"
1 / 4
2 / 4
"I highly recommend Mariah for your next photo session! She has photographed so many special moments of my family. From my sons birth, to all 3 of my sons newborn sessions, two first birthday photoshoots as well as a family session! I have loved every single photo session experience with her and the photos are always stunning! She is very professional, has great attention to detail, listens to the shoot ideas I have and always executes them beautifully and not to mention she is such a kind person! Mariah is"
2 / 4
3 / 4
"Mariah is by far the best photographer I’ve ever had! She took the best photos of my family when we lived back in Texas. I wish we lived closer because she’s my absolute favorite!!! She’s really good with getting children to smile as well. Love her!"
3 / 4
4 / 4
"Mariah is a talented, fun, loving, high spirited photographer! We absolutely adore the pictures she has taken of our family throughout the years. I would recommend her photo talent to anyone who wants amazing pics."
4 / 4