Today we’d like to introduce you to Maria Howard.
Hi Maria, we’d love for you to start by introducing yourself.
I’m originally from Ecuador, where I studied Digital Arts and worked in marketing. Photography was always part of my work; I photographed brands, products, and corporate events, but I’ve always had a special love for portraits. I love freezing a moment, a feeling, or a connection in a photograph, and creating images that people genuinely love to share because they feel good seeing themselves in them.
My love for photography actually started with an old film camera I found among my parents’ things. I just loved the feeling of that little click. Eventually, I took a photography class in college, completely fell in love with it, and never stopped.
Life eventually brought me to South Jersey after I met my husband, a Jersey native, on a surf trip in Ecuador. We both love the ocean, so South Jersey quickly became home, and I absolutely love it here.
When I started photographing professionally in New Jersey, I began focusing more on families and beach portraits. I quickly fell in love with being part of people’s meaningful milestones and capturing the genuine moments that happen in between the posed ones. The laughs, the cuddles, the little in-between moments, it’s those things that make every story unique.
And now, becoming a mom has made me appreciate photographs in a whole new way. Time goes by SO fast, and there’s something so special about having photos that let you hold onto those little moments. My daughter is also my favorite little model, and she has definitely given me a whole new perspective on how meaningful these memories can be.
That’s what I love most about photography: creating images that feel like you genuine, joyful, and full of the moments you’ll want to remember and share for years to come.
Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
It definitely hasn’t always been a smooth road. One of the biggest challenges for me has been the language barrier. I learned English as a kid and I’m bilingual, but I have a pretty strong accent, and sometimes I worry that it can get in the way of communicating or making that first connection with someone.
Moving to a new place and starting over as a complete stranger was also challenging. In the beginning, I didn’t have many clients, and I understood that it could be hard for people to trust someone they didn’t know with such personal and meaningful moments.
Not every client has loved my style, and that can be hard too. Photography is so personal, and not every style is for everyone. But over time, I’ve learned not to let that discourage me. The clients who connect with my work and come back year after year remind me that I do have something special to offer.
I’ve met so many amazing people along the way who have made me feel welcome. Some of my clients have told me how much they love their photos and have come back the following summer specifically to have me photograph their families again. Going from being a complete stranger to having families trust me with their memories year after year has been one of the most rewarding parts of this journey.
It’s taught me that building something takes time, and sometimes the people who believe in your work along the way are exactly what you need to keep going.
Appreciate you sharing that. What else should we know about what you do?
I’m a lifestyle photographer specializing in families, couples, maternity, engagements, proposals, and beach portraits here along the Jersey Shore. I also photograph intimate weddings, events, seniors, and personal portraits.
My photography is a mix of natural, genuine moments and beautifully posed portraits. I love helping people find flattering poses and feel comfortable in front of the camera, while also leaving room for the real moments to happen—the laughs, the cuddles, the silly moments, and everything in between.
For me, the most important thing is that people are having a great time during their session. I want them to feel like they can relax, be themselves, and actually enjoy the experience rather than feel like they’re just posing for photos. I’ll give direction when needed, but I also love stepping back and letting their personalities and connection come through.
I think that’s one of the things that sets me apart. I’m not just focused on creating a beautiful final gallery; I want my clients to have a fun experience and leave feeling good about themselves and the time they spent together.
I’m most proud of the relationships I’ve built with my clients. Some families started with one beach session and now come back every summer to have me photograph them again. Knowing that they trust me with their memories year after year is incredibly special to me.
At the end of the day, I want my clients to look at their photos and not only love how they look, but remember how much fun they had and exactly how that moment felt.
Where do you see things going in the next 5-10 years?
I think photography is going to continue changing a lot over the next 5–10 years, especially with AI and all the technology becoming available. We’re already seeing how easy it is to create and edit images, and I think that will only continue to grow.
Because of that, I actually think real, authentic photography will become even more valuable. There’s something about having a real person photograph your family, your newborn, your wedding, or an important milestone that technology can’t completely replace. The experience, the connection, the emotions, and the little imperfect moments are what make a photograph meaningful.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.mariahowardph.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/mariahoward_photography/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/MariaHowardPh
