SELECTED WORK
“Photography is memory made permanent.”
— Maya Chen
ABOUT
About Maya
I came to photography the long way — through film school, a detour into documentary work, and eventually, unexpectedly, a friend's elopement in Joshua Tree that changed everything.
For seven years I've been making photographs at weddings and intimate portrait sessions across New York and beyond. I shoot with Fujifilm medium format and two film cameras — a Pentax 67 and a Contax 645 — because I believe in images that hold up decades from now.
My sessions are unhurried. I'm looking for the unguarded moment: the laugh that comes out of nowhere, the hand held for the thousandth time, the way light falls on a face when someone's not looking.
My work has been featured in Vogue Weddings, Brides, and Junebug Weddings. I shoot about 25 weddings a year, mostly in NYC but available for travel worldwide.
WHAT I OFFER
Offerings
Weddings
from $4,800
Full-day coverage with both film and digital capture. Online gallery delivered within 8 weeks. Printed proof book included. Travel within NYC at no additional charge.
- Full day (8+ hours)
- ·Film + digital
- ·Online gallery
- ·Proof book
- ·Travel in NYC
Elopements
from $2,400
Intimate, intentional, exactly how you want it. Up to 4 hours. Everything that matters — ceremony, couple portraits, a few beautiful details. Perfect for small gatherings and courthouse weddings.
- 4 hours
- ·Film + digital
- ·Online gallery
- ·Travel in NYC
Portraits
from $650
Couples, families, individuals, maternity. Seasonal availability. Sessions are 1–2 hours at a location we choose together.
- 1–2 hours
- ·Digital delivery
- ·Location scouted together
- ·40+ edited images
KIND WORDS
We were so nervous about being photographed — neither of us are 'photo people.' Maya completely changed that. She was so present and unobtrusive that we forgot she was there, and then we got our gallery and cried for an hour. Every photo looks like a painting.
— Clara M. · Wedding, October 2023 · Hudson Valley, NY
Maya shot our elopement in Central Park and the photos are everything. She found light we didn’t know was there, and somehow captured feelings we didn’t even know we were having. We’ve printed one as a 30×40 and it stops everyone who walks in.
— James & Priya T. · Elopement, May 2024 · Central Park, NYC
I hired Maya for maternity portraits because I’d seen her wedding work and wanted that feeling in something more intimate. The session was relaxed, easy, and the images are exactly what I hoped for. I look at them every day.
— Nadia R. · Portrait Session, February 2024 · Williamsburg, Brooklyn
HOW IT WORKS
From inquiry to images
Inquire
Fill out the form below with your details. I read every inquiry and respond within 48 hours.
Consultation call
We'll spend 20–30 minutes getting to know each other. I want to understand what you're looking for and make sure we're a good fit.
Book
A signed contract and 25% retainer secures your date. The remainder is due 2 weeks before your session.
Shoot & receive
We make photos together, unhurried. Your gallery is delivered within 6–8 weeks.
FREQUENTLY ASKED
Questions
Yes. I'm based in Brooklyn but shoot destination weddings worldwide. Travel costs (flights, accommodation) are billed at cost. Some dates I'll waive travel within the Northeast US — ask me.
Both, for every wedding. I shoot digital as my primary and film alongside it. You'll receive a mix. I scan my own film using a Noritsu scanner.
Weddings: 600–900 selects. Elopements: 300–450. Portraits: 40–60. I edit personally — no outsourcing.
Wedding dates book 12–18 months out. Portrait sessions can often be scheduled 4–8 weeks out. If you have a specific date in mind, reach out even if you're not sure.
True to life with a warm, slightly muted quality. I don't apply heavy presets. Your skin tones will look accurate. Your memories will look like your memories.
GET IN TOUCH
Let's make something beautiful.
Tell me about your day. I read every message personally and respond within 48 hours.