TRAVELING WEDDING. ELOPEMENT & LIFESTYLE PHOTOGRAPHER BASED IN ROCHESTER NEW YORK

HOME

ABOUT

weddings

LIFESTYLE

PORTFOLIO

REVIEWS

CONTACT

MEET MARIAH

intentionally telling your story

Every love story is unique, and my goal is to capture yours with authenticity and heart. I focus on the real moments, the subtle glances, and the genuine emotions that make your day special. By getting to know you and building a connection, I make sure each photo reflects the true essence of your relationship, preserving these memories for years to come.


GET TO KNOW ME

MY "WHY"

THE ARTIST

& lover of love

I’ve always been a nostalgic person. As a little girl, I would spend hours looking through family photo albums with either my mom or grandma. Hearing the stories and connections between the people was so special. I enjoyed having tangible memories, so I started taking pictures. I have plenty of old shoe boxes filled with them and love going back to revisit those memories.

My love for photography really took off in high school when I took photography classes. That's where I learned the basics of photography, how to work a camera, and even develop film! Once I was out of high school, I continued taking pictures wherever and whenever—I was hooked.

A couple of years later, I married my high school sweetheart. I worked at a special education school for a couple of years, but when our first child was born, I stayed home with him. I loved capturing pictures of him and felt the need to provide others with keepsake photos, freezing the moments that can quickly fade away. This is how I transformed my passion into my career.

INQUIRE

IMAGERY TAKEN EXACTLY HOW IT FELT

MY APPROACH

I value the little things in life, finding joy in the small, meaningful moments that often go unnoticed. I believe in recognizing the importance a picture can hold, capturing not just events but the emotions and stories behind them. While I love a good plan and believe in the power of organization, I also understand the beauty of spontaneity and can easily go with the flow, adapting to whatever the day brings.


Laughter is a big part of who I am—I can laugh at myself and enjoy the lighthearted moments that make life special. I also feel that building strong relationships with my clients and other vendors is crucial to me! I strive to create a comfortable and fun atmosphere, where genuine connections can flourish and true emotions can be captured; that's where the real magic happens and I can tell authentically tell your love story.

BEHIND THE LENS

A LITTLE PEEK INTO THIS WORLD I CALL MINE

When I'm not behind my camera, I love spending time with my family—my husband and our two kids. Whether it's being outside in the backyard, going to a car show, or getting ice cream in a VW, my love language is quality time. It truly doesn’t matter what we’re doing; I just genuinely love being surrounded by my people.

Aside from spending time with my crew, I like to fill my cup with running, shopping, reading, and baking (chocolate chip cookies are my favorite!). I unashamedly admit that I'm a homesteader wannabe—I'm in year two of gardening, and we have our second flock of egg-laying hens (AKA “our girls”)!

Something that brings me joy like no other is a sunset—I absolutely love them! So if you ever ask me what's the best time for a session, you already know I'm going to suggest golden hour.

My family is the most important thing to me, so it's no surprise that I take pictures frequently. My pictures are visible pieces of my heart, so you can trust me when I say that I know how valuable and irreplaceable a picture can be.


YOUR

STORY

Love

LET'S AUTHENTICALLY TELL

INQUIRE

YOUR

Love

STORY

LET'S AUTHENTICALLY TELL

INQUIRE

HOME

ABOUT

weddings

LIFESTYLE

PORTFOLIO

REVIEWS

CONTACT

mariah vanhoover photography | all rights reserved    | brand + site by honeythorn designs