Chapel Hill · North Carolina

Light, stillness & quiet emotion.

Portrait & wedding photography made to feel like the moment it captures — unhurried, honest, and timeless.

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Now booking 2026 weddings

Selected Work

A gallery of recent stories

Weddings in the field, portraits in soft window light, and the small in-between moments that turn out to matter most.

— Maya

About Maya

Photography that remembers the way it felt.

I'm Maya, a portrait and wedding photographer based in Chapel Hill. For the last decade I've been drawn to the same thing: the unposed second right before — or right after — the one everyone expects. The glance, the laugh, the held breath.

My approach is calm and largely unobtrusive. I work in natural light wherever I can, favour warm, filmic tones, and give couples room to simply be together. You won't be over-directed — you'll be seen.

10+Years shooting
160+Weddings told
NC& destination

Investment

Simple packages, room to tailor

Every collection includes a private online gallery, personal printing rights, and a pre-shoot planning call. Custom quotes are always welcome.

Portrait

Individuals, couples & families. Studio or on location.

Starting at$450
  • 90-minute session
  • One location of your choosing
  • 40+ edited high-res images
  • Private online gallery
  • Print release included
Enquire

Events

Showers, launches, milestones & celebrations.

Starting at$700
  • Up to 3 hours coverage
  • Candid + posed direction
  • 150+ edited images
  • 48-hour preview gallery
  • Optional add-on hours
Enquire

Kind Words

From the people in the pictures

Maya has this gift for disappearing into the day. We barely noticed the camera, and then the gallery arrived and every single moment we were worried we'd forget was just… there.

Elena & RuthWedding · Saxapahaw

I have never once liked a photo of myself. Maya changed that in about ten minutes. Calm, warm, and unbelievably good at her craft. The whole family is framed on our wall now.

Priya N.Family Portrait · Chapel Hill

Let's Work Together

Tell me about your day.

Share a few details and I'll reply within two business days with availability and a full pricing guide.

  • hello@mayaellis.example
  • Chapel Hill, North Carolina
  • Studio hours: Tue – Sat, by appointment