Photographer Spotlight

This week we are featuring Maren Waks with Wild Aster Boudoir. Check out her interview and her beautiful photos at the studio below!

Q. Tell us about you! What is your name, where are you from, and a little about your family!

A. Hi! I’m Maren, a 25-year-old from Houston, Texas! I’ve lived my entire life in the Chandler/Gilbert area until I moved to Maricopa 3 years ago! I’m a momma of 3 amazing boys (boy mom for life!) & 2 dogs named Milk & Maggie.

Q. What is your business name, website, and instagram?

A. I’m the owner of Wild Aster Boudoir! My website is coming very, very soon, & my Instagram is @WildAsterBoudoir!

Q. What types of photography do you specialize in?

A. I started out with lifestyle photography, but in August of 2020 I switched my specialty to boudoir & I’m in love!

Q. How long have you been a photographer and what made you want to get started?

A. My photography journey started in September 2019 when I was gifted my first camera from my boyfriend. I was constantly taking photos of our children with my phone & my camera roll was filling up quick. I’m a stay-at-home momma, so once I got comfortable with my camera & got in some practice, I started up my first business “Maren Waks Photography” to make some side money. I fell head over heels in love with everything about it! I’m very extroverted & loved meeting new people!

Q. Are you a full time photographer? If so, how long did it take you to get there? If you’re not, what else do you do for work?

A. Photography is my only job & I do it full time! When I’m not at the studio, I’m with my kiddos! It took about a year to build up the clientele to make this my only job. I love the freedom to make my own schedule, allowing me to be home with the kiddos when their dad is at work.

Q. What inspires you?

A. My parents. They’ve worked so hard for everything they’ve built. They have an amazing life full of travel, adventures & are humble about everything they’ve earned. My mom used to tell me how when she was in college, a few years younger than I am now, she’d take a calculator to the grocery store to make sure she wasn’t going over her tight budget. Their dedication, commitment & hard work is beyond inspiring to me, & something I strive to example for my own children.

Q. What is your biggest photography strength and your biggest photography weakness?

A. My biggest strength would be my personality. Of course, a photographer who knows what they’re doing is obviously important. But a photographer, especially a boudoir photographer, should be someone you’re comfortable with, you can trust, & someone you vibe with. My weakness would come with getting those detail shots. It’s something I’ve been keeping in the back of my head during recent sessions & I’ve without a doubt improved since I first started a year ago!

Q. What do you like to do for fun?

A. I’m a big outdoors person! I love to go camping, fishing, jet skiing on the lake, bonfires & hiking! I’m also a huge hockey fan (Go Blackhawks!) so catching a game on tv or heading down to Glendale is always a fun time for me! I’m the biggest Disney fanatic you’ll ever meet, so Disney movie nights, watching vlogs or going to Disney itself is my favorite thing in the world!

Q. Do you have a photography goal you’re working toward?

A. My biggest goal in my photography career is to do a 100-person shoot of women of every age, body shape, skin tone, etc. as an example of women empowerment. Every body is a beautiful body. It’s a project I’ve been dreaming of doing one day & can’t wait to make my dream a reality! I want women to know they don’t need to be supermodels to feel beautiful & worthy.

Q. What advice do you have for other photographers getting started?

A. Practice, practice, practice! Offer up discounted if not free shoots to friends & family. Watch YouTube videos to learn about your camera. I’m a huge believer in “Community Over Competition” so I’m here if you ever have any questions!

Q. What do you love about Studio House AZ?

A. What’s not to love?! Each room is a different vibe, perfect for every style. As a boudoir photographer, you’d think my favorite room would be either The Villa or The Atrium because of the beds, but I’m obsessed with The Gallery ! It’s perfect for my moody, yet warm style of editing!

Q. Which rental suite is your favorite at Studio House AZ?

A. The Gallery ! I think the string lights are so unique & the mirror is GORGEOUS.

Q. If you weren’t a photographer, what would you want to be?

A. I’d be an Environmental Conservationists, specifically working with sharks & other marine life. Sharks are my favorite animal & the environmental wellbeing of our oceans is a really big passion for me. But living in the desert makes that a tad difficult at times.