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The Experience


The experience your wedding day deserves.

Why Maria A. Garth Photography?



Established in 2012. every kind of love story. Over 300 Weddings.

Wedding days are not all the same — and neither is the way they should be photographed. With over a decade of experience across Western, South Asian, and multicultural ceremonies, I know what to look for before it happens, and how to be ready when it does.

Cultural fluency, not just cultural familiarity.

South Asian and multicultural weddings have layers — rituals, family dynamics, emotional beats that only land if you understand what you're watching. I do. That understanding shows up in every frame.

Guided, not posed. present, not passive.

There is a difference between direction and guidance — and it changes everything in a photograph. I read people. I notice when a hand is hanging awkwardly, when a couple needs permission to move closer, when one small prompt will unlock a moment that no amount of posing ever could. My role is not to manufacture emotion. It is to remove the things that get in the way of it — so what unfolds, during portraits and beyond, is entirely yours.

Solo. Intentional. present.

Your photographer and your point of contact are the same person. Always. From your first inquiry to your final gallery delivery, you work with me — not a studio coordinator, not a rotating associate. I lead every wedding I book, and when a second shooter joins us, they work under my direction and represent the same standard. You get consistent vision, consistent communication, and someone who knows your story by the time your wedding day arrives.

Philadelphia roots. destination reach.

A Brooklyn native who found home in Philadelphia and the Lehigh Valley, I work regularly across PA, NJ, NY, and the DMV — and I travel for couples whose stories are worth the distance.

Excellence has a standard. Here is mine.

No two celebrations are alike — and your experience with me should reflect exactly that.

From the first conversation to final delivery, every detail is handled with intention and care. Upon inquiry, I'll share a full overview of my Wedding Collections and everything each one includes.

In the meantime, here is what you can expect when we work together:

Couple in elegant traditional attire posing at their wedding reception surrounded by soft floral decor in Jersey City
Close-up of a bride and groom's hands bound together with decorated fabric during a traditional handfasting ritual Couple walking hand in hand through a sunlit garden at Bartram's Garden in Philadelphia

This Collection Includes:

    • 8 hours of photojournalistic coverage
    • (1) second shooter
    • Private online gallery, delivered within eight weeks of your wedding
    • (1) USB of all pre-selected and enhanced images

Collections begin at $5,200

Inquire About Your Date
Couple sharing a joyful moment by the water at the Lehigh Valley Rose Gardens during their engagement session
Couple embracing by the Dilworth Park fountains surrounded by Philadelphia skyscrapers during their engagement session

This Collection Includes:

  • 90 minute photo session
  • Planning and prep support
  • Location guidance
  • Professional photo editing
  • Online gallery of high-resolution images, delivered within four weeks of your session

Collections begin at $800

Begin Your Story

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

What's included in the starting price?
The starting price of $6,200 includes an engagement session, eight hours of photojournalistic coverage with me as your lead photographer, (1) second shooter, a private online gallery, and every enhanced image delivered on USB.
What do most couples invest?
Most couples invest between $8,700 and $13,800. The exact investment depends on the scope of your day and what matters most to you.. Multi-day South Asian celebrations usually chose The Full Story or The Golden Desi
How do we book, and what's the retainer?
Once you've reviewed your proposal and are ready to move forward, we'll begin the contract process. A $2,000 non-refundable retainer is required to secure your date. Payment plans are available — we'll find what works best for your timeline.
Is a second photographer available?
All collections include a second photographer. However, if you're inerested in micro-wedding photography coverage one can be added for an additional fee.
Do you offer videography?
I don't offer videography myself, However I have work closely with a trusted network of videographers I'm happy to recommend.
Do you travel out of state?
Yes. I work regularly across PA, NJ, NY, and the DMV, and I travel for celebrations near and far. Travel within two hours is included. For anything beyond that, hotel and travel costs may apply depending on the location.
What if you haven't photographed at my venue?
A new venue doesn't change how I work. I arrive early, study the light, and find the moments wherever they happen. When possible, I'm glad to do a walk-through with you beforehand.
When do we receive our gallery and album?
Sneak previews are delivered within 48–72 hours after your engagement session and wedding. Engagement galleries are ready within four weeks, wedding galleries within eight weeks, and album drafts within 8–12 weeks after gallery delivery.
I don't see my question here. What should I do?
Reach out through my contact form or email maria@mariaagarthphotography.com — I'm happy to help.
“
She was kind, patient, and made us feel completely comfortable from start to finish — which we appreciated since we'd never done a professional shoot before. Maria genuinely cared about the experience and went the extra mile at every step. The photos turned out amazing.
Shrivats & Winnie — Engagement Session, Lehigh University
“
Maria was an absolute pleasure to work with! She takes the time to get to know you, your spouse, and understand your wedding traditions and culture. My wife and I don't typically like posing for pictures, but Maria guided us until we got comfortable, then let us be candid to get truly authentic photos that showcased our love.
Riasat & Nizar — Royal Albert's Palace, Fords, NJ
“
We were a little nervous about being in front of the camera, but Maria was so fun and gave such clear direction that our engagement photos turned out beautiful. On the wedding day, her team was professional and prepared — Maria even hand sewed part of my sleeve ruffle back on when it popped off just before the ceremony. I couldn't have asked for a better photographer.
Swetha & Jason — Spring Mill Country Club, Ivyland, PA
“
From our first conversation, we instantly connected and she was able to articulate the very vision we had for our photos. On the day of, she blended in and was there for every moment. Most importantly, she captured the most beautiful moments of our wedding day, and her photos tell the wonderful story.
Meredith & Gideon — The Ritz-Carlton Georgetown, Washington, D.C.

My Process

from our first hello to your final gallery

01 — 04

Connect

It starts with a hello. Send an inquiry through my contact page, and I'll be in touch to set up a call so we can get to know each other and talk through your day. When it feels like the right fit, a signed contract and retainer hold your date — and from there, you're officially on my calendar.

02 — 04

Session

Our session will allow us to get to know each other and ease your worries in front of the camera. We can choose a spot that is significant to you and your partner, or I can offer location guidance as needed. Be sure to showcase your personality with your style choices, and if you want an outfit change, let's do it! Treat the day as the best date you've had yet, and soak up this time in your life when your official title is fiancé.

03 — 04

Planning

Once your date is on my calendar, we'll work on bringing your wedding vision to life. I'll send you my customized couples' questionnaire to learn more about your ideas and what you want on your day. If your wedding collection includes an engagement session, expect to receive two questionnaires. This is where we deep dive into your day and make sure every detail is taken care of.

04 — 04

Reveal

Following your session, bask in your fiancé status while I'm hard at work behind the scenes. Within 4 weeks, you'll receive your final gallery — a link to view online so you can take your time with each and every image. Grab a glass of wine, snuggle up on the couch, and see your love come to life.

02.

Planning

Once your date is secured, the real work begins — and it starts with you.
I'll send over my personalized couples' questionnaire to learn more about your vision, your story, and the details that matter most to your celebration. If your collection includes an engagement session, you'll receive a tailored questionnaire for that experience as well.
This is where everything becomes personal. Every detail is considered, every preference noted, every question welcomed. From this moment forward, you are never navigating this alone.

NEXT

03.

Wedding

This is the day everything has been leading to.
I'll be by your side from the first quiet moment of the morning to the last dance of the evening — calm, present, and entirely focused on you. When nerves arise, I'll ground you. When moments unfold, I'll be ready. When direction is needed, it will be gentle and purposeful.
My approach is documentary at its core — I let your day breathe, your emotions surface, and your story reveal itself naturally. What you'll receive in return are photographs that feel as alive as the day itself.
This is your celebration. I'm simply honored to preserve it.

NEXT

04.

Reveal

Your only job after the celebration is to be present in it.
While you settle into this new chapter, I'll be carefully curating your gallery with the same intention and care I brought to your day. Within eight weeks of your wedding, your final collection of photographs will be delivered — a private online gallery, yours to revisit whenever the moment calls for it.
Pour something beautiful, find a quiet corner together, and experience your story for the first time all over again.

NEXT

THE EXPERIENCE MY CLIENTS KNOW (and love)

01.

Unfiltered

Your wedding is not a checklist. It is not a timeline. It is not a collection of poses.
It is the most alive your story has ever been — and it is meant to be lived, not perfected.
I don't direct. I guide. I don't interrupt. I don't manufacture.
I watch. I wait. I feel the room.
And when the moment arrives — and it always does — I am ready.
So forget the camera. Forget the timeline. Dance until your feet hurt, cry until your mascara runs, pull your person close and mean it.
I'll handle the rest.

02.

Intentional. Present. yours.

Your wedding is not a series of posed moments — it is a living, breathing story.
I document it as exactly that. Every frame is intentional, every detail considered, every emotion preserved as it naturally unfolds. Nothing is staged. Nothing is interrupted. Just an honest, artful record of your day as it truly was.
So dance. Be present. Celebrate your first hours as newlyweds — knowing that everything worth remembering is being held with care and intention.

03.

Trust and Connection

Being invited into one of the most intimate chapters of your life is something I receive with great care.
From our very first conversation, my intention is to ensure you feel seen, supported, and entirely confident in the experience ahead. I want you to know me, trust me, and feel at ease leaning on me for guidance — not just on your wedding day, but throughout every moment leading up to it.
Your peace of mind is not an afterthought. It is the foundation of everything I do.

04.

Customization

No two love stories are alike — and your wedding photographs should reflect exactly that.
Every couple I work with receives a tailored experience, built around the details, traditions, and moments that make your story entirely your own. From timeline to final delivery, you are never an afterthought. You are the entire point.

05.

Love Becomes Art

Photographs were never meant to live on a hard drive.
Your story deserves to be held. Displayed. Passed down through generations. I'll work closely with you to design an heirloom album that becomes as much a part of your legacy as the day itself.

Let's Document This Chapter

Ready to Tell
Your Story?

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