Lauren Maye

I was raised in the Bay Area, California by a single mother, and much of who I am today was shaped by an upbringing rooted in creativity, curiosity, and connection. My grandmother introduced me to art museums, wildflower picking in the Almaden Hills, jazz music, books, and eventually one of her old film cameras , this was the beginning of everything for me.

Photography quickly became less about taking pictures and more about preserving feeling. Through years of photographing friends, families, children, landscapes, and life as it unfolded around me, I developed a deep appreciation for honest imagery and the beauty found in ordinary moments.

Outside of photography, I’m a mother, nature lover, home cook, baker, and someone deeply grounded by connection, both to people and to the earth itself. That perspective naturally shapes the way I approach my work: with intention, calm presence, and an appreciation for emotion, atmosphere, and the moments that feel most real.

More than anything, I want the people I photograph to feel comfortable enough to fully be themselves , because that’s where the magic always lives.