If you are researching newborn and maternity photographers in Atlanta and trying to figure out who to trust with some of the most significant moments of your life, this post is for you.
I am Mariela Duval, an Atlanta newborn and maternity photographer based in Sandy Springs. Here is what you should know about me before you reach out.
The Background That Matters Most
For over 28 years I worked as a pediatric pharmacist at Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta, one of the top children’s hospitals in the country. I previously worked at Children’s Hospitals in Orlando as well as Miami. For the last ten years, I was also building this photography business, photographing newborns and expecting mothers on weekends and evenings.
In March 2026 I left pharmacy to pursue photography full time.
I tell you this not because it makes for a good story, although I think it does, but because it directly affects how I work with newborns in my home studio.
More than three decades of working with sick children and their families taught me how to read infant behavior, how to handle babies calmly under pressure, and what it looks like when a baby needs a break versus when they are simply fussing. I have never been careless with a newborn in my studio because carelessness was never an option in my previous career either. And being a pharmacist, I had to pay attention to details.
When you hand me your brand new baby, you are not handing them to someone who took a posing workshop. You are handing them to someone with many years of pediatric experience behind her.
What Your Atlanta Newborn and Maternity Photographer Actually Does
The studio specializes in full service studio sessions for newborns and expecting mothers. My home studio is located in Sandy Springs and I serve families throughout Atlanta, Brookhaven, Buckhead, Dunwoody, Alpharetta, and the surrounding areas.
Every session is planned in advance. For newborn sessions, we talk through your color palette, your vision, and any personal details you want incorporated before your baby arrives. On the day of your session everything is set up and ready. You bring milk and diapers. I handle everything else.
For maternity sessions, my goal is simple. I want you to be seen. Not just photographed, but genuinely seen for the strength it takes to grow a life and the woman you are right now. I direct every pose and make sure you feel comfortable from the moment you walk in.
My style is a blend of directed posing and natural interaction. Every setup, every pose, and every detail is intentional.
A Little More About Me
I am a mom of three boys, married to my best friend, and lucky enough to have five sisters who keep life full and loud. I am a travel enthusiast (follow my stories in Instagram to see what new adventures I am up to) and a morning coffee non-negotiable.
I also know what it means to spend years building something with intention and then step into a new chapter. That is exactly what my clients are doing when they walk into my studio. I do not take that lightly.
How a Session Works
Once you reach out we schedule a phone call. I walk you through my process, learn about your vision, and answer every question you have. This is also a chance for us to make sure we are a good fit before you commit to anything.
For newborn sessions, plan for two to four hours. For maternity sessions, one to two hours. Approximately three to five days after your session I send you a link to your proofs. Once you place your order, finished products are delivered within one to three weeks.
Who I Work With
My clients are professional women in Atlanta who are stepping into motherhood with intention. They are busy and thoughtful about how they invest their time and money, and they want portraits that honestly reflect who they are right now, not a generic version of what maternity or newborn photos are supposed to look like.
If that sounds like you, I would love to hear from you. Reach out and we will start planning your session.
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