Today we’d like to introduce you to Mariam Zaki.
Hi Mariam, we’re thrilled to have a chance to learn your story today. So, before we get into specifics, maybe you can briefly walk us through how you got to where you are today?
My Story Behind the Camera
Photography has been a part of my heart for as long as I can remember.
As a child, I was always fascinated by cameras. I would save my money to buy digital cameras and spend hours capturing the world around me. Even then, I loved preserving moments and telling stories through photographs, although I didn’t yet realize that this passion would become my life’s work.
What truly inspired me to become a photographer was something much deeper than a love for cameras it was the photographs I had with my mother.
Those images became some of my most treasured possessions. They taught me that photographs are far more than pictures; they are memories frozen in time. They allow us to hold on to the people we love, relive precious moments, and keep emotions alive long after the moment has passed.
Because of that, I developed a passion for helping families preserve their own stories. I wanted parents to have beautiful memories with their children, and I wanted every family to have photographs they could cherish for generations.
As I continued photographing people, many clients and fellow photographers encouraged me by telling me how creative I was and how unique my vision was. Their support gave me the confidence to turn my passion into a professional career.
Today, I specialize in maternity, newborn, and family photography. There is nothing more rewarding to me than documenting a family’s journey from the excitement of expecting a baby, to welcoming a newborn, to capturing the love and connection that grows through every stage of family life.
Newborn photography holds a particularly special place in my heart. I love designing creative setups, styling beautiful newborn sessions, and carefully selecting props that make each session unique. Creativity is one of my greatest passions, and I enjoy creating artistic, timeless images while ensuring every family feels comfortable and valued.
My work is also deeply influenced by my own personal experiences. One of my greatest wishes was for my mother to be present at my wedding. Sadly, she was not able to be there. Because of this, whenever I photograph a wedding, I pay special attention to the relationship between a bride and her mother, as well as the bond between a bride and her father. The tears, the smiles, the hugs, and the emotions shared during those moments mean so much to me because I understand how precious they truly are.
These experiences remind me that photographs are not simply images they are a family’s legacy.
I am naturally drawn to kind, genuine, and creative people. I love building relationships with my clients and creating an experience where they feel seen, celebrated, and cared for. Throughout my career, I have had the privilege of collaborating with talented photographers, continuously learning, growing, and refining my craft.
Over the years, my work has been recognized through numerous publications, magazine features, and magazine covers. In 2024, I was honored to be selected as one of the Top Five Photographers by Harrisburg Magazine. In 2025, I received a First Place Creativity Award in a competition spanning five states. I was also honored to receive the Best of Business Rate Award in the Camp Hill area for two consecutive years, recognizing both the quality of my work and the satisfaction of the families .I serve Many of my images have been published in magazines and featured on magazine covers, achievements for which I am incredibly grateful.
While these recognitions are meaningful, my greatest accomplishment has always been knowing that the photographs I create become cherished memories for the families I serve.
Photography is more than my profession it is my purpose.
My goal is simple: to preserve love, celebrate family, and create images that will be treasured for generations. Because one day, photographs may be all we have left of a moment, and that is exactly why they matter so much.
Mariam Zaki
Award-Winning Newborn, Maternity & Family Photographer
Founder of Mariam Zaki Photography
We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
No 😊
When people see the business, I have today, the awards, the publications, and the recognition my work has received, they often don’t see the journey that led me here. They see the result, but not the countless sacrifices, challenges, and sleepless nights behind it.
When I first started my photography business, I had no studio, no large network, and no family nearby to help. I was building everything from the ground up in a place where very few people knew who I was. Every opportunity had to be earned, and every client had to learn to trust me.
I worked incredibly hard to invest in my dream. I made financial sacrifices so I could afford professional equipment and continue improving my craft. During the day, I worked to support my family. At night, while most people were sleeping, I was editing, studying, learning new techniques, and working to become a better photographer and business owner.
At the same time, I was raising my children and balancing the responsibilities of motherhood. Some of the most demanding seasons of my business happened while I was pregnant. I continued learning, working, photographing sessions, and building my business while expecting my children. In fact, when I was pregnant with my third child, I worked right up until the day I delivered.
During that period, my husband was facing health challenges and was unable to help as much as he would have liked, which meant much of the responsibility rested on my shoulders. I was caring for my children, taking my son to and from school, arranging childcare, managing my household, working part-time, and growing a business all at the same time.
Because I didn’t have my own studio yet (2019). every session required extra effort. I rented studio space when needed, packed and transported all of my equipment, created the setups, photographed the session, and then spent hours editing afterward. There were days when I felt exhausted and overwhelmed, wondering how I would manage it all.
But through every challenge, I kept going.
I believed in my dream, even when the path seemed impossible. More importantly, I trusted God every step of the way. Looking back now, I can see His hand guiding me through every obstacle, opening doors when I couldn’t see a way forward, and giving me strength when I felt I had none left.
Those difficult years shaped who I am today. They taught me resilience, patience, perseverance, and gratitude. They reminded me that success is rarely built overnight it is built through faith, hard work, and the willingness to keep moving forward even when things are difficult.
Today, when I photograph a newborn, a growing family, or a special milestone, I understand how precious those moments truly are. I know how quickly life changes and how valuable memories become with time.
The journey was not easy, but every challenge, every sacrifice, and every sleepless night was worth it. They helped me build not only a successful business, but a life dedicated to preserving the moments that matter most.
And for that, I am deeply grateful.
Alright, so let’s switch gears a bit and talk business. What should we know about your work?
I am an award-winning photographer and the founder of Mariam Zaki Photography, specializing in newborn, maternity, family, and milestone photography. My passion is capturing the most meaningful moments in a family’s journey and turning them into timeless memories that can be cherished for generations.
While I photograph many important milestones, newborn photography is especially close to my heart. I love creating unique and creative setups, carefully styling each session with beautiful props, colors, and artistic details that reflect the individuality of every baby and family. Creativity has always been one of my greatest strengths, and I enjoy designing sessions that are both artistic and deeply meaningful.
I am known for creating images that are full of emotion, connection, and storytelling. My goal is never simply to take a beautiful photograph. I want my clients to feel something when they look at their images years later. I want them to remember the tiny details of their newborn’s first days, the excitement of expecting a child, or the love shared between family members during a special season of life.
What sets me apart is my personal connection to the importance of memories. Photography is not just a business for me it is a way of preserving life’s most precious moments. Because of my own experiences, I understand how quickly time passes and how valuable photographs become over the years. That perspective influences every session I create and every family I serve.
I am also known for my dedication to my clients. From planning each session to designing creative concepts and delivering a personalized experience, I strive to make every family feel valued, comfortable, and celebrated.
Over the years, I have been honored to receive recognition for my work, including being selected as one of the Top Five Photographers by Harrisburg Magazine, receiving a First Place Creativity Award in a competition spanning five states, and being recognized as a Best of Business winner in the Camp Hill area. My work has also been featured in numerous magazines and on magazine covers.
While I am incredibly grateful for these awards and publications, what I am most proud of is the trust that families place in me. There is no greater honor than knowing that the images I create become part of a family’s legacy and will be treasured for years to come.
At the end of the day, my purpose is simple: to preserve love, celebrate family, and create meaningful artwork that tells each family’s unique story.
Can you tell us more about what you were like growing up?
Growing up, I was always a creative and curious person. I loved observing people, noticing small details, and finding beauty in everyday moments. Even as a child, I was drawn to anything artistic and enjoyed expressing myself through creativity.
I was also very determined. When I set my mind on something, I worked hard to achieve it. That determination has stayed with me throughout my life and has played a huge role in building my photography business.
Family was always very important to me, and I loved spending time with the people I cared about most. Looking back, I think that’s one of the reasons I connect so deeply with family photography today. I have always valued relationships, love, and the memories created with the people closest to us.
One of my biggest interests growing up was photography. I was fascinated by cameras and loved taking pictures whenever I had the opportunity. I would save money to buy digital cameras and spend hours capturing moments, not realizing that this childhood passion would eventually become my career.
Personality-wise, I would describe myself as kind, compassionate, and hardworking. I genuinely enjoy helping others and making people feel comfortable and valued. At the same time, I’ve always had a strong sense of perseverance. Even when things were difficult, I believed in continuing to move forward and trusting God’s plan.
I was never someone who dreamed of collecting awards or recognition. What inspired me was the idea of creating something meaningful and making a difference in people’s lives. That is still what motivates me today.
In many ways, I am still the same person I was as a little girl someone who loves creativity, treasures family, and believes that the most beautiful moments in life deserve to be remembered.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://mariamzakiphotography.com/
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/mariamzakiphotography/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100063613658915
