Exploring Life & Business with Tanya Maida of Galaxy Photography

Today we’d like to introduce you to Tanya Maida.

Hi Tanya, so excited to have you with us today. What can you tell us about your story?
It’s hard to answer this briefly, because the beginning of my journey as a photographer was so unexpected. I never really decided I was going to become a photographer, or even thought of it as this big lifelong passion from the start. In college, I took a photography class just for fun, and I remember sitting there one day thinking, “Wow… photography for a living, what an amazing life.” At the time, it was just a passing thought. Looking back now, it feels like something deeper in me already knew.

That same year, my brother surprised me with a DSLR camera for my birthday. A few months later, I unexpectedly found myself in Syria for my uncle’s wedding. My parents are from Syria, and to be honest, I went through a lot of culture shock at first. But seeing the country through my camera changed so much for me. It changed the way I saw Syria, my culture, and even myself. I shared many of those images online, and that was the first time my family really started to see me as a photographer.

Years later, as friends and family started having babies, many of them were struggling to find someone whose work they loved, who was within budget, and who lived nearby. They started encouraging me to try newborn photography. I did… and after the first time, I swore I would never do it again. But then a few years later, another cousin asked. Then again. And again. Over the course of eight years, I kept getting pulled back to it. Each time, I resisted the idea that it could become something more, mostly because I knew how much time and energy it would take, and between full-time jobs and school, I just didn’t have that to give.

Eventually, life slowed me down in a way I never expected, and for the first time, I had the space to really explore it. What started with Christmas photos for a friend and newborn photos for a cousin quickly turned into something much bigger. Within a year, I had a studio and a real business.

The last few years have stretched me in every way. There has been so much to learn, and it has been far more work than I ever imagined, but it has also been incredibly rewarding. I feel so grateful that I get to do something creative for a living, and even more grateful that it allows me to preserve moments that mean so much to the people who trust me with them.

Alright, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
In some ways, the journey has felt very smooth, and in other ways, deeply challenging.

The smoothness has come from the incredible support I’ve received from my friends and family. They showed up for me in the most meaningful way possible: by giving me their time and trusting me to practice on the people they love most. I truly owe so much of the speed of my growth to that generosity. Photography is learned not only through study, but through repetition, experience, and being given the space to improve. Had I struggled to find people willing to step in front of my camera, I truly believe I would be years behind where I am now. I will never fully be able to express how grateful I am to them.

The challenging side has been the amount of time, energy, and stamina this work requires. It is such a physical job, and it asks a lot of you creatively, emotionally, and mentally as well. During the first two years especially, I worked every day of the week, often putting in 10- to 14-hour days. At times it was isolating, and it demanded more from me than I ever imagined I had to give. There were all-nighters, moments of intense pressure, plenty of imposter syndrome, and certainly times when things did not go the way I hoped — whether that meant images falling short of my vision or a baby simply having a hard day.

Even so, I feel incredibly blessed. There are so many people who work just as hard and still struggle to find their clients, so I never take any of this for granted. I have been very fortunate, and that is something I feel humbled by all the time.

Appreciate you sharing that. What should we know about Galaxy Photography?
My business is called Galaxy Photography, and I specialize in newborn and family photography.

Very early on, one of the biggest things I noticed was how anxious so many moms felt before their sessions. I heard things like, “I haven’t slept in a week,” “I’ve been so anxious about today,” and “I can’t wait for this to be over.” Hearing that over and over stayed with me.

It made me realize that beautiful photos are only part of what families need. The experience matters just as much.

From that point on, I built my approach around one question: how would I want to be treated if I were in their position? That mindset has shaped everything I do.

I want my clients to walk into their session feeling supported, guided, and taken care of. Many parents come in exhausted, overwhelmed, or nervous about how everything will go, and I never want them to feel like they have to perform. My goal is not only to create timeless images, but also to make the process feel calm, personal, and easy.

What I am most proud of is that Galaxy Photography has grown through trust. More than anything, I want people to feel safe, seen, and cared for from beginning to end. To me, this work is about more than delivering beautiful photos. It is about creating an experience that feels just as meaningful as the images themselves.

What matters most to you? Why?
What matters most to me is how people feel. Photography can be a very vulnerable experience, especially when someone is exhausted, nervous, postpartum, or carrying the weight of wanting everything to go just right. Because of that, it has never been just about creating a beautiful image for me. It is also about creating an experience where people feel comfortable, cared for, and at ease.

I know I am being trusted with moments that cannot be recreated, and I never take that lightly. That trust means a great deal to me. More than anything, I want the people I photograph to feel supported throughout the process and to leave not only with beautiful images, but with the feeling that they were genuinely cared for.

Pricing:

• $800 for Newborns
• $500 for Milestones (Cake Smashes)
• $500 for Family Photography

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.galaxyphotographyla.com
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/galaxyphotographyla/
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61555732350187