Today we’d like to introduce you to Mona Marandy
Hi Mona, so excited to have you on the platform. So before we get into questions about your work-life, maybe you can bring our readers up to speed on your story and how you got to where you are today?
I started my journey as a photographer in 2019, inspired by a very personal experience. My sister-in-law was pregnant with twins, and I wanted to gift her a maternity shoot. At the time, I had never even heard of maternity photography, and we were a bit late in booking a professional. To my surprise, she asked me to take the photos myself. I vividly remember expressing my doubts, saying, “I don’t know how to take maternity photos—I’m not even a professional photographer!”
However, being a do-it-yourself kind of person who loves a challenge, I decided to give it a shot. I followed a few YouTube tutorials, purchased some equipment on Amazon, and borrowed my dad’s expensive camera. That first shoot with my sister-in-law turned out to be a turning point for me—I fell in love with capturing the beauty of pregnancy, and it ignited a passion I never knew I had.
Since I wasn’t a photographer before this, I sought to learn from the best. During my research, I discovered Lola Melani Photography. I was drawn not only to her incredible talent but also to her role as a mentor and teacher. I took all of her online courses, flew to Vegas for her workshops, and even engaged in one-on-one mentoring sessions in my studio. Learning Photoshop through YouTube and developing my style took time, but Lola’s influence was invaluable. Her videos and courses helped me hone my skills significantly.
I began shooting friends and model calls, and soon after, I started booking jobs. Today, Lola Melani remains my go-to for any questions I have, and I’m eagerly anticipating her return to Los Angeles for more mentoring sessions in my studio. I am still her biggest fan and heavily influenced by her work. Having her like my photos on social media is still the biggest compliment to me.
I genuinely love doing maternity and motherhood sessions; it’s such a special time in a woman’s life. For me, the most rewarding aspect is making the mamas and future mamas feel beautiful and celebrated—something they may not always feel during pregnancy or motherhood. It’s a privilege to be part of their journey, capturing these precious moments.
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?
My journey as a photographer has certainly not been without its struggles. The first challenge was the learning curve itself, as I was not a photographer when I began. I had to immerse myself in learning the craft from the ground up, which was both exciting and daunting.
Another significant hurdle was my workspace. In the beginning, I had to move all the furniture out of my living room in my condo to create a makeshift studio for my sessions. This process was incredibly time-consuming and exhausting, as I had to rearrange everything each time I wanted to shoot. Fortunately, I now have my own dedicated studio space where I can create my art in peace. While I could always use a larger space, my dream is to have high ceilings and ample room to fully express my creativity.
Additionally, I faced challenges during the COVID-19 pandemic. Just as I was gaining momentum and excitement for my work, we were forced to shut down for a year, which was tough for everyone in the industry.
Lastly, navigating social media has been another struggle. A significant part of my photography involves implied nudity, showcasing the beauty of the pregnant form—like the silhouette of a woman draped in fabric. However, social media platforms frequently flag accounts for nudity, even when the images are tasteful and artistic. While I understand that some photos can be too explicit, there’s nothing more beautiful than capturing the elegance of a pregnant woman in a way that celebrates her form. It’s truly portrait-worthy art, and I wish platforms would recognize that distinction.
Appreciate you sharing that. What else should we know about what you do?
I specialize in timeless and classic maternity photography, known for incorporating rich shadows and draped silks to create an artistic vibe in my images. I particularly love shooting against black or white backdrops, as well as my hand-painted backdrops by the talented Vlada Backdrops, which evoke the elegance of a Vanity Fair cover each time I shoot against them.
What truly sets me apart and makes me most proud is my collaboration with my sister, Lisa Marandy. She is the owner of Pregnancy Bestie and a certified doula and postpartum care specialist. During every maternity shoot, Lisa provides care to the pregnant mamas in the studio while I do the shoot, but most importantly discussing their birth plans and addressing any concerns they may have. Many of my clients hire her as their doula for birth support or as a postpartum and night nurse specialist. The services she provides during the shoot is priceless and complimentary to my clients.
It’s incredibly fulfilling to offer such a holistic service to these women. While I capture their beauty and help them remember this special time in their lives, Lisa addresses the practical and emotional needs of the mothers-to-be. She answers important questions, like how to prevent tearing during birth, which are often on their minds or addresses their fear of giving birth.
I’ve noticed that the partners who come to our studio are always pleasantly surprised by how much fun they have and how easy the experience is, thanks to the guidance we provide. They often learn so much from Lisa, which helps ease their feelings of panic or helplessness during the birthing process. Watching them gain knowledge and confidence is truly rewarding.
By the end of our sessions, families look forward to returning for future shoots, and I like to think of our collaboration as creating a priceless experience—like the Mona Lisa, not just a painting, but something truly special.
So maybe we end on discussing what matters most to you and why?
What matters most to me is being able to offer my services for as long as possible, at a price that allows more people to experience them. Maternity and Motherhood photography is incredibly unique—it’s not just a photoshoot, it’s about capturing a moment in your life that is so special. These moments should be professionally photographed, where the experience is treated as an art form. You want to step a little outside your comfort zone and have a photographer who can turn those moments into something beautiful and artistic.
That’s why I always tell my clients: take photos on your phone, but at least once a year, invest in someone who can truly create art with your photos.
What I want my current and future clients to know is that I edit you to look like the best version of yourself. You don’t need to look like a model or be in perfect shape to shoot with me. So many mothers hesitate to do a photoshoot because they don’t feel their best physically, but that’s exactly why you hire a photographer. I may not be able to fully fix how you feel on the inside (although you’ll have so much fun and feel like a goddess), but I will absolutely make sure you look like a perfect goddess on the outside.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.monamarandy.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/monamarandyphotography/
- Yelp: https://www.yelp.com/biz/mona-marandy-photography-studio-los-angeles
- Other: https://www.pinterest.com/monamarandyphotography/
Mona Marandy and her mentor/ teacher Lola Melani
Set up of her first photoshoot in her Living room
Mona Marandy published photo with celebrities
Image Credits
Lola Melani ( my mentor) and me
Me in action
photo of my setup of the first day of me doing my sister in law shoot in my condo
Publications features of Scheana shay and Sharna Burgess and Brian Austin green.
