Light first, always
We chase natural light and shape it intentionally. Mood comes from how a scene is lit long before any editing begins.
Our story
It started with a single roll of film
Aperture began in 2013 in a borrowed garage studio, with one camera, a north-facing window, and a stubborn belief that a photograph should make you feel something. Our founder, Mara Ellison, had spent years assisting on commercial sets and grew tired of images that were technically perfect but emotionally empty.
So she built the studio she wished she'd worked in — one where the day is never rushed, where clients are directed kindly, and where every frame is finished by hand. Word travelled. A garage became a daylight studio in the arts district, and a solo photographer became a small, tight-knit team.
Today Aperture shoots weddings, portraits, and brand campaigns across the country, but the original rule still holds: get the light right, give people room to be themselves, and the story takes care of itself.
Approach & values
What guides every shoot
However different the brief, the way we work stays the same. These are the principles behind the pictures.
Calm on set
Relaxed people photograph better. We keep the energy easy so genuine expressions have space to appear.
True-to-life finishing
We retouch with restraint — refined, never artificial. You'll still recognise yourself in every frame.
Prepared, not improvised
Shot lists, timelines, and location scouting mean the creative day runs smoothly from first frame to last.
Honest storytelling
We document what's real rather than staging perfection. The best moments are usually the unplanned ones.
Care after delivery
Archival backups, fast turnarounds, and print-ready files — your images are looked after long after the shoot.
A decade, measured in moments
2013Year founded
900+Sessions shot
120+Weddings captured
15Industry awards
The team
The people behind the lens
A small crew of photographers and editors who genuinely love this craft — and bring it to every booking.
Mara Ellison
Founder & Lead
Portrait and wedding specialist. Builds the light, sets the tone.
Jonah Okafor
Commercial Lead
Product and campaign work with a sharp, editorial eye.
Sofia Reyes
Second Shooter
Catches the candid in-between moments others miss.
Hideo Kato
Lead Retoucher
Color grading and finishing that stays true to life.
How we work
From first message to final gallery
Every booking follows the same considered rhythm, so you always know what's coming next.
Consult & plan
We learn your vision and map out light, locations, and a timeline together.
Shoot day
Relaxed, well-directed, and on schedule — so the moments feel effortless.
Edit & deliver
Hand-graded images arrive in a private online gallery, ready to share and print.
Like how we think? Let's make pictures
Tell us about the moment you want to capture. We'd love to hear it and check our calendar for you.