Today we’d like to introduce you to Paula Martinez.
Hi Paula, it’s an honor to have you on the platform. Thanks for taking the time to share your story with us – to start maybe you can share some of your backstory with our readers?
Photography has been part of my life for as long as I can remember. From a very young age, I was drawn not just to images, but to people, to emotions, relationships, and the quiet moments that happen between words. Human connection has always moved me, and photography became my way of honoring it.
Over time, that curiosity evolved into a deeper purpose. I realized that unity celebrations, especially weddings, are where human connection reveals itself most honestly. Love, family, vulnerability, joy, and tradition all exist in one shared space, and documenting that felt like a natural path for me.
What began as a lifelong passion has grown into my professional journey and the foundation of my work today. I continue to photograph weddings not just as events, but as meaningful stories, reflections of connection, intention, and the way people come together to celebrate love.
Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
Not at all. Building a business comes with its own challenges, but doing so in a new country adds an entirely different layer. When I arrived, I didn’t have family, longtime friends, or an existing network to lean on, I had to start from scratch.
There were moments of uncertainty, learning not only how to grow as a photographer, but how to navigate a new culture, a new market, and the realities of entrepreneurship at the same time. Those challenges forced me to become resilient, intentional, and deeply committed to my vision.
Looking back, those struggles shaped the way I work today. They taught me the value of trust, community, and human connection, the very things that now define both my life and my work.
Can you tell our readers more about what you do and what you think sets you apart from others?
I specialize in wedding and celebration photography, with a strong focus on documenting human connection in its most honest form. My work is rooted in emotion, the quiet in-between moments, the unspoken glances, the way people hold each other during meaningful celebrations. Rather than directing or forcing moments, I aim to observe and preserve what naturally unfolds.
What I’m most proud of is the trust my couples place in me. Many of them tell me they felt truly seen, not just photographed, and that means more to me than any trend or recognition. Being invited into such intimate moments of unity is something I never take lightly.
What sets my work apart is my sensitivity to people and to story. Having built my life and business from the ground up, I approach each wedding with intention, empathy, and presence. I don’t see weddings as events to capture, but as living stories of love, family, culture, and connection, and that perspective shapes everything I create.
What are your plans for the future?
Looking ahead, I’m excited to continue expanding my work beyond my local market and into more destination weddings, both outside the state and internationally. I’ve had the opportunity to photograph a few already, and each experience has deepened my desire to document love stories across different landscapes and traditions.
I’m especially drawn to photographing unity celebrations from different cultures. Exploring how love, family, and connection are expressed around the world feels like a natural extension of my work and values. Each culture brings its own rhythm, rituals, and meaning, and I would love for my future work to reflect that diversity.
More than big changes, my focus is on intentional growth, continuing to evolve creatively, staying connected to people, and telling stories that feel honest, human, and timeless, wherever they may take place.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.amarenaproductions.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/amarena.productions
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/amarenaproductions
