mara zalite: brooklyn-based event photographer

Mara Zalite is a Sunset Park, Brooklyn-based photographer passionate about capturing the authentic, fleeting moments that define your special events. Specializing in corporate events, family celebrations, and everything in between, Mara delivers beautifully edited photos within days, with no limit on the number of images.

What is she like on the ground? Can’t. Stop. SMILING. Reveling in the fun you’re having makes her heart sing (and makes you smile more!). She'll catch you mid-laugh, mid-hug, mid-chaos: the good stuff.

Mara is available to document your meaningful moments in Brooklyn, Manhattan, Queens, and beyond.

When not creating things and moments, Mara leads the New York Latvian folk dancing group “Jumalīte” and plans events within the New York Latvian community. As a Tulane University cum laude graduate, Mara worked as a data analyst at an investment bank for 5 years and then ran all sides of the business of an art studio in Dumbo, Brooklyn for 4 years. She’s great with toddlers, kids, teens, and adults - a total people person!

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A woman walking through a busy outdoor street market, smiling while holding a camera, with vendor stalls and people browsing in the background.

Trusted by organizations and hosts across NYC, including

Sagard Capital, Portage Invest, Dumbo Business Improvement District (BID), West Village BID, Sunset Park BID, HausControl, Yael Halaas Plastic Surgery, Luna Dental, HGL ART Preschool, Hit the Books, Gotham Pickleball, Anchor Health Home Care, Abode Care, Attentive Care, Strands Fiction, Yohanna Laurus Piano, Ty Peterson Illustrator, Joshua Reynolds, Creatively Wild Art Studio, Sophia Ottley Jewelry, Youth Choir BALSIS, Latvian Folk Dancing Group “Jumalīte”, New York Latvian Summer Camp, The New York Latvian Concert Choir

Bubie’s birthday at the Yale Club, Meg & Ryan’s wedding at “The Garrison” (alongside Sarma&Co.), Diana & Marvin’s Central Park elopement, Anna & Allen’s celebration of love, Emily & Daniel’s wedding shower, Zinta & Andris’ wedding morning, Olivia’s holiday party, Vivaan’s 2nd birthday, Inta & Marty’s life growing up, Kalvis and Kaija’s childhood, Judd’s christening, Rita’s family photos, and more!

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What the people are saying (aka, reviews):

  • “We had a wonderful experience working with Mara, she was professional and responsive to all of my inquiries. She was warm, patient, and incredibly attentive to detail, capturing each special moment with care and artistry. Mara has a natural ability to make children feel comfortable in front of the camera, which truly brought out their personalities in every shot. All the photos were beautifully composed and thoughtfully edited, preserving the spirit and joy of the day. We're so grateful for her work and we will have her to capture our future events. I am highly recommend her to anyone looking for a talented and kind photographer!”

    May 2025 | 5-star Google review (piano recital)

  • “Needed a photographer in a hurry for a last-minute job and I am absolutely thrilled with Zalimar’s results! As a longtime PR professional, I can recommend Mara's work as being of the highest quality. She understood exactly what I was looking for – compelling action shots of people having fun while playing pickleball. Her results were fantastic; both the venue and the group playing were delighted with her images. She delivered lots of choices, in focus, on time. I couldn't be happier with the outcome. Highly recommend!”

    April 2025 | 5-star Google review (pickleball)

  • "Your photos from the event [Sunset Park September Street Fair] are lovely. I really like the way you captured the spirit of the day."

    September 2025 (Executive Director of the Sunset Park BID in Brooklyn, NY)

  • “I used Mara for my bridal shower and wow- she was incredible! Super easy to work with, personable, reliable, and captured the day beautifully through her photos. She documented every detail perfectly including awesome candid shots of my guests and myself, detail shots, and group photos. She made sure I got any photo I wanted. She delivered the photos to me digitally just two days later which was so appreciated. I highly recommend Mara for your future photography needs!”

    May 2025 | 5-star Google review (bridal shower)

  • "It was wonderful having you and I really felt like you were just so attentive and thoughtful in your sort of way of moving around the room and asking who should be photographed with who and putting it all together and just being patient."

    October 2025 | Family Birthday

  • “Mara is insanely talented. I wanted to create a headshot that felt fun, and relaxed. With just one inspo photo, Mara came to my apartment with suggestions, full layouts, kindly adjusting set up to make sure we reached a photo that felt fun for my business. We started with a chill exercise and she started the whole process with saying "we can take as many as you need." It made me feel immediately at ease. I am 100% working with her in the future and highly recommend! Life saver.”

    March 2025 | 5-star Google review (headshots)

  • Mara was amazing to work with! Professional, punctual, and very talented. The photos came out beautifully and captured every detail perfectly. Highly recommend!”

    August 2025 | 5-star Google review (corporate event)

  • "Mara did an amazing job at our company event, capturing key moments and the liveliness of the crowd. We are really happy with her work and so are our attendees who happily shared the photos on their socials."

    October 2025 | 5-star Google review (2-day, 100-person corporate happy hour and international conference)

  • "Love love love the pics. You nailed it, especially with getting the best and most pics of my mom. She had the best time! Thank you sooooo much. "

    October 2025 | Family Birthday Celebration