Mara Zalite: NYC 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 and nonprofit community events and family celebrations, Mara delivers beautifully edited photos within days, with no limit on the number of images.

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

When not documenting your favorite moments, Mara leads the New York Latvian folk dancing group “Jumalīte,” plans events within the New York Latvian community, and fosters her unhealthy obsession with collage.

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!

Request Event Photography in NYC
Request Event Photography in NYC
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

National League of Cities, Sagard Capital, The Association for A Better New York (ABNY), Portage Invest, Lutron Lighting, CenterState CEO, Genius NY, Dumbo Business Improvement District (BID), West Village BID, Sunset Park BID, AX9 Security, For The Record, HausControl, Yael Halaas Plastic Surgery, Luna Dental, HGL ART Preschool, Hit the Books, Gotham Pickleball, New York Estonian House, Anchor Health Home Care, Abode Care, Attentive Care, Strands Fiction,Yohanna Laurus Piano, Ty Peterson Illustrator, Joshua Reynolds, Creatively Wild Art Studio, New York Latvian Summer Camp, The New York Latvian Concert Choir

Bubie’s birthday at the Yale Club, M&R’s wedding at “The Garrison” (alongside Sarma&Co.), D&M’s Central Park elopement, S’s First Birthday at the Central Park Boathouse, Latvian Folk Dancing Group “Jumalīte”’s dance fundraiser, A&A’s celebration of love, E&D’s wedding shower, O’s holiday party, V’s 2nd birthday, J’s christening, and more!

Press

Latvian State Media (lsm.lv), The Sunset Post, Kill Your Darlings, latviesi.com, Newspaper “Laiks”

What’s it like working with me?

I’ve been there: experienced working in corporate, small business, and non-profit environments as an employee and leader, I’ve always been comfortable in offices, with executives, in art studios, with kids, within communities. I’ll blend right in so you can stay present, but will step up and call the shots if the moment calls for it (group and family pictures anyone?).

I’m all about capturing the real, in-between moments - the ones that happen when no one’s looking but say everything about the energy of your event. And don’t worry about photo limits; if it’s part of your story, I’m getting it. I’ll catch you mid-laugh, mid-hug, mid-chaos: the good stuff.

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