Maria Arellano
“FINE ART PORTRAITURE”
… brought to you in part by
bayphoto
ABOUT THE INSTRUCTOR
Maria Arellano is a visionary photographer and the creative force behind Maribella Portraits and Goddess Portraits. With a passion for capturing the unique essence and inner strength of every individual, Maria specializes in transformative imagery that blends fine art aesthetics with a touch of modern sophistication. Her work is celebrated for its dreamy styling, artful composition, and empowering narratives—making each portrait session a one-of-a-kind experience.
Guided by her belief that photography is a powerful form of self-expression, Maria has dedicated her career to creating safe, uplifting spaces where clients feel seen, confident, and inspired. Whether she’s illustrating a goddess-themed portrait session or crafting a timeless family keepsake, Maria’s approach is always marked by authenticity and heartfelt collaboration. Through her camera lens, she aims to reveal the beauty, courage, and magic that lies within every individual.
ABOUT THE CLASS
This is a transformative workshop created for photographers who are ready to elevate their craft and redefine what fine art portraiture truly means.
Fine art is not tied to one genre or style. It is a way of seeing, creating with intention, and crafting portraits that speak to the soul. Whether you love boudoir, fashion, fantasy, editorial, or classic portraiture, you will learn how to bring fine art into every frame.
Together we will step into styled shoots, lighting demonstrations, and creative exercises that help you:
Explore different genres of portraiture and discover how fine art can live within each.
Refine your lighting, posing, and styling so that every image feels like art.
Develop an artistic mindset that lets you shoot with confidence and purpose.
Create a body of work that feels both personal and powerful while still being marketable.
By the end of this experience you will leave with a portfolio of fine art portraits across multiple genres, but more importantly, you will leave with the clarity and courage to see yourself as an artist. This is more than a workshop. It is an invitation to embrace the limitless possibilities of portraiture.
You’ll learn how to –
- See fine art in every genre of portraiture
- Use lighting, posing, and styling to elevate simple setups into gallery-worthy portraits
- Develop concepts and narratives that give your images depth and emotional power
- Create a cohesive body of work that feels both artistic and marketable
- Step into shoots with a fine art mindset that builds confidence, clarity, and vision\
- Use the equipment at hand, explore and develop your creativity
Students should bring:
- Camera
- Portrait lenses, from 50mm to 85mm
- camera cards
- Laptop
- Note taking materials
class level – ALL