We were lucky to catch up with Maria Rogers recently and have shared our conversation below.

Maria, thanks for joining us, excited to have you contributing your stories and insights. When did you first know you wanted to pursue a creative/artistic path professionally?

My intentions were never to become a photographer. I always thought I’d be a nurse. Growing up with kidney disease and being in and out of hospitals made me want to help people especially children, Just like they had helped me. I became a medical assistant working with children all while going to school for nursing… and then life happened.

I became a newlywed. Then I became unemployed. So we took that year to travel and reset a little. Not long after, my daughter came into our lives…and everything changed again.

That’s when I picked up a camera for the first time. I had no idea what I was doing. I didn’t know how to use a camera, didn’t know anything about running a business. But I went with it. I signed up for a business class, took a few workshops with well-known photographers, and just started showing up. I started putting my name out there, little by little I became one of the top newborn + family photographers in Bergen County.

As always, we appreciate you sharing your insights and we’ve got a few more questions for you, but before we get to all of that can you take a minute to introduce yourself and give our readers some of your back background and context?

Hi! I’m Maria Rogers, the heart behind Tiny Hearts Photography, based in Bergen County, New Jersey. I specialize in newborn and maternity photography and have been in business for over 10 years. My passion lies in capturing the beauty of new beginnings—the quiet magic of pregnancy, the first days of life, and the deep love that bonds families together.

How I Got Started
My journey into photography began after one of the most life-changing moments of my life—becoming a mother. After having my daughter, Brianna, something inside me shifted. I knew I wanted to pursue something more meaningful, something that allowed me to express myself creatively while also honoring the fleeting, beautiful moments of motherhood and childhood. That’s when I fell in love with photography.

I enrolled in business classes at a local college, where I learned the foundation of what it takes to run a successful business. Those classes helped me understand the importance of structure, branding, and how to create a business plan that would guide and support me as I grew Tiny Hearts Photography from the ground up.

In addition to the business side, I also dove into the creative world of photography by learning from some of the industry’s best. I attended workshops with world-renowned photographers like Dewdrops Photography by Amy McDaniel, whose newborn work inspired so much of my early passion. I also trained with My Four Hens Photography by Sarah Cornish, whose soulful, emotive family imagery deeply influenced my style and approach. Their mentorships not only gave me technical skills but also the confidence to carve out my own space in this industry.

Those early steps—fueled by passion, education, and the inspiration of my daughter—laid the foundation for what has now become over a decade of doing what I love most: capturing the heart of growing families.

What I Offer
I specialize in newborn, maternity, Fresh 48, and milestone sessions, providing families with beautifully styled, emotionally rich, and timeless imagery. Sessions take place either in my cozy studio located in Franklin Lakes, NJ, outdoors at a scenic location, or even in the comfort of your own home. Every session is tailored, with wardrobe guidance, prop selection, and a client closet available to make the experience stress-free and seamless.

I also offer custom heirloom products—from fine art albums to keepsake boxes and museum-quality prints—because your memories deserve more than just sitting on a phone.

What Sets Me Apart
What truly sets Tiny Hearts Photography apart is connection. I don’t just photograph families—I build relationships with them. Many of my clients come back year after year, and I’ve had the honor of capturing everything from baby bumps to high school seniors. My sessions are not rushed; I prioritize comfort, trust, and creating a space where parents can relax and children can just be themselves. My style is luxe, natural, and soulful—never overly posed, always filled with warmth and authenticity.

What I’m Most Proud Of
I’m most proud of the fact that my work tells real stories. I’ve captured rainbow babies, NICU graduates, and long-awaited miracles. I’ve cried happy tears with families during emotional Fresh 48 hospital sessions. And I’ve had clients share that our sessions were healing or empowering—especially for mothers who didn’t feel their most beautiful or strong during pregnancy but saw themselves differently through my lens.

If you’re out there thinking about chasing a dream..do it.
If something unexpected falls into your lap, maybe it’s there for a reason. Run with it. Make it your own. Just don’t give up.

What do you find most rewarding about being a creative?

What I’m most proud of is that my work tells real stories—the kind that go beyond the picture-perfect moments. I’ve had the honor of documenting rainbow babies, NICU warriors, and long-awaited little miracles. I’ve been invited into hospital rooms for Fresh 48 sessions where the joy was so overwhelming, it brought tears to all of our eyes.

Some of the most meaningful feedback I’ve received comes from mothers who told me they didn’t feel beautiful or strong during pregnancy—until they saw themselves through my lens. That, to me, is everything. Being able to create images that heal, empower, and celebrate a family’s unique journey is why I do what I do.

What do you think is the goal or mission that drives your creative journey?

At the heart of my creative journey is a mission to celebrate connection and preserve emotion. My goal is to create more than just beautiful images—I want to tell your story in an honest, soulful, and timeless way. Whether it’s the quiet strength of a mother-to-be, the tiny details of a brand-new baby, or the joyful chaos of a growing family, I aim to capture the love that binds it all together.

I believe that photographs are more than keepsakes—they’re a way of holding onto moments we never want to forget. As a mother myself, I know how quickly time passes. My mission is to help families freeze those fleeting seconds and turn them into meaningful heirlooms that can be cherished for generations.

Through every session, I want my clients to feel seen, valued, and celebrated. That’s what drives me—and that’s the heart behind everything I create at Tiny Hearts Photography.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.tinyheartsphotography.com/
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/tinyheartsphotography/
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/tinyheartsphotography