It was unexpected for me how easily we started connecting with Mari when I first met her on the photo session location and how naturally the whole process flowed. Working with Mari was such a wonderful experience. I hadn’t expected to relax and trust so fully, but looking at the photos, it’s clear how much I opened up during the shoot. I received a result far deeper than I anticipated. I finally felt authentic—truly beautiful! This is something I should have sought out before it.

If you want to see yourself in a new light, discover unknown aspects of yourself, and see yourself differently, then you should get your photographs taken by Mari Saxon. With her creative, unconventional and professional approach with dedication to her work, Mari will make your photography experience unique, luxurious, and unforgettable!

Mari is very accommodating. The photoshoot felt incredibly free; during it, I felt relaxed and at ease, and the results were simply stunning. I saw myself from a new perspective and began to accept myself more fully.

A stroll with Mari turned out to be a playful adventure. A game of imagination, light and shadow, a dress-up game where you put on your mom’s dress, which reaches her knees but falls to the floor on you, and you pretend to be a princess. Or when grandma’s old scarf becomes a cape, and a doll from the teapot turns into a hat. It’s climbing over fences, running from guards in abandoned parks, sliding through puddles on a summer skating rink. It’s racing downhill at full speed, legs flying up and heels almost touching your back. It’s spinning and dancing for no reason, like in childhood, without music or choreography. Lots of laughter and unexpected discoveries. It’s a game of "let's." Let’s, I’ll climb up on the pedestal and be a statue; let’s blow up balloons and toss them into the air. And through this game, there’s discovery, recognition, or recollection of parts of yourself. Is that really me? And that? And that too???

When Mari suggested photographing me in the water, I immediately agreed, of course. Well, how could I not? Water and I—that’s totally me! And especially through Mari’s eyes. The result was Nimueh, the lake goddess from Arthurian legends. Mari came up with the name for her works, and I’m absolutely thrilled! I’ve never seen myself this way, never even imagined it... I keep looking at the photos and trying them on… Me and Water. Me and Nature... Me and Infinity. In the last few days, I’ve felt an overwhelming desire to dive deep, as deep as possible, curl up at the bottom among the algae, hug a little stone, and just not show myself for a couple of weeks... I see so much beauty in the depths—there’s no noise, but there’s a very real living music, it’s beautiful down there, and there are only a few who truly appreciate it. But what connoisseurs they are! By the way, Mari really managed to dive deep with me. Though, more likely, I dove with her. Thank you so much, Mari! It’s just incredibly beautiful in every sense! I’m still admiring it and reliving the experience! Such a delicious aftertaste...

I realized that I need to do more of these photo projects. It’s not just about beauty, aesthetics, or a form of self-expression. It’s not even only a tool for self-discovery or symbolic work with the psyche on set goals. I see the feedback from others and understand that such projects are perceived as art, touching something deep within people, and it can change their lives.

I wanted to try with Mari something that was a bit out of my element with creativity and fun. I wasn't going into this experience expecting any particular thing so I would say it was a great growth experience - totally new and out of the ordinary.

Mari was at ease so I became more at ease...as much as one can be on a 100 degree day in a silk skirt. Mari offered suggested use of props and materials but didn't force anything. She let me know when she needed a moment to think - her communication was very important. Mari gave great directions in how she wanted me to move and where to turn my head, place hands etc. and that was very very helpful.

And the result - I got serious, playful, full body, creative posing on the grass, hiding behind trees....all playful and unique.

I think for anyone who wants to grow a bit and experience something new, a photo shoot with Mari would be perfect thing for them to do! She is AMAZING!!!!

For the first time, I allowed myself to share photos where I am quite open, exposed. I saw grace, beauty, courage in them. I allowed myself not to be shy about admiring myself. I really admired myself, my body, through Mari's vision. I made a video with these photos for my song, which I loved and was proud of, but hadn't shown to anyone for 7 years because I thought it wasn't technically correct enough. And then I decided - wow, I'm so cool, I can share these photos and my song and not be afraid of other people's opinions!

After our shooting with Mari, I began to believe in myself, felt more courage to be who I am instead of conforming to conventional standards. She gave me myself, the opportunity to be true. To be authentic. It made me want to create more, experiment more, not follow all the rules, not use stereotypes, and be free in self-expression. I felt that I have a voice, a right to self-expression.

I am impressed by Mari's dedication; she can go with the flow yet remains disciplined and prepared. She is the first photographer in my life who sketches every frame of the upcoming shoot.

I really appreciate Mari’s generous and loving approach and attitude. She was able to capture the complex love between the family members while focusing on each individual person and highlighting their personality. It definitely made me feel good to see the photos. Mari made us all look beautiful, the photos are edited to feature intimate details. . I felt very comfortable trusting Mari with documenting myself and my children as she takes photos from a place of love and admiration for her subjects. Mari looks for beauty and tenderness without any hint of kitsch or sentimentality; this is extraordinarily difficult to do, especially when photographing children and families, and she is one of the few people I’ve ever seen do it successfully.

Mari sees and understands everything, and is able to convey it. It's a unique talent.

The process of creating a photo story was alive and self-generating. I voiced my goal for this project, and Mari started offering ideas.

I appreciated the photographer's straightforwardness in her artistic vision combined with sensitivity and care towards the model. It was a safe space for collaboration. The photo shoot was meant to be unpredictable due to the presence of snakes. I felt comfortable sharing my vulnerability and fears. Thanks to Mari's attentiveness the process was comfortable and enjoyable. Mari's pre-planned concepts intertwined with moments of improvisation.

A month has passed since the shoot, and now I can confidently say that the state of creative collaboration was one of the most significant outcomes of this project. It became a part of my identity. The realization of this project changed me, and there's even visual evidence of it: after the shoot with the white wig, I changed my hair color to blonde. Projects with Mari undeniably offer freedom in joint creative expression.

Friends, I highly recommend Maria, she is an artist who lives a little life with you.

Mari is a very careful, aesthetic, and attentive photographer. I have seen in most cases when she is taking my pictures, but it never felt unpleasant - I liked how she captures moments with her camera without any forced posing. Everything felt very natural. It is even more surprising when seeing the results. These photos are exactly what was inside me, not just that evening but for the entire recent period

I really like how the result turned out. And love how Mari was playing with different lighting and her vision for the photographs.

It was a pleasure to work with her and I'm grateful Mari for making me comfortable throughout the shoot.

Going to a photoshoot with Mari, I wanted to have some unusual and unexpected portraits. And as a result, that's exactly what I got. I saw myself through her eyes, and it was something I hadn't seen before. It was like magic. I realized that I can transform or reinterpret myself, and that's pretty cool at my age.

Working with Mari was spectacular! She is not only very encouraging which is helpful and makes everyone more comfortable, but her work is amazing. She is very easygoing and open to suggestions. She reached out before the session in order to plan for the theme and decide on some shots that we were sure we wanted to get! In the session, her expertise was also helpful in creating some wonderful poses in beautiful backgrounds. These extra shots and poses ended up being some of my favorite from the session.

Mari's work on the pictures was also astonishing as she captured the natural beauty of the area in which we photographed as well as the portraits she took. I absolutely loved working with her and would recommend her to anyone looking for a photographer! I only hope I can go back to Boston to work with her again.

Mari knows how to start the process very easily, I was absolutely relaxed, I didn't tense up, I didn't think that I would now have to "be a model" and act, everything was very natural and easy. The conversation smoothly flowed into the beginning of the photo session, then into the experiment area, one experiment smoothly flowed into the next, and so on and so forth. I always felt like a participant in the process, which helped me a lot.

The photos that I've got are wonderful, I like the play with light. I like the fact that with simple things without pathos and staging Mari can make such unusual and magical photos.