Hola, hola! My name is Marlene Mata.
I am a Latina photographer based in Massachusetts. I am originally from New York City. Mi familia and I grew up in Washington Heights or In the Heights (a vibrant Latino community in Upper Manhattan).
Then in 2013, I received an offer for a new job, and ended up moving to Massachusetts. To be honest, I was so homesick for NYC those first two years! I missed the Morior Soñando I would always order at my local bodega. I loved shopping on Fifth Avenue with mi amigos. I missed getting free drinks at Yankees games (psst, did you know my cousin Victor Mata was a Yankees player in the 1980s?)
Still, despite my New York City roots, Massachusetts slowly won my heart. I fell in love with the fall foliages and grew to love sun-gazing at those breathtaking sunsets that dance in beautiful shades of hot pink, luminous purple, and deep blue skies over Cape Cod (even with it’s freezing waters and sharks!). I am fascinated by 17th and 18th century historic architecture in Marblehead, and nothing beats crispy fried scallops with homemade tartar sauce with an ocean view in Quincy.
When I was a little girl, I had an active imagination, always daydreaming and storytelling, which I believe that is what lead me to fall in love with photography. My photography primarily focuses on solo and individual portraits that honor empowerment and authenticity because everyone deserves to be seen, celebrated and captured in their own unique beauty. I also love maternity sessions, where I can document and honor a woman’s body, creating lasting memories that help her feel glowing, beautiful, and radiant during the powerful transition into motherhood, and theater photography, where the raw emotion, talent, and individuality of performers come alive on stage through my lens.
To me, photographs are like a poem. They manifest artistic creativity, authentic storytelling and a vision board of our long-time dreams. They provoke self-reflection and celebrate beauty through my lens. My goal is to create images that nurture healing, foster emotional connection, and honor each person’s unique journey, no shame, no judgment, just the beauty of our individuality. Photographs preserves beautiful moments of our joys, our growth and our transformations.
Fun facts about me: I was born Deaf and American Sign Language is my native language. I’m proud of my Dominican roots. The beaches of Sousa, the mountains of Tubagua and the vibrant street of Santiago will always feel like my second home. I can’t resist Dulce de Leche ice cream, cozy fashion finds, or time spent with my furry friends. I’m also a proud mom to my second favorite human in the world, a beautiful soul, always joyful, a full of humor, and totally obsessed with skateboarding and classic ‘80s films.