Welcome to Maya Seaman creative
I’m Maya Seaman, a San Diego food and beverage photographer with a background in marketing and editorial lifestyle media. I create visually striking images for bars, restaurants, and industry brands that appeal to potential customers, tempting them with rich textures and mouthwatering details.
Perfect for digital media applications and editorial features alike, my work leans into point-of-view scenes that evoke the genuine customer experience.
I find that vibrant imagery mixed with authenticity helps persuade would-be patrons, especially those using social media, magazines, and online menus to help them decide where to dine, drink, and what to buy. I like to engage the senses and tell a story using color, motion, and attention to craftsmanship.
Services I offer:
On-site food, beverage, and lifestyle photography
In-studio product photography and staged recipe builds
Full-service social media management
Editorial and lifestyle photoshoots
Event photography
Services
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What sets me apart from a typical social media agency is the level of personal service and flexibility I offer. You're not passed around between team members or locked into an expensive retainer with extras you don’t need.
I work closely with each client, adapt quickly, and treat your business like my own. It's more responsive, more hands-on—and, frankly, better value. You get senior-level thinking, professional photography, strategy and execution with higher ROI, without the agency overheads.
Services included:
Monthly photography sessions
Weekly Reels (scripted or improv)
Custom captions and community management
Curated UGC & customer outreach
Event coverage
Influencer management
Monthly reports
Custom graphic design (additional fee)
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Upgrade your brand visuals with a customized studio shoot. I will style the scene to match your brand voice, preferred colors, mood, and composition. The only limit is your imagination.
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Perfect for any service industry or hospitality brand looking to enhance their marketing content with imagery that captures their establishment’s energy and entices would-be customers.
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Here, your product takes center stage, supported by elements that highlight its potential, demonstrate use cases, and amplify its desirability. Available in-studio or on location.
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Need some glossy content for the ‘Gram? Or maybe a content bank to help keep you posting consistently? I’ve got you covered! Options include:
• Planned shoots with a mix of styled visuals (dishes, drinks, staff, interior, etc.) for editorial and social media use.
• Planned shoots plus full-scale social media management services like strategy, community engagement, scheduling, and caption writing. -
Are you an editor or social media manager in need of imagery for an upcoming story?
Are you a business owner and a magazine is writing an article about your spot, but they’re asking for a picture to go with it and all you’ve got is library of hazy cell phone pics?
I can help! Based in San Diego, I am available for editorial shoots throughout Southern California.
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Throwing an event? Tell me what to focus on and I’ll show up to photograph all the candid shenanigans, smiling faces, and sloshing drinks. Let me worry about capturing the moment so you can stay present in it.
Stop…I’m blushing!
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Maya has been there since day one: photographing my food, hyping me up, and helping shape my vision when it was still very much a mess. She was the first person who ever photographed my food, and honestly the first person who made me feel confident sharing it. Every shoot with her feels easy, creative, and fun. Forever grateful for her eye and her support.
—Chef Mackenzie Elizabeth, San Diego personal chef
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“Maya's strong mix of creative and analytical mindsets, coupled with a playful disposition and engaging personality, was exactly the influence my team needed to take our marketing a game to the next level. She is a powerful communicator with skills and experience that transcended role she held as Social Media Manager for my annual conference, Tiki Kon.
—Greg Clapp, Sandy Bottom Productions
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“Maya is a sharp mind. I’ve worked with her for ten years and have always been glad to have her on board for a project. A talented storyteller and creative thinker, Maya also exudes a calm demeanor that’s ideal for juggling client demands, tight deadlines, and a commitment to great work. In short: you’re in good hands.
—Brian Barker, Former Senior Editor at SagaCity Media
About Maya Seaman
After I finished my Masters in Writing at Portland State University, I began working as a writer-editor for Saga City Media (publishers of Portland Monthly, Oregon Wine, and Travel Portland). Inspired by life at a magazine publisher, I picked up a camera and added visual storytelling to my wheelhouse, eagerly capturing all of Portland’s liquid color and local flavor.
What started as a hobby has now become a full-fledged business. After a decade of working in multimedia marketing spaces, I moved home to San Diego, pouring my lived professional experiences into my photography and social media management work at Maya Seaman Creative.
As a San Diego photographer, I focus on food and drink photography for restaurants, bars, the hospitality industry, and liquor brands, helping clients elevate their visual presence online and in print. Over the years, I’ve witnessed the shift in customer behavior—people are pickier about how they spend their time and money. They want to know before they go. People want intentional experiences with assured quality, ambience, menu options, and value (whatever that means to them).
By authentically showcasing what your business or product has to offer, I help you attract and retain new and repeat customers; they’ll feel confident in their choice to trust you because I focus on what makes your brand special. To learn more about how I can tell your story and boost your online presence, contact me.
