Meet Tanya Parada | Wedding & Event Photographer

We had the good fortune of connecting with Tanya Parada and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Tanya, how has your perspective on work-life balance evolved over time?
Work-life balance has always been a challenge for me—especially as a creative with ADHD and a steady undercurrent of imposter syndrome. I’ve often questioned whether I’m doing enough—not just in work, but in life. It used to feel like I was constantly playing catch-up with some invisible benchmark I’d set for myself.

But becoming a mom changed everything. It forced me to confront the way I was working and living, and ask myself what really mattered. I couldn’t pour everything into work anymore, and truthfully—I didn’t want to. My daughter became the grounding point that helped me redefine what balance actually looks like.

Now, I’m less focused on chasing perfection, and more intentional about nurturing my inner strengths—being resilient, being present, letting go of what I can’t control.

Let’s talk shop? Tell us more about your career, what can you share with our community?
What I’m most proud of is how much I care—about the people I photograph, their experience with me, and how they feel in front of the camera. I truly believe everyone is beautiful, and I want my clients to feel that way during their time with me—confident, seen, and valued. I think that’s what sets me apart. My heart is fully in this, and I care deeply—not just about the final image, but about how someone feels during the process. I want to bring out the best in people, to help them feel loved and safe. And if that means putting my camera down to listen or lend a hand in another way, I’ll do it without hesitation. I want people to feel like I’m more than just their photographer—I’m their ally, their hype woman, sometimes even their temporary bridesmaid or best friend.

Getting to where I am now hasn’t been easy. This industry requires constant pivoting, and that’s something I’ve had to learn to lean into. It can be really uncomfortable to evolve—to admit you’re outgrowing certain ways of doing things or that something isn’t working anymore. But the only way to grow is to move through that discomfort. I’ve had to keep showing up, even when I felt unsure or overwhelmed. The biggest lesson for me has been learning to embrace change—both in the industry and in myself—and to keep striving to improve: as an artist, as a business owner, and as a person who’s creating a meaningful experience for others.

At the end of the day, I hope people know that my work is about more than just beautiful photos—it’s about people. It’s about connection. It’s about making someone feel like they matter. That’s the heart of everything I do.

Let’s say your best friend was visiting the area and you wanted to show them the best time ever. Where would you take them? Give us a little itinerary – say it was a week long trip, where would you eat, drink, visit, hang out, etc.
If my best friend was visiting for the week, we’d do a little bit of everything—some beach, some food adventures, and some slower moments in between to just take it all in.

We’d probably start with breakfast at Great White in Venice or Bluey’s in Santa Monica—casual, good energy, and close to the ocean. Then maybe spend the morning walking the beach, toes in the sand, iced coffee in hand. I love a low-key hike in the Malibu hills followed by a picnic with a view—some wine, snacks, and the kind of catch-up that only happens when you’re nowhere in a rush.

We’d hit the Fairfax Flea Market on Sunday, and maybe Smorgasburg for some street food and people-watching. At least one night would be dedicated to finding a hidden dinner pop-up or a speakeasy with great cocktails and live music—something that feels a little secret, a little special.

Dinner at Birdie G’s or a classic night out at Musso & Frank in Hollywood would be a must—somewhere with a story and great food to go with it. And I always love wandering around the Arts District for a kind of self-guided art and coffee tour—there’s so much texture and creativity in that part of the city.

But honestly? The best night might be the most simple: dinner at our place. My husband spinning vinyl, our daughter pulling someone into a game of Barbies, takeout from our favorite sushi or Vietnamese spot, and me playing bartender in our kitchen. That’s where the good conversations happen. That’s the heart of it.

The Shoutout series is all about recognizing that our success and where we are in life is at least somewhat thanks to the efforts, support, mentorship, love and encouragement of others. So is there someone that you want to dedicate your shoutout to?
My mom, without question. From the very beginning of my photography journey, she’s been right there cheering me on. In those early days, she would assist me at weddings—helping carry gear, making sure I ate, and reminding me to take care of myself when I was too caught up in the day to notice.

She always made me feel like I was capable, even when I’d walk away from a shoot questioning everything. I still remember how she’d keep a little notebook filled with “photo-worthy spots” she found around town—just in case I needed location ideas for clients. That kind of support meant everything when I was starting out and trying to find my footing.

To this day, she’s still my biggest fan—both in real life and in the comment section. Her belief in me has helped me believe in myself.

Website: https://paradastudio.com/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/paradastudio/

Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/tanya-parada-43527319a/