What began as a self-taught passion project in 2018 has become a full-time creative career for Waikato photographer Mariska Balvert. Her newest body of work, Delicate Details, reflects both motherhood and an eye for the small, intimate features that define early childhood. The Chatter catches up with Mariska:
Tell us about your background as a photographer.
I created MJ Photography back in 2018, after spending years teaching myself photography through my Nanas camera, online courses and years of playing around with editing platforms. In 2018 I started selling images that I had taken, I did not offer family photography until 2020.
It wasn’t until my son came along In 2024 I started turning my side business into my job to make a living for my family while still spending 80% of my time with them.
What subjects have you focused on?
Since my sons were born I shifted my focus from lifestyle photography – which felt like such a broad spectrum – to my new niche “Delicate Details”, a fine art style photography that brings me so much joy and captures so much in such a close up highly detailed photograph.
Tell us about your new work and what has inspired you .
Delicate Details came to me while working on farm, Now as a mum of two under two I am trying my hardest everyday to remember every single detail about my boys as they grow, just trying to keep them as babies for just a little bit longer,
This is a service designed to capture our children, the little things that we often overlook,
How soft their eyes are,
The way their baby rolls sit,
Their little mannerisms.
All the little things captured, up close, individually so we never have to regret not studying them closer.
Delicate Details is as the title says, Images of the delicate details, presented mainly in black and white to enhance the contours and bumps of the skin
How do you balance your photography with parenting and life on the farm ?
I absolutely love being able to stay home with my babies but still be able to work, I work primarily on farm during calving season, during calving season the weather isn’t great which means photography sessions slow down, the rest of the year I just offer help when required to my fiancé, Farm life with the boys feels seamless but I definitely couldn’t do it with out my wrap carrier, my photography is mainly edited at night when both boys are sleeping but also during independent play and daytime naps, I love the change in my day getting to do different things but also including my kids in every aspect of my life.
What services do you offer and who might be interested ?
My services include
– Delicate Details
this session is perfect for any family, generally younger kids who are constantly changing to capture all the small details but not limited to pets
-Family Photography
Perfect for all families, all generations and ages
– business advertisement
Great for all businesses big and small, digital or in store
-Maternity
Made for all expectant families
How do people get in touch
People can get in touch via my website https://mjwaikatophotography.mypixieset.com/ Via Facebook @MJwaikato
Or email [email protected]
