How MAARS Photo Built a New Approach to Maternity Photography in Toronto

When Taya Maars started developing MAARS Photo, she was not trying to create another photography studio. She had become increasingly aware of how much work clients were expected to do before a maternity session even began.

Choosing an outfit, figuring out how to pose, preparing for the shoot and managing the details could turn what was supposed to be a meaningful experience into another task to organize. Taya believed there was a simpler way to approach it.

“I built MAARS because I was tired of clients showing up stressed about what to wear, how to pose, what to bring. You are pregnant. You should just show up and enjoy it. We handle everything else.”

That idea became the basis for MAARS Photo, a Toronto photography studio founded by Taya and Iryna Maars. Taya leads maternity, family and event photography, while Iryna brings 15 years of newborn photography experience. Together, they have built a business focused on documenting families through some of their most significant milestones.

Starting With What Clients Actually Needed

The studio's approach developed from paying attention to what clients were asking for rather than adding more complexity to the process.

“I figured out very quickly what my clients actually needed: a studio with outfits included, a simple booking process, and a style that was genuinely in demand. Once I understood that, I stopped overcomplicating everything and just focused on delivering exactly that, consistently.”

That thinking is reflected in the practical details of a MAARS maternity photography session. Studio use, maternity gowns, props, posing guidance, and creative direction are included, allowing clients to arrive without having to assemble those elements themselves.

Clients can browse the full wardrobe and studio setups before their appointment through maarsstudio.com. This gives them an opportunity to explore available gowns and visual options before deciding what fits the style they have in mind.

The private studio is located near Yorkdale Mall, with free parking and access from across Toronto and the GTA. The location was a deliberate choice. The founders wanted the studio to be easily reachable from Vaughan, Mississauga, Brampton, Markham, Etobicoke, and surrounding areas rather than being tucked away in one neighbourhood.

Today, MAARS Photo serves maternity clients traveling from communities throughout Toronto and the GTA for sessions designed around both convenience and creative variety.

A Wardrobe Built Around the Photography

The wardrobe has become a significant part of the studio's offering. In under two years Taya built one of the largest maternity wardrobe collections available at any private Toronto studio, more than 50 gowns spanning fitted silhouettes, flowing fabrics, liquid metal finishes, and sheer editorial styles. Every single one is available to clients at no additional charge.

Rather than asking clients to source their own clothing, the studio incorporates the wardrobe into the creative process. Clients can select their preferred looks before the session, giving the photographer an opportunity to plan the visual direction around them.

Among the studio's recognizable styles are Vogue-inspired black-background maternity portraits. The images are further developed through MAARS's Fine Arts editing process, which Taya describes as considerably more involved than applying a standard preset.

“Fine Arts editing is not a filter. It is hours of individual work on every single image. That is what makes our photos look the way they do, and that is the standard every final image has to meet before it leaves our studio.”

The editing approach contributes to the studio's visual identity while keeping the focus on the individual photograph and the person in it.

Two Photographers, Different Specialties

MAARS was founded by two photographers whose specialties complement one another. Taya focuses on maternity, family and event photography, while Iryna has spent 15 years specializing in newborn work.

That allows families to remain with the same studio as their circumstances change. A client might first book a maternity session with Taya and later return for newborn photographs with Iryna, followed by milestone or family sessions.

For Taya, maternity photography also carries a particular sense of urgency because pregnancy itself changes so quickly.

“The bump is gone in weeks. I have seen it happen over and over again. These photos will matter more than you think right now, and that is exactly why we do not cut corners on a single one.”

One Session, Multiple Creative Looks

A MAARS maternity session is designed to give clients more than one visual interpretation of their pregnancy. Instead of relying on a single outfit, background, or pose, the session combines wardrobe changes, different studio setups, professional posing guidance, and creative direction to build a varied collection of photographs.

The experience begins with selecting looks from the studio's maternity wardrobe. From there, Taya guides clients through posing, expression, body positioning, and movement. Clients do not need previous modeling experience or arrive knowing what to do in front of the camera. Direction is part of the session itself.

Different gowns and studio setups can then change the mood of the photographs. A dramatic editorial portrait against a dark background can be followed by a softer, more understated composition. Flowing fabric can create movement in one image, while a fitted gown can emphasize the shape of pregnancy in another. The goal is to create multiple distinct looks while keeping the experience cohesive and personal to the client.

That variety also means clients can explore styles they may not have considered before arriving at the studio. Rather than putting the responsibility for the final concept entirely on the client, MAARS treats the photographer as an active creative partner throughout the process.

For Taya, that guidance is central to what the studio was created to provide. The client brings the moment. The studio supplies the wardrobe, environment, posing, lighting, and creative direction needed to translate it into finished photographs.

The Details Behind The Client Experience

The studio's workflow extends beyond the photography itself. Clients receive a full proof gallery within 14 days, allowing them to review their photographs before selecting the images they want individually hand finished. Retouched images are then delivered within seven days of selection.

For the studio, the process is part of maintaining a consistent standard from the initial session through final delivery. Clients are able to review the complete proof gallery rather than being limited to choosing photographs from a restricted selection.

That approach reflects the practical idea behind MAARS from the beginning: remove as many unnecessary decisions and preparation requirements from the client as possible, then give the photographers room to concentrate on creating the images.

“We are not just taking photos. We are capturing something that is already disappearing, and we want every client to look back at these and feel exactly how beautiful they were in that moment.”

Explore The MAARS Maternity Experience

MAARS Photo serves families throughout Toronto and the GTA from its private studio near Yorkdale Mall. Its maternity photography remains at the center of the brand, supported by a dedicated wardrobe, professional posing and creative direction, multiple studio setups, specialized photographers, and an editing process designed to give each finished image individual attention.

For expecting parents considering maternity photography in Toronto, the studio's gown collection and available setups can be explored through maarsstudio.com before booking. More information about MAARS Photo and its photography sessions is available through maarsphoto.com. The studio is also on Instagram at @maarsphoto and on Google Reviews.