Asheville, North Carolina
Hearth & Lens captures weddings and family sessions in the Blue Ridge Mountains with warm natural light, honest emotion, and a handmade feel that lasts a lifetime.
No stiff poses. No over-editing. Just you, the people you love, and the mountains you call home.
Most Loved Sessions
Full-day coverage of your wedding day, told through warm, candid storytelling. From quiet morning preparations to the last dance under the stars, every chapter is captured with care and intention.
Starting at $2,200
Mountain meadows, forest trails, and golden-hour fields make the most honest backdrop for your family. These sessions are relaxed and playful — kids are free to run, laugh, and just be kids.
Starting at $395
Celebrate your love story before the big day with a relaxed couples session in the Blue Ridge. We'll find a spot that feels like you — a waterfall, a wildflower field, or a tucked-away trail at dusk.
Starting at $475
The Photographer
I've spent the last five years photographing weddings and families across the Blue Ridge Mountains — and honestly, I still get butterflies before every session. For me, photography has never been about perfection. It's about catching the moment just before the laugh breaks, or the way a parent looks at their child when they think no one is watching. Those are the images that end up on your wall for decades.
Based right here in Asheville, I'm a part of this community in the truest sense. I hike these trails on my days off, I know the golden-hour spots that nobody else does, and I genuinely love the mountain-minded couples and families who call this place home. When you book with Hearth & Lens, you're not hiring a vendor — you're inviting a friend with a camera.
My style is rooted in natural light, real texture, and honest emotion. I don't believe in over-directing or over-editing. I want your photos to look like you — just the best, most radiant version of you, in a place you love, on a day that mattered. Rustic doesn't mean rough. It means authentic, handcrafted, and full of warmth.
I keep my calendar intentionally small so every client gets my full attention. If you're drawn to cozy cabins, wildflower fields, and photos that feel like a deep breath — I think we'll get along just fine. I'd love to hear about your day and see if we're a good fit.
"I want your photos to feel like a deep breath — warm, honest, and entirely yours."
— Mara L. Wren, Hearth & Lens
Sessions & Packages
Elopement Package
Up to 3 hours, 1 location, 150+ edited images. Perfect for intimate mountain ceremonies with just the two of you.
$950
Half-Day Coverage
6 hours of coverage, ceremony through first dances. Includes 350+ edited images and a private online gallery.
$1,600
Full-Day Story
Up to 10 hours, from getting-ready through reception exit. 500+ images, engagement mini-session included.
$2,800
Second Shooter Add-On
A trusted second photographer to capture moments simultaneously from a different perspective.
+$400
Mini Session
30 minutes, 1 location, 25 hand-edited images. Great for holiday cards or a quick annual update.
$195
Signature Family Session
1.5 hours at your chosen mountain location. 60+ edited images, relaxed and unscripted — just real life.
$395
Extended Family Session
2.5 hours for large groups, multiple family units, or those who like to take their time. 90+ images included.
$575
Newborn at Home
In-home lifestyle session for your new arrival. Natural light, cozy textures, your real space — no studio.
$450
Golden Hour Mini
45 minutes at sunset, 1 location, 30 edited images. The mountain light at dusk is pure magic — don't miss it.
$275
Engagement Session
1.5 hours at your favorite Blue Ridge spot. Included with Full-Day Wedding or available standalone. 75+ images.
$475
Anniversary Session
Celebrate a milestone with a 2-hour session in the mountains. Romantic, unhurried, and built around you two.
$520
Print Collection Add-On
A curated set of 10 fine-art prints, hand-selected by Mara and printed on archival matte paper. Heirloom quality.
+$180
The Work
Blue Ridge at golden hour — wedding exit, Asheville 2023
Bridal portrait in barn doorway, natural light only
Family of four in a wildflower meadow, late September
Groom's candid moment before the ceremony, Weaverville farm
Autumn engagement session, Black Balsam Knob trail
Sunday morning at home — newborn lifestyle session
Kind Words
★★★★★
"We had our wedding at a small farm outside Asheville in October, and Mara was absolutely incredible. She caught moments I didn't even know were happening — my dad tearing up when I walked out, my husband's laugh when I tripped on a root. We've looked at those photos every single anniversary. She has a gift for making you feel completely at ease the moment she arrives."
Claire & Jonas Whitfield
Married in Weaverville, NC — October 2023
★★★★★
"I was nervous about family photos because my kids are 3 and 6 and basically refuse to cooperate with anything. Mara immediately got down on their level, let them run around, and somehow captured the most stunning, genuine images of our family I have ever seen. The golden-hour light on the trail she chose was breathtaking. These photos live on our living room wall now."
Dana Okafor
Family session, Bent Creek Trail — July 2023
★★★★★
"We booked Mara for our engagement session at Black Balsam in late September and honestly it was the most fun two hours I've had in ages. She knew exactly when the light was going to be perfect and walked us out to a spot that took our breath away. The photos look like something out of a magazine, except it's just us being us. We can't wait for her to shoot our wedding next fall."
Priya & Sam Delacroix
Engagement session, Black Balsam — September 2023
Find Me
Sessions are scheduled outside studio hours as well — reach out to discuss availability.
Hearth & Lens Photography
Asheville, NC
Asheville, NC
Blue Ridge Mountains
Serving Asheville and surrounding areas including Black Mountain, Weaverville, Brevard, and beyond.
Sessions take place on location — no physical studio needed. I come to you.
Let's Connect
I keep my calendar small and intentional, so spots fill up fast — especially in fall. Drop me a note and I'll be in touch within 48 hours to talk through your vision.