The face behind Kamalani Photography
Welcome! I am Sophia Kamalani Marino
My love for photography started when I got my first iPod Touch — I was hooked on capturing little moments around me. When I was 16, my parents gave me a second-hand camera for Christmas, and I’ve been chasing light and memories ever since.
I earned my degree in Photography (with a Minor in Environmental Sustainability) from Northern Arizona University in 2023. I even had the chance to study abroad in Germany, diving into positive psychology, conservation, and a lot of photo adventures.
After college, I worked as a photographer at a doggy daycare, capturing fun and candid moments of the dogs in action. It taught me how to work quickly, think creatively, and find joy in spontaneous, playful moments through my lens.
I later interned at the Waipa Foundation, where I helped grow eco-cultural tours, worked with native plants, and photographed the amazing work being done there.
Today, I’m a high school photography teacher living in a small, remote town in California. Teaching young photographers keeps me inspired — and outside of school, I’m busy photographing graduations, events, portraits, and my travels. I’m always exploring, learning, and finding new ways to tell powerful stories through my lens.
Photography isn’t just about taking pictures — it’s about capturing the moments that matter most. I’d be honored to help you tell your story. Let’s create something unforgettable together.