Shutter & Soul

Solei Photography

If you’re new here hello I’m happy to unofficially meet you! If you are returning welcome to the rebranding of Solei. If you have seen my old website the about me tab was pretty surface level knowledge. Through this journey I’ve come to realize this is a much more intimate experience. My clients share bits & pieces of your lives. I find it comforting that this way I get to share the same with all of you.

My Name is Mercedez. Owner & Head Photographer of Solei Photography. To answer everyones favorite question: How did you get into photography? In 2014 I lost my Nana. The Queen Creative in my life was no longer present & the loss was hard to navigate through. I took up multiple jobs & hobbies to cope with the loss but it was no avail. I needed something that would ignite creativity & I took up photography. Being 18 at the time photography helped me navigate through loss and self love through creating. I spent several years doubling as a plus size model & a photographer and the two together built the creative before you today.

Today I’ve had the honor of helping you with business projects, motherhood, travel, milestones, firsts, fears, unions, history, movements, and love. Ive fallen in love with the view on the other side of my lens time & time again. I’ve had the privilege of honoring my Nana’s memory in these sets & experiences and its amazing to share a part of her with all of you.

As a woman & as photographer the growth this career has brought me constantly brings me to tears. The relationships that I've built here with you are irreplaceable. Thank you for many beautiful years of growth, love & creation. You’ve seen Solei navigate through offering a body diverse client closet, being a traveling photographer, and bringing High Fashion / Avant-Garde concepts to Hawaii.

Thank you for being here, and for sharing this crazy creative journey.

With Love,

Solei Photography- Mercedez

TESTIMONIALS

“Cedez is Amazing! Talented, creative and won’t forget to mention her Patience! It was our first time taking pictures with our fur babies and although I was having a bad time, she managed to make the session pleasant. My husband & I loved how our pictures turned out and the moments she captured. Excellent service & great person to work with, can’t wait for my maternity session next!” — Brenda E.
“Mercedez is truly an outstanding photographer. She made the entire experience comfortable, easy, and fun. She really listens to what you want & goes above and beyond. Her passion and love for photography really shows in her photos. They say a picture is worth a thousand words but her pictures will leave you speechless” — Lyann L.
“To be 100% transparent, I’ve never been one to fully embrace my own beautiful imperfections but would wade through oceans in complete awe of others. I saw myself as nothing more than average; a stick figure in a museum of master pieces, if you will. Seeing beauty within myself was nothing more than a figment of my imagination, that is until I got to see myself through the lenses of Mercedez’s masterful artwork. Through years of growth together, her art has helped me fall in love with myself - every scar, every dimple, every inch of myself that I saw as flawed. To have the gift of empowering other women & men alike to love themselves a little more by allowing you to see yourself through her eyes is one that I will always admire. Forever grateful for you & your impact on this chaotic world” — Brandi Y.
“From high school to adulthood, Mama Cedez has always taken care of me. Seeing her grow & blossom into the photographer + entrepreneur has been so rewarding. I’ve booked her for personal photoshoots &business because she’s just that good. This woman can do everything under the sun with a camera. Each shoot is definitely an experience & more than just taking pictures. Mercedez has a way of bringing life into each & every frame. She will definitely go above and above and beyond to make YOU feel like a star. Ex: there was one shoot I did with a bunch of girlfriends. Everything was going wrong for them. She hated her hair & didn’t feel prepared & felt ugly in general. After expressing this in the group chat, she really didn’t want to shoot.. In comes Mercedez saving the day. A whole wardrobe + props were provided at the shoot & I witnessed my best friend coming out of her shell. It was beautiful & Mercedez was able to capture the joy in that set. Regarding her commercial business shoots, let’s just say after updating our old pictures on the site with hers, sales went up by 70%. People really do shop with their eyes first. She also brought props of her own. Her creative mind is genius & the proof is in the profit. Mercedez is a wonderful person to work with for any type of shoot. Her professionalism paired with her customer service is top tier. As I stated before, it’s more than just taking pictures. She truly provides the best customer service & an experience you won’t forget. This woman is bound to go places so I suggest you book her before she blows up” — Mariana T.
"Mercedez is an absolute dream to work with as a photographer! I’m lucky that our relationship of model and photographer has blossomed into a friendship. From day one she has made me feel confident, beautiful, and valued. Her and I have created a lot of firsts in my career. She was the first person to shoot my puppy, my first magazine publish, and most recently my first boudoir shoot. I trust her with my whole heart, and she has never done anything that has not exceeded my every expectation. She is amazing at helping to pose (men and women) and is always ready to help create your dream shoot. If you are looking for a caring, genuine, and all around one of a kind photographer, look no farther. Mercedez is talented all around, and will make you feel just as special as she is!" - Sienna D