Hi there!

My full name is Mai’a Papaya Banana Fruit Salad, but my friends usually just sniff my butt or call me Mai’a.

I’m the original muse behind The Pet Narrative—and the dog who inspired a lifelong career in pet photography. Once upon a time, every photo in this family was of me (as it should be). Today, that love has grown into a Santa Barbara pet photography experience celebrating dogs and the people who adore them.

Then along came my human baby sister.

We became inseparable, and our photographer mom couldn’t resist capturing every moment. Those early images of our bond helped shape the heart behind The Pet Narrative: celebrating the connection between pets and the people who love them.

Our mom is pretty cool too.

Our mom is pretty cool too. Her name is Michelle, and she’s the one behind the camera capturing all the magic. She loves photographing pets and their wildly unique personalities, from soulful stares to goofy grins to full-on treat-catching acrobatics.

While every pet portrait celebrates who they are, she believes the love we share with our animals is what makes these images truly meaningful. She loves meeting new pets (and their humans), creating fun, personality-filled pet photography experiences, and turning those moments into memories you’ll treasure for years to come. If your furry friend owns a very large piece of your heart, you should absolutely reach out. Because the memories are pretty special (and the photoshoots are a lot of fun too!) 🐾✨