Maria Hey Photography

10/08/2025

https://www.instagram.com/p/DPiPz5iDcQw/?img_index=4&igsh=MTFob3p3MWowaWt0NQ==

06/29/2025

🔥 Lions of Liwonde | Malawi 🇲🇼
During the peak of the dry season, with temps soaring over 100°F and the land parched and bare, I had the unforgettable opportunity to photograph lions in Liwonde National Park. With vegetation sparse and water sources limited, the wildlife naturally gravitated toward the Shire River, where we were based at the beautiful Mvuu Lodge. Thanks to the expert guidance of none other than “King” David, my guide from Central African Wilderness Safaris, we were able to track and observe these majestic cats in their natural habitat, up close and undisturbed. The dry season might be harsh, but it offers a spectacular window into wildlife behavior, as animals concentrate near the riverbanks, making sightings not just possible but breathtaking. Swipe through the gallery for some of my favorite lion shots from this extraordinary adventure. 🦁📸

06/18/2025

After hours of hiking straight up the mountains of Bwindi Impenetrable Forest, I was rewarded with one of the most thrilling hours of my life—sitting quietly among a wild family of mountain gorillas. 🦍 Surreal, humbling, and unforgettable.
These majestic creatures are protected daily by a dedicated team of naturalists who shadow the gorilla family from dusk to dawn, tracking their movements and ensuring their safety. They climb up the mountain to share their space in peaceful observation, and what a beautiful way to protect such a rare species.

06/06/2025

✨ Meet Tyramike ✨
She was born with albinism, lives in poverty, and has spent her life protecting herself from harmful superstitions. But her story is changing — and it starts with light.
💡 How?
We trained Tyramike to become a financial literacy trainer — not just to teach others, but to believe in her own future. She now earns a living, is saving money, and for the first time, she’s dreaming big. Her goal? To become a seamstress. 🧵💭
🔆 What made this possible?
A Watts of Love solar light.
Something so simple is unlocking possibility — letting her work, learn, and plan after dark, and giving her the power to see a brighter path forward.
This is what transformation looks like.

03/26/2025

03/25/2025

12/26/2024

Merry Christmas from the Hey family! 🎄🎁

12/06/2024

It’s been years since I last stood on the shores of Port Aransas, Texas, and today, in the cold drizzle, it feels like coming home. The off-season might lack sunshine, but it’s my favorite time to be here—quiet, raw, and alive with the sound of waves and the cries of birds.
This morning, I captured gulls against the rising tide, their effortless movements a reminder of the beauty in simplicity. The coast never fails to inspire me, and even after all this time, it still feels like it’s been waiting for me.

05/31/2024

https://2024zambiagttseptember.funraise.org/fundraiser/maria-hey

Hey everyone, I'm thrilled to announce that my cousin, Marlene Guinchard, and I will travel to Zambia with Watts of Love in September. Our mission is to provide solar lights and financial literacy training to those without electricity. With your support, we can make a real difference in ending generational poverty, one family at a time. All donations will go directly towards providing solar lights and financial literacy training. Every contribution, no matter how small, will make a meaningful impact. We truly appreciate your help in making distribution a success.

04/22/2024

Putting my photos from Africa to good use.