Maya Delaney - Ocean Sustainability Consultant
Elegant, authentic brand portraits for ocean sustainability consultant Maya Delaney
Originally from The Bahamas and now based in London, Maya works at the intersection of finance, climate action and ocean conservation. Through her work in impact investing, she focuses on supporting solutions that protect marine ecosystems, strengthen coastal communities and build long-term resilience in the face of climate change.
As Maya began shaping the next chapter of her career, she realised she needed more than an updated LinkedIn headshot. Her existing images felt outdated and no longer reflected who she was or how she wanted to show up professionally.
This became an opportunity to intentionally build a personal brand rooted in expertise, authenticity and presence.
One of the conversations that stayed with me throughout the planning process was Maya's desire to be seen as both credible and deeply herself. Working within elite finance and investment spaces, she was conscious of the expectations often placed on women, particularly Black women, in positions of expertise.
While she wanted her portraits to feel refined, elegant and professional, she was equally clear that she didn't want to disappear behind a corporate uniform or a serious expression.
Together, we created a series of personal brand portraits in London that felt calm, thoughtful and grounded. Drawing on Maya's love of simplicity, natural light and meaningful details, the session combined authentic lifestyle portraits with more polished editorial imagery.
Her carefully chosen monochrome outfits exuded the refined elegance Maya wanted, and we managed to get some great poses in front of a beautiful piece of artwork, as well as making the most of the outdoor space, which captured her quest for stillness in nature.
Like many people I photograph, Maya arrived with a little uncertainty about being in front of the camera. But through a collaborative planning process, thoughtful location choices and plenty of conversation along the way, the experience became something very different from the exhausting cycle of hoping for "one good photo" that she had experienced before.
"Celie is phenomenal. When I first stumbled across her portfolio, I immediately felt that you could truly see each individual for their true self.
“Booking a portrait session with her made clear how that authenticity happens: she eagerly took the time to learn about me as a person, my passions, and my ambitions.
The session itself was a joy. Celie has a remarkable ability to make you feel at ease instantly, balancing her sharp eye for flattering angles and movements with a real attentiveness to what feels natural and comfortable. The result is a set of portraits I'm proud of and so excited to use as I launch my company."
— Maya Delaney, Ocean Sustainability Consultant
What I love most about these images is that they don't ask Maya to choose between professionalism and personality. They make space for both.
And the result is a gallery of powerful, authentic personal brand photography that reflects not just what Maya does, but the values, experiences and sense of purpose that drive her work.
Step into the next phase of your work with photos that create connection and get you booked for the work you love. Book a call and let’s get started.
