Behind the Lens
MORTEZA SAFATAJ
Co-founderDirector of Photography
Morteza Safataj is best known for his timeless, but unmistakably fresh, still shots and stunning, over-the-top films that draw inspiration from the beauty of nature. He has been honing his skills in wedding, fashion, and nature photography since 2006. Drawing on these backgrounds, Morteza blends his keen eye for capturing subjects in natural light with his ability to make his clients forget about the camera and simply exist in the moment to create intimate and artfully composed images that never come across as stuffy or posed.
His photos and films challenge the overly formal nature of traditional wedding photography—utilizing natural light and perspective to illuminate and preserve moments of your love story that even you didn’t catch during the whirlwind of your big day. What he loves most about shooting weddings is allowing his clients to see their big day through an artist’s eyes: “Angles and perspective are important to show the best of the couple and the scenery, but photography isn’t based on posing, it’s about preserving the emotions present in the moment.”
MARY SHEKARI
Chief Experience Officer (CXO)As a designer and passionate visual artist turned entrepreneur and marketing executive, Mary Shekari is a pixel-perfectionist who understands the importance of marrying the creative side of wedding photography and cinematography with the overall client experience. Having spent nearly two decades leading the creative teams for several Fortune 500 companies, Mary has developed a bold and sophisticated creative vision that supports and elevates the curated, boutique-style aesthetic of Said Yes Studios.
The biggest reward she finds working with couples on their big day reminds her of sorting through old photos from her wedding day, 20 years ago: “It’s so amazing every time you go back and look at the photos and see all the memories. You’re just so happy the photographer took the photos because there are so many things you don’t even remember. The day flies by, but the photos capture the moments you missed.”
EDDIE SHEKARI
Chief Business Officer (CBO)Eddie Shekari’s background is in business and technology, and with several successful companies currently under his operation, he provides a unique focus and insight to the Said Yes Studios team. His role involves staying up-to-date on the latest advances in technology to produce the highest quality photographs and ensuring all clients receive VIP treatment before, during, and after their big day—a testament to his passion for helping people run their lives more smoothly.
For Eddie, the most rewarding part of working in and around the wedding industry is being able to bear witness to one of the happiest moments in a person’s life and helping them preserve these happy memories for decades to come: “It’s like working in the baby wing of the hospital. You get to be there for the happiest day of someone’s life every single day.”