Aloha,
I'm Onyay
Portrait Photographer
I love the moment when someone feels comfortable enough to show who they really are. The laugh that comes from their whole body. The spark in their eyes when they feel understood. The way a couple relaxes into each other once they feel connected and the space is truly theirs. Creating that kind of comfort and play, where people feel welcomed, supported and free to be themselves, is the heart of my work.
I was based in Los Angeles for twenty-five years and spent many years performing around the world as an actress and performing & recording artist. I have sung and played violin around the world for audiences of every size. Years in front of the camera taught me how vulnerable it can feel to be seen and how much easier it becomes when someone helps you feel supported and free to play. That experience shaped the way I guide people during sessions.
Alongside my creative life, I have spent more than twenty years guiding thousands of clients through breathwork, somatic work, emotional release, relationship healing, intuitive connection and powerful seasons of personal transformation. I have worked in countries across the globe, holding people through life transitions, heartbreak, relationship challenges, renewal and moments that reshape identity. That work taught me how to meet people where they are with clarity, warmth and presence. Photography became a natural extension of all of this. A place where expression, confidence and personal truth can unfold.
When I lived in Bali in 2019, I began blending my transformational work with portrait photography
so clients could feel relaxed, open and fully themselves on camera.
That is how The Universe Inside You Photography began.
My gift lives in the way I tune into you. I create the space for your energy, your comfort, your humor and the way you express yourself when you feel at ease to be free. I guide you in ways that bring out your personality, your warmth and the parts of you that deserve to be celebrated. Whether you come for a joyful photoshoot, a couples experience or a deeper transformational retreat, the intention is clear. For you to feel seen, supported and free to express who you are in this moment of your life. I also love helping couples cherish each other in ways that feel authentic and intimate so your connection becomes the center of the experience.
My approach
Working with me feels like dropping into a space where all of you is welcome. I tune into you the moment we meet. I read your energy, your rhythm, your humor, your tenderness, who you show the world and the parts of you that need encouragement to express. From there I guide you with playful prompts that help you loosen up, laugh, soften, and become more expressive than you expected. The bold. The gentle. The fiery. The silly. The soulful. And the parts of you that rarely get invited to shine.
For couples, our time together becomes a shared experience that feels like connection in motion. You explore each other with fresh eyes. You follow simple, heartfelt prompts that open new doors and spark real closeness. You fall into moments that feel unscripted and full of life. You hold each other. You play. You remember why your love feels special. Many couples tell me it feels like the best date of their trip.
My clients describe this work as freeing, comforting, uplifting, and surprisingly healing. The camera disappears and what remains is presence, connection, and the truth of who you are.
Kind words from
Olivia
Onyay is so much more than a photographer! She has this unique ability to peek into your soul and bring out your true essence in photos. I wanted new lifestyle shots for my website and social media, and they turned out to be better than I could have ever expected!
We shot on the beach at sunrise, which in and of itself is beautiful and captivating, but Onyay knew the exact angles, lighting, and has that creative eye to capture that perfect image. In my opinion, a photographer’s energy is equally as important as his or her photography and editing skills. Photoshoots tend to get exhausting at times, but Onyay’s spirit is so uplifting! I fed off her enthusiasm the whole time. It’s truly impossible not to smile around her.
From start to finish, the entire experience was magical, and I’m so pleased with how the photos turned out. She’s a true master of her craft! I highly recommend her if you’re in need of lifestyle images or headshots.”
~Olivia
Let’s work together
