Before becoming a professional photographer, Maria Soto had a 35-year career in local government. Her knowledge of photography is both self-taught and from photography courses taken at community colleges. She is an avid photographer and is drawn to landscapes and architecture, and has always had the eye for capturing life on film. As a black and white film photographer, she worked in a darkroom for six years but now is strictly digital. She pursued her career as a professional photographer and has exhibited her photography in galleries in Northern California since 2003. She has appeared in numerous juried shows in Sacramento and Placer counties. In addition to her photography, Maria has since expanded her artistic horizons and is painting in acrylic, watercolor, creating Sumi ink paintings, and working in mixed media. Maria was born and raised in California and has lived in Sacramento since 1968. After 15 years of marriage, she became a single mother raising two sons. They, in turn, have given her three beautiful grandchildren who are now grown and are all artists in music, theater arts, photography, and videography. Maria's website www.MariaSotoPhotography.com features her black and white and color photos from California, Oregon, Washington, Hawaii, Europe, and more. Her Facebook page www.Facebook.com/MariaSotoArt also showcases her artwork.
