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A woman with long dark hair makes a face with her hands on her cheeks, pouting and her eyes wide open, in front of a background of cloth. photo taken inside a photobooth in new york city

I'm Manuela Montañez, a Colombian creative calling Brooklyn, NY home, and the founder of asukkar – a visual laboratory dedicated to observing and capturing the profound beauty of your family's story through beautiful lifestyle photography.

With a heart that understands the wonder of parenthood, the tenderness of caregiving, and the importance of our personal histories, I've built asukkar to truly see and celebrate your unique journey.

Through my lens, we'll collaborate to capture the authentic moments of your life with heartfelt detail, crafting timeless images you'll cherish forever.

Hello!

Print of photo of a young girl smiling and preschool-aged, wearing a colorful t-shirt and jeans, standing near an adult holding his hand; the girl has a backpack, lying on a desk with a leather-bound book and a landline phone visible.
  • A mother breastfeeding a newborn baby while sitting on a brown sofa
  • A black and white photo of an intimate moment between a mother and her toddler, both lying on a bed in a sunlit room. The toddler is breastfedding, they share a close, tender moment.
  • A newborn baby with a cap, breastfeeding while lying on their mother's chest, with a bucket holding a placenta in the background.

Book now

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Book now ⋆

Book Session
Book Session

Testimonials

  • A mother and a young girl laughing and playing outdoors on a sunny day in the botanical garden in New York, with a greenhouse and trees in the background.

    "Since my daughter was only 6 months old, we have done three family sessions with Manuela, and each one has been a beautiful experience. She has a very special chemistry with my daughter; it's incredible how she manages to make her feel comfortable, laugh, play, and be herself in front of the camera. Her photos are a treasure for us, they show the beauty of the everyday with tenderness and sensitivity. Each session has captured a different stage of our family, and watching her grow through her eyes has been wonderful."

    Alicia Ferreira

  • Black and white portrait of a pregnant woman who is a breast cancer survivor with one arm covering covering her face, standing against a plain light background. Her scars are visible across her body

    "If you're looking for a photographer who truly connects with you and your family, look no further than Manu. Her warmth and genuine interest made the entire process feel effortless, like talking to a close friend. But the photographs... they are simply stunning. Seeing them brought tears to my eyes. Manu doesn't just take pictures; she captures the soul of your story, revealing layers of emotion and significance. Her talent is truly exceptional."

    Monica

  • A mother breastfeeding her newborn baby on a couch in a cozy living room in New York City

    We had never done a photo shoot for our family before. We’re a bit shy and were worried it wouldn’t feel natural — that we’d end up looking stiff and awkward. But the session with Manu was so calm and fun that all of us, including our little kids, felt totally at ease, just like in our everyday routine. The photos turned out beautiful — a true reflection of who we are.

    Paula Maria

  • Portrait of a young african american mother with curly hair smiling, wearing a purple long-sleeve shirt, tan overalls, and colorful necklaces, sitting indoors with sunlight casting shadows on the wall behind her.

    Manuela has helped me bring several projects to life—projects centered around motherhood and my work as a doula. Working with her has always been a wonderful experience because she knows exactly how to translate my ideas and vision through the lens of her camera. I’ve truly appreciated her understanding of the complexity, sensitivity, and vulnerability that come with pregnancy, birth, postpartum, and motherhood in general, as well as her creative input, professionalism, and flexibility. She’s also been incredibly kind and patient with my little ones, who were sometimes also involved in the shoots.

    Neram Nimindé

  • Pregnant woman with short dark hair, tattoos on her arms and drawings painted on her belly, wearing a black tank top and underwear, standing against a peach-colored background.

    Being photgraphed by Manu felt so comfortable and natural, she helped me bring out this power and beauty I felt while being pregnant with my first baby. Those photos are memories I will always cherish.

    Alejandra Hernandez