I'm Daniel Mareno, a queer photographer based in California.

For me, photography is more than capturing a moment — it’s about telling stories. Whether I’m shooting fashion, portraits, or editorial work, I strive to create images that are both striking and honest. My Scandinavian background blends minimalism with bold color and energy, reflecting the tension between stillness and intensity.

My first exhibit «Kalender» was showcased in DTLA by Flames and Ashes Creative in February 2022 and featured 12 unique talents from Los Angeles and beyond, combining zodiac signs, personalities and locations dedicated to each month of the year. «Damene» (2023) was my first solo exhibit, which was on display in my hometown of Sarpsborg, Norway. «Damene» is photography series telling the story of the strong and inspiring  women related to Inger Mary Gabrielsen, my grandma, who was just six years when Norway got occupied during WW2. Her life and story inspired multiple generations to come, and is a beautiful piece of local history told through classic black and white imagery.

Today I spend most of my time between the San Francisco Bay Area, Los Angeles and Oslo, and I’m open to exciting projects worldwide. I started taking pictures at a young age and was always eager to capture the moments and places around me. By 16, I started taking photography classes and attended Glemmen Upper Secondary School of Media and Communication in Fredrikstad, Norway, before studying at the Oslo School of Architecture and Design. In 2020, I relocated to Los Angeles from Norway with my husband, Noah. A global pandemic and two years later, I graduated with an AA in Fine Art Photography from the College of the Canyons, before completing an internship at a world-renowned photography studio in West Hollywood.

In a world of rapid change and artificial intelligence, authenticity and individuality is more important than ever before. Crafted with intention and captured with impact, my images stand out both on print, in your feed and on the wall. I believe photography can challenge norms and give space to voices that deserve to be seen. My work has been published in Flaunt Magazine, Elle UK, Vogue Italia, Vulkan Magazine, Cherrydeck, Marika Media, Norwegian news outlets and Xpedition Magazine Dubai.



Every shoot is a meeting of energy, style, and story — let's connect today!