Makana Arvizu

Hi, I’m Makana—San Diego native, oldest of seven girls, wife, mama, and the heart behind Unposed Poppies.

My background? A degree in Business & Entrepreneurial Studies, years of experience in social media marketing, and a lifelong love for storytelling. But my passion for weddings? That came from something much closer to home.

Two of my sisters and I got married back to back (to back). Through our family's constant state of wedding planning, celebrating, and soaking in every emotion-filled moment, I fell in love with the joy and magic of weddings—the way your mom fixes your veil, the deep breath before walking down the aisle, the way your partner’s hands shake just a little when they reach for yours. Each of our wedding days seemed to pass in a beautiful, overwhelming blur, which is exactly why I do what I do. My goal is to capture the moments you felt—not just the big, beautiful highlights but the quiet, candid, blink-and-you-miss-it details.

When I'm not documenting or creating, I'm usually playing with my two toddlers somewhere sunny and warm, baking, or eating french fries with my husband. Some good fries can do wonders for the soul!

More than anything, this career has reminded me to slow down and be present in these moments, because they go by so quickly and I hope I can give that gift to you!

Our services

"Life is lived in the small, in-between moments."

The Unposed poppies

Philosophy

At Unposed Poppies, I believe the best moments are the ones you didn’t plan—the ones that unfold naturally, without a script.

My approach is simple: be present, not posed. Your wedding day should be lived—not watched through someone else’s phone screen or staged for a camera. I’m there to quietly blend in and capture it all as it actually happens—the laughter, the nerves, the unexpected glances and quiet in-betweens that you might’ve missed in the moment.

Everything is shot in a bright and airy style that fits right in with your photographer’s aesthetic—delivered fast, beautifully, and made for the way we share and save memories now.

Because your story is more than just a highlight reel. It’s real. And it deserves to be felt, again and again.

View the portfolio