Mauricio Zelaya is a New York City–based fashion photographer.

His practice spans commercial and personal projects across galleries, designers, and brands, working at the intersection of fashion, art, and production.

A graduate of the Fashion Institute of Technology with a BFA in Photography and Related Media, Zelaya centers his work on portraiture that feels intimate, observational, and quietly charged—often capturing subjects in moments of pause rather than performance.

Focusing on minimal setups, controlled lighting, and neutral environments, his images explore the subtle space between control and spontaneity, where gesture, mood, and identity quietly unfold. His work emphasizes softness, quiet masculinity, and the in-between moments where individuality surfaces without spectacle, creating a restrained and intentional visual language.