Maria-Warren-Tides-Studio-Founder-Brand-Web-Designer-for Photographers

Hi, I’m Maria

The designer, developer, and occasional toddler-choreographer behind Tides Studio.

I help photographers and creatives worldwide launch beautiful, strategic websites in weeks — not months.

Photos of me taken by my two year old ♡

A little about me

Hi again, I’m Maria—a Filipina brand and website designer working with photographers, creatives, and small business owners across the US, Australia, and beyond.

I’m fast, detail-obsessed, and allergic to dragging projects out longer than they need to be. My clients come to me because I combine speed, strategy, and clean design — and they stay because I make the process simple, collaborative, and dare I say… fun.

  • When I’m not designing, you’ll probably find me cuddling my son Matthew or my dog Tofu, walking just to listen to the wind and birds, or rewatching Friends, The Big Bang Theory, or Young Sheldon while answering emails. I love watercolor painting, and I have a habit of randomly skipping, singing, or breaking into dance mid-conversation. (I’ve been told it’s “very me.”)

A woman with dark hair standing at the beach, stretching her arms above her head, wearing a sleeveless top and patterned shorts.

Behind the name

Tides Studio was born during one of the roughest seasons of my life — a mix of small highs and a lot of lows. Everything felt uncertain, and it took a lot of grit (and coffee) to keep going.

The name comes from the idea that life moves in tides. Sometimes things rise, sometimes they crash, but both are part of the same cycle. That season shaped the way I work now: adaptable, steady, and committed to helping others create something solid to stand on — no matter what stage they’re in.

A person arranging dried plant stems in a brown vase on a marble table.

My approach

Design is more than how it looks — it’s how it works for you.

Here’s what you can expect:

Strategy First

We get clear on your goals, audience, and must-haves before I touch a single pixel.

Design + Build Together

Your site is designed and developed in real time.

Training + Support

Know exactly how to run your site — plus 30 days of support.

My process blends strategy, design, and development into one seamless experience so you’re never stuck managing a game of designer–developer telephone.

Living room with a beige sofa, a small round coffee table with decorative objects, and a person blurred in motion near the background.

Why work with Tides Studio

Most designers will give you something that looks good.

I make sure it works just as well as it looks — and that you can run it yourself without a long-term retainer.

Here’s what my clients tell me they value most:

This isn’t just about a website or brand — it’s about giving you the tools, confidence, and strategy to move forward.

  • Project wraps in weeks, not months, without cutting corners.

  • I’m your designer, developer, and strategist in one. No handoffs, no miscommunication.

  • You see the site take shape in real time, with clear check-ins at every step.

  • Full training, 30 days of support, and a build you actually understand.

Whether you’re building from scratch or upgrading what’s already there...

 I’ll help you move forward with clarity and confidence.♡