Mario Valdes

west oakland/Bay Area-based  Photographer

Waterfall cascading down a lush green forested hillside with a person standing on a rock near the waterfall.
A woman lies in bed holding a black dog, in a wooden cabin room overlooking a mountain landscape through a large window.
A modern architectural building with curved, rib-like exterior design and a flock of birds flying above it.
A busy city street with tall modern buildings, pedestrians crossing, cars, and steam rising from a vent, with birds flying in the sky.
Night street scene in Japan with illuminated signs, lanterns, and people walking, including signs for restaurants, pubs, and hotels.
A traditional Japanese temple surrounded by trees with autumn foliage, a stone pagoda to the right, and a cityscape in the background under a cloudy sky.
A black Toyota car driving on a winding road during sunset with the sun low in the sky, casting a warm glow.
A black car driving on a winding mountain road at sunset, with trees and a view of a valley in the background.
Two surfers walking along the shoreline at the beach, carrying surfboards. The beach has wet sand with footprints and gentle ocean waves.
A performer playing an acoustic guitar and singing into a microphone on stage, illuminated by a spotlight in a dark venue.
A family enjoying outdoor time at sunset. A man is carrying a young girl on his shoulders, while a woman stands beside them reaching out. The scene is set in a field with tall grass, illuminated by warm sunset light.
A pregnant woman standing in a field during sunset, with her hand on her chest and her other hand supporting her belly, wearing a white shirt and a beige bra.
A bride and groom holding hands on a grand staircase inside a luxurious building decorated for Christmas with a large Christmas tree at the top of the stairs.
Bride and groom smiling under a wedding veil, standing in front of a stained glass window.
A woman with dark hair wearing a white dress walking through a field of dry grass during sunset, holding a small stuffed animal.
A woman with long dark hair and gray sweater smiling and hugging a large German Shepherd dog in a snowy forest during a snowstorm.
A woman standing among green banana plants at sunset, looking thoughtful with her eyes closed.
White building with blue window frames and vibrant pink bougainvillea vines climbing along a white wall, with potted green plants and a cobblestone walkway.
A bullfighter with a red cape in a bullring with a brown dirt floor, with spectators sitting in the stands and a cloudy sky overhead.
A person hiking on a trail in a forested mountain landscape with tall pine trees, distant mountains, and a cloudy sky.
Two people in suits shaking hands on an elegant balcony inside a grand historic building with large arched windows, ornate architectural details, and decorative sculptures.
A woman walking along a sandy beach with palm trees in the background, wearing a hat and a yellow life jacket.
A waterfall cascading down a rocky cliff with snow and ice at the base, surrounded by evergreen trees.
Sunset over rocky cliffs with monasteries and lush greenery at Meteora, Greece.

Oily Horse: 

Underground SF Music Event

Photos were taken at an undisclosed location in San Francisco, California.

“Messi Night”

San Jose quakes vs Inter MIami   :  May 14th, 2025

Photos were taken at Paypal Park in San Jose,California.

Toyota GR86: 

“Hakone Edition”

Photos were taken at Mount Diablo State Park in Contra Costa County, California.

The image shows a table with three bottles of réglisse, a razor, a beaker with liquid, a lamp, a pile of papers, and a person holding a pen.

A project started with my wife, Lina. The focus of “The Little Things” is to capture intimate moments and life’s most cherished milestones, such as getting engaged, eloping in City Hall, or celebrating another year around the sun with your loved ones.