Hello & Welcome! 

Good design of anything is honest…and honesty is beautiful. It focuses on the details, and it is innovative. The way that I produce good design in a portrait is through connection and to reach into my experience studying not only light & form, but what makes women extraordinary and represents us in the truest way, in that particular moment.    

Portraits have the ability to transform a woman’s self image. They also have the ability to damage it if no value is put into the experience.  Self image is an important aspect to protect, especially for moms that take on more identities known to man. When we feel good about our self image, we move through our lives with ease & comfort.

I make portraits of women–mostly moms at various stages in their life with and without their children. Through acceptance and connection, I am able to capture what is honest, what never fades, and what is ultimately a small part of my subject since mothers are too complex to be only one sort of woman. 

I have a refined style of work that spans from classic to contemporary when I create maternity photos, beauty or children’s portraits.

As an art-director and design educator for over a decade, I have worked with a wide variety of people in order to achieve visions great and small. We are each unique and extremely dynamic in how we express ourselves. The studio experience I offer taps right into that.

I am originally from Austin and received my MFA in New York City, returning home in 2013 to start a family. I invite you to have a look around, and send me a note about you & your vision.

–Sylvia (Cici) Villada

  • “I’ve had many portraits done in my lifetime so far, and nothing has come close to what Sylvia can do. I was going through a tough time and needed to remind myself of who I am and what I am capable of inside and out. She was able to capture me in a way that will serve as a strong reminder of that. Thank you from the bottom of my heart Sylvia!!”

    L. Fulbright

  • “I had an amazing experience shooting with Sylvia! She guided me throughout the entire process and helped me to feel incredibly comfortable and confident.The photos she took were absolutely beautiful, she has an excellent eye for what will be most flattering. I would gladly recommend her to anyone looking for beautiful photos and a wonderful experience!”

    K. Ford

  • Sylvia was wonderful to work with! She is so calm and patient when it comes to babies! She allows you to feed your baby, calm them down, let them nap if need be cause they are so important to your photoshoot you want them nice and happy! Her studio is the perfect size to get hair and makeup done and take beautiful photos to treasure for a lifetime.”

    K. Metz

  • I had the most amazing session with Ms. Cici! Her professionalism and attention to detail were top-notch, and she made the whole experience so much fun. From the beginning, she put me at ease and helped me feel confident in front of the camera. Not only did she capture some of the most beautiful images of me for my branding, but she also inspired me to celebrate my own unique beauty and self as a woman. She has a way of bringing out the best in her subjects and truly celebrates women of all kind. I highly recommend for anyone looking for a talented and empowering photographer. You will not be disappointed!

    Chef Yna

  • Absolutely loved being clicked by Cici! She is such a wonderful person. She made the whole experience so easy and comfortable. I did my maternity shoot with her. This was my first pregnancy and was extra special. She made me feel beautiful during the whole shoot and her photographs speak for that! We decided to go with some traditional Indian clothes. She helped me choose the colors that would look best in the photographs, helped me decide what kind of make up would look best with the looks. I loved her guidance and was so happy to see the results. Plus the whole photoshoot was so fun. It was like talking to a friend! I'll always cherish these photographs.

    K. Kumar