Maple Searup was founded by two travel and design enthusiasts, Alex and Mars.

With over 10 years of experience in real estate, hospitality, and travel, we bring a deep understanding of each industry’s unique character. By blending creativity with industry insight, we create content that feels authentic, looks stunning, and drives meaningful results.

Text on a chalkboard with the words "About Us." in blue font.
  • A man with short light brown hair and blue eyes, wearing a maroon t-shirt, smiling and sitting in front of a brown upholstered headboard.

    Meet Alex (Richard)

    What started as a fascination with aerial views—and a push to overcome my fear of heights—grew into a passion for drone piloting. I love turning raw footage into cinematic stories and finding the details that bring a place to life. Organized and practical by nature, I make sure every project runs smoothly and every edit feels polished. Whether it’s capturing luxury villas or real estate projects, I care about delivering work that’s on time, on brief, and full of impact.

  • A woman with long blonde hair, wearing a beige knitted cardigan, a green top, and silver jewelry, sitting against a wooden panel background.

    Meet Mars (Martina)

    I’ve always been a creative at heart, and my love for travel naturally led me to photography—and eventually into the world of social media. With a passion for design and an eye for aesthetics, I enjoy everything from curating my feed to capturing the little details that make a space feel special. I put my energy into crafting visuals that spark emotion and tell a story. Collaborating with tourism boards and travel brands is where I feel most inspired, bringing both vision and heart to every project.

It all started in 2015 when we quit our 9-5 jobs, sold our Toronto townhome, packed up our belongings, and set off to Southeast Asia on a backpacking adventure. It was a bold move, leaving behind the security of a traditional career and embracing the unknown. As we explored different countries, indulging in the vibrant cultures and breathtaking landscapes, we couldn't help but feel a sense of liberation and inspiration.

A logo with the words "Our Story" in blue font and a black background.

Throughout our journey, we encountered fellow travellers who were also pursuing unconventional paths. We formed friendships, shared stories, and learned from each other's experiences. It was during this time that we realized our skill sets could be utilized in a whole new way. We started working remotely as copywriters, bloggers, photographers, videographers, consultants, and teachers, embracing the freedom of being digital nomads.

Time flew by as we immersed ourselves in various professions, honing our skills and gaining valuable experience. The idea of creating something that would bring together our passions and expertise came to us one day, like a serendipitous moment of clarity.

The origin of our cheeky business name stems from our deep-rooted connection to Canada, fused with two places that have shaped our lifestyle shift. One part Maple Syrup, a Canadian staple that symbolizes our roots and values. Mixed together with Southeast Asia and the sea, which represent exploration, freedom, and mindfulness.

Photography South East Asia

  • Three waterfalls in lush green tropical forests. The first waterfall has a narrow stream and a wooden bridge, the second is a wide cascade with mist, and the third is a tall, thin waterfall surrounded by dense foliage.
  • Three aerial images of a narrow turquoise waterway flanked by steep, green, rocky cliffs, with boats and lush trees visible in different sections of the river.
  • Vertical triptych of the Supertree Grove at Gardens by the Bay in Singapore, showing the trees during the day, sunset, and nighttime with colorful LED lights illuminating the structures.
  • A tropical outdoor restaurant with lotus pond, wooden walkways, lush greenery, and palm trees.
  • Silhouette of Angkor Wat temple with sunrise or sunset sky and pinkish-purple clouds, and reflected in water; monks walking through ancient stone ruins.
  • Scenes of busy city streets with motorcycles, scooters, pedestrians, and buildings, including a large multi-story building with commercial signs and outdoor terraces.
  • Composite image showing three cityscapes of Bangkok at sunset, with the top and bottom images featuring modern high-rise buildings and the middle image showcasing a historic temple complex with a large central pagoda.
  • Three cascading waterfalls in lush green tropical environments with vibrant flowers in the foreground.
  • A river narrow with muddy water, surrounded by dense green tropical vegetation and palm trees, with people in small wooden boats exploring the area.
  • Three-tiered waterfalls cascading over rocks and lush greenery in a tropical forest setting.
  • Top image shows people bathing in a temple pool during a religious ritual, with decorative offerings along the edge. Middle image features a intricately carved temple entrance surrounded by lush greenery. Bottom image displays a group of women in traditional Balinese attire, performing a cultural dance or ceremony with elaborate headdresses and gold jewelry.
  • Overhead view of a tropical island with steep green cliffs, a sandy beach, clear blue water, and small ocean waves.
  • A series of photos showcasing ancient red brick temples and pagodas in a vast landscape of fields and trees, with hot air balloons in the sky during sunrise or sunset.
  • A view from a boat on turquoise waters, headed toward limestone cliffs with lush vegetation, with a second perspective of the boat's bow, decorated with flowers and fabric, floating in the water.
  • Indoor garden with a large window waterfall and a glass-domed ceiling.
  • Three scenic images. The first shows a man walking through a green rice field with palm trees and a dense forest background. The second features a lush landscape with palm trees, a mountain in the background, and a partly cloudy sky. The third depicts a rural road with motorcyclists and pedestrians, surrounded by dense greenery and trees on both sides.
  • Three images showing people fishing from boats on a calm water body with houses and mountains in the background, using traditional fishing nets and boats.
  • Aerial view of rice paddies with farmers working in flooded fields, surrounded by green trees and limestone mountains in the background.
  • A collage of three scenes depicting different Asian street activities: a woman selling colorful paper lotus flowers near a waterway at dusk; a display of vibrant Chinese lanterns illuminated during a festival; two elderly men playing a traditional board game at night indoors.
  • Aerial view of a rural area with rice paddies, houses, and a river flowing through lush green landscape.
  • Scenes of a bustling floating market with women selling fruits and vegetables on boats in a rural area with palm trees and simple structures.
  • Photos of ancient temples and ruins, showcasing detailed stone carvings, towers, and symmetrical structures in a historical archaeological site.
  • A scenic rural landscape with mountains, houses, cattle resting near water, a farmer on a boat in a green field, and blue skies with clouds.
  • A temple surrounded by lush green trees, a pink lotus flower in a pond, and a monkey eating a large fruit in a forest setting.
  • A collage of three photos: the top shows a traditional horse-drawn cart with a canvas cover on a dirt road, the middle features a Buddhist monk sitting cross-legged on a stone ledge outdoors, and the bottom displays colorful traditional puppets hanging from strings at a cultural festival with people in the background.
  • A scenic view of a river with a wooden bridge leading to a restaurant area, accompanied by a close-up of elephants, including baby elephants, feeding on grass in a natural habitat.
  • A collage of three different scenes: the top shows a traditional Southeast Asian temple surrounded by trees; the middle depicts a stone shrine with steps and a pond in front, with lush greenery and a cloudy sky; the bottom features a dense, green forest with old trees and stone ruins.
  • Colorful historic shophouses with ornate architecture and vibrant facades on a city street in Singapore.
  • Three photos of ancient Buddhist temples and statues in Thailand. The first photo shows a brick temple with seated Buddha statues. The second photo depicts a face of Buddha embedded in tree roots. The third photo features multiple Buddha statues with a large stupa in the background and a ornate spire in the foreground.
  • Nighttime street scenes in an Asian city, featuring bright neon signs in Chinese and Thai characters, busy traffic including taxis and cars, with illuminated storefronts and pedestrians.
  • Three beach scenes: the first with a crowd at a colorful beach bar with umbrellas and bean bags, the second with a solitary person standing in the shallow ocean water during sunset, and the third with many people relaxing under multicolored umbrellas at a lively beach gathering.
  • Views of historic Angkor Wat temple complex in Cambodia with stone structures, statues, and lush green surroundings.
  • A rural village scene with dirt roads, trees, a bridge over a river, cattle walking along a muddy path, mountains in the background, and overcast skies.
  • Aerial view of rice paddies in three stages: dry fields, flooded terraces, and partly submerged fields with a distant horizon and clouds.
  • Lush green tropical landscape with a river, boats, and stairs leading up to houses, and a narrow brick walkway lined with plants and fences.
  • A collage of three different views of ornate, traditional Thai architecture including a turquoise gate with white fence, a temple with a golden roof and elaborate details, and a larger temple with a landscaped lawn in front.
  • Three tiers of lush green terraced rice paddies on a hillside, with tall palm trees and dense tropical vegetation surrounding the area.
  • Three scenes of Chinatown: the first is a street with outdoor restaurant seating and shops; the second is a red pagoda-style building with traditional Chinese architecture; the third is a busy market street decorated with red lanterns and shops selling souvenirs and clothing.
  • Collection of three street scenes from Vietnam: top shows a woman selling eggs and vegetables, middle depicts a narrow alley with residential buildings and train tracks, bottom features a busy shopping street with pedestrians and motorbikes.
  • Three-part collage of Batu Caves in Malaysia featuring a large golden Hindu statue of Lord Murugan at the entrance, a monkey sitting on a platform, and colorful steps leading up to temple entrances, surrounded by lush greenery.
  • Street scene in a Vietnamese town with colorful buildings, motorcycles, pedestrians, and political flags.
  • A series of ancient temples and pagodas in Bagan, Myanmar, with lush trees and distant mountains in the background.
  • A line of Buddhist monks in orange robes receiving alms from a woman sitting on a mat, walking along a sidewalk with a white wall in the background.
  • A collage of three landscape photos showing a rustic wooden bridge over greenery, a riverside house with trees, and a rural village with mountains in the background.
  • Nighttime images of Singapore's city skyline featuring Marina Bay Sands hotel with its iconic three towers and boat-shaped top, and surrounding high-rise buildings reflected in the water.
  • Three-part image: Top shows a weathered boat with an umbrella, middle features pineapples, bottom displays a cityscape with numerous buildings.
  • A collage of three tropical beach scenes: top shows a view of a bay with turquoise water, large rocks, and green islands; middle displays traditional wooden longtail boats decorated with colorful ribbons anchored near steep cliffs; bottom features a sandy beach with palm trees, rocks, and several boats on the water.
  • Three-part collage: the top shows a busy street with shops and pedestrians; the middle features a man in camouflage gear collecting fallen leaves; the bottom depicts a crowded city street with scooters, pedestrians, and storefronts in an Asian city.
  • Scenes from a vibrant town with colorful buildings, boats on a river, blooming flowers and street lanterns with people walking and cycling.
  • Aerial view of a lush green hill with a temple at the top, surrounding houses, a river curving through a valley, and mountains in the background under cloudy skies.
  • View of three different angles of a golden pagoda complex with visitors walking around, ornate structures, and temple architecture under a partly cloudy sky.
  • Aerial view of a multi-tiered waterfall surrounded by lush green tropical forest with turquoise pools.
  • A collection of Buddha statues and intricate golden decorative elements in a temple.
  • A collage of three images depicts a tropical beach with boats. The top image shows a traditional wooden boat anchored on white sand with turquoise water and clear blue sky. The middle image is an aerial view of multiple boats docked on calm, blue water. The bottom image shows a large boat stuck on a sandy beach, with shade from trees creating a dark shadow on the white sand and turquoise water.
  • Traditional Thai temple with ornate architecture, surrounded by palm trees and featuring a tiled roof and intricate golden decorations.
  • Aerial view of a coastal area with a beach, boats on the water, and lush green hills with Mount Agung in the background, likely in Bali, Indonesia.
  • Three-part collage of a tropical river scene, a close-up of a gecko, and a lush jungle with a river and wooden bridge.
  • Nighttime view of the Petronas Towers in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, with illuminated skyscrapers and a colorful lit fountain in the foreground.
  • Images of ancient temples with multiple stupas and spires, a woman walking in a field with a basket and hat, and a row of founded stupas with detailed carvings in a historic site between lush green hills.
  • White ornate temple with intricate details and reflection in water, surrounded by greenery.
  • A large indoor botanical garden with a waterfall and lush greenery inside a glass-domed structure.
  • Aerial view of a tropical island with lush green forests and a sandy beach with boats, traditional longtail boats anchored near the shore, towering limestone cliffs, and turquoise waters.
  • A collage of three images showcasing intricate and ornate Thai temple architecture, including golden statues, colorful mosaics, and traditional spires.
  • A triptych of photos featuring elements of a Thai temple and culture. The top photo shows a golden stupa with a horse-head decoration at its base, viewed from below. The middle photo depicts a young girl in traditional Thai attire and headdress, touching an intricately decorated wall. The bottom photo displays a golden stupa with a spire, surrounded by ornate structures and a cloudy sky.
  • Aerial view of a small rocky island with buildings and landscaping, surrounded by turquoise waters with waves crashing against the rocks.
  • Three images of tourist attractions; a street with cars and palm trees in an urban area, the Marina Bay Sands hotel in Singapore, and a busy shopping street with a mosque and colorful shops.
  • Triptych of scenic landscapes: Top shows a farmer plowing a rice paddy with birds, middle features a Balinese temple on a lake, bottom depicts a thatched hut near water with palm trees and birds.
  • Scenic view of terraced green fields on mountainside, a man with a buffalo walking along a trail, and a young boy sitting on an elephant in a lush, mountainous landscape.
  • Three scenes of cultural events with large crowds. The first shows women dressed in colorful traditional clothing sitting with backs to the camera, some with flowers in their hair, practicing prayer or meditation. The second depicts a large outdoor ceremony on a cliff with many people gathered around a circle, some in traditional attire, watching a dance or performance by men in shorts. The third features women in traditional white lace dresses carrying elaborate umbrellas decorated with flowers and intricate patterns during a festive parade or religious procession.
  • A street view with traditional houses, lush green plants, and a woman carrying a child on her back in a tropical setting, with a Laos flag hanging from one of the buildings.
  • Three street scenes in Vietnam with people riding motorbikes, selling fruit, and carrying flowers.
  • Scenic view of lush green rice terraces and pathways in a tropical landscape with small hut structures, palm trees, and a cloudy sky.
  • Aerial view of Kelingking Beach on Nusa Penida island featuring turquoise waters, sandy beach, and steep cliffs covered in lush greenery.
  • A performer dressed in traditional Balinese costume performing a dance, a woman and a girl walking on a street in Bali with a woman carrying a basket on her head, and an elderly man playing a bamboo flute, surrounded by Balinese cultural elements.
  • A collage of three beach scenes with lush green hills, palm trees, and clear blue water. The first scene shows a sandy shoreline with water and some boats. The second scene features a marina with boats and huts along the water's edge. The third scene depicts a sandy beach with palm trees and calm water.
  • Three photos of street markets with colorful stalls, archways, and signage, likely in a multicultural city with Asian influences.
  • Three photos showcasing ancient stone ruins overgrown with large, intertwining tree roots, taken in a jungle or forest setting.
  • Three buildings with classic architecture, a vintage red car, a tuk-tuk ride, and lush plants.
  • Three different views of lush, tropical gardens with diverse plants, trees, and pathways.
  • The first image depicts a colorful mural of a street vendor with vegetables and hanging produce. The second image shows a busy market with many people seated and walking around, under a roof with hanging red lanterns. The third image features a traditional outdoor stage with performers in costumes, surrounded by an audience and street vendors.
  • Scenic view of limestone karsts and boats on Halong Bay, Vietnam with people rowing small boats, large cruise ships, and tourists exploring the bay.
  • A collage of three images featuring ornate Thai temples and sculptures. The top image shows a golden lion statue with intricate details, holding a scepter, in front of a colorful temple wall. The middle image captures a temple roof with elaborate gold and red decorations against a bright blue sky with scattered clouds. The bottom image displays a temple entrance or window with gold and jewel-toned embellishments.
  • Photos of a turquoise swimming pool surrounded by lush green trees and plants, with a large tree leaning over the pool and a swing hanging from it, different angles shown.
  • A set of three beach scenes including a wooden swing on the sand, a wooden pier leading to a thatched-roof hut over blue-green water, and a beach with a pier and huts surrounded by hills and clear sky.
  • Three street scenes: The first shows a busy pedestrian market street with shops and signs, the second depicts a flower vendor at an outdoor market with colorful flowers, and the third features a bustling street with market stalls, people, and tuk-tuks.
  • Three landscape photos: the first shows a river with a wooden bridge and a lush green forest, the second features two elephants walking through a shallow river in a forest, and the third depicts a wide river with a forested hillside and a boat docked near the shore.
  • Three separate scenes of traditional Vietnamese fishing: the first shows a fisherman standing on a wooden boat casting a fishing net, the second depicts a view from another boat on a calm river with other boats docked, and the third features a fisherman standing on a boat holding a long pole with a conical fishing trap nearby.
  • Three vertical landscape photos of Vietnam's countryside, featuring lush greenery, steep cliffs, and a river with boats.
  • Scenes of a floating market with boats on a canal lined with stilt houses and vendors selling goods, including fruits and crafts.
  • A triptych of ancient temples in a lush, foggy landscape, with layers of trees and mountains in the background.
  • Three separate scenes showing a person harvesting in the countryside, a traditional temple with a woman in front, and a river with boats and greenery.
  • Three images of a tropical beach with boats, clear blue water, white sand, and lush greenery, including boats anchored near the shore and a village with huts and trees.
  • Three photos of lush green rice fields and farms in a tropical setting, with palm trees, small structures, and mountains in the distance.
  • Images of the Ngong Ping 360 cable car ride in Hong Kong, showing the cable car suspended over lush green mountains, with views of the ocean and surrounding islands in the distance.
  • A triptych of photos of Borobudur Temple in Indonesia: top photo shows the temple's stupas with mountains in the background, middle photo shows detailed stone carvings on the temple walls, bottom photo shows the front view of the temple with stairs leading up to the main structure.
  • A collage of three nighttime cityscape photos: the top photo shows Wat Arun temple in Bangkok decorated with orange and gold lights against a pink and purple sky; the middle photo captures the Golden Gate Bridge in San Francisco from inside a shopping mall with cars on the bridge; the bottom photo features a skyline with tall modern buildings illuminated at night in a city, likely Bangkok.

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