Mariana Saldivar was born in Tuxtla Gutierrez, Chiapas. She completed a bachelor's degree in cinematography with a specialization in cinematography at the Centro de Capacitación Cinematografica (CCC) in Mexico City. She is a member of the International Collective of Female Cinematographers (ICFC).  In 2022, she was selected for the American Society of Cinematographers' "Vision Mentorship" educational program.  In 2023, she was invited to teach the workshop "Imagine Light" with the support of HD Labs, Sony, and ZEISS. In 2024, she was nominated for the Vilmos Zsigmond Film Festival in Hungary. She works in digital, film, and operational formats. She has been part of the camera department for 11 years, starting as an apprentice, assistant, focus puller, and operator, and eventually becoming director of photography.